The people of the Georgian town Gori, and those residing in its surroundings, love Czech people. We are famous and popular there. Why? The home care project, funded by Czech Caritas. You can contribute to it right now, through the Three Kings’ fundraising program. 

In Georgia, 257, 000 people live below the poverty line. They do not have money for medical care, as the health insurance system in Georgia is quite complicated. As such, it can be  too expensive for the majority of the population. Confirmed by Nina Valishivili form Georgian Caritas seniors are in a precarious situation because they do not even qualify for the health insurance.

The issue in Georgia is not assistance but rather medical and postoperative care.  The Georgian Caritas employs one doctor and six nurses to help hundreds of local people in medical need.

The Georgian Charity operates in Karaleti, near the town of Gori, where, incidentally, Josif Stalin was born, a fact Georgians boast about to this day. The Charity has made strides in terms of helping the local population. Tamazi, a Georgian man, recently underwent leg surgery and his prospects were not very good. Without the help of the nurses and the doctor, he would have died. The state had in fact paid for the surgery, but he was send home from the hospital soon after the procedure.

„My surgery had been paid (by state), because my family live below the poverty line, but I do not have money even for the bandages. One change of dressing would cost me 15 lari“, Tamazi says sadly. For comparison’s sake, the monthly pension in Georgia is roughly 100 lari. Tamazi continues, „My wife makes money by digging excavations and garden for other people in Karaleti. She is doing seasonal work, depending on what is needed“. The Georgian Charity was able to provide for Tamazi’s postoperative needs.

Georgi, another beneficiary, underwent a leg amputation. Following his surgery, he was diagnosed with diabetes. His son tells that he was a great tamada before his condition, meaning he was a charismatic toastmaster. During a lavish Georgian dinner, those at the table raise their glasses it’s the most witty and skilful of the group makes the toast. This was Georgi. Today, 78-year-old Georgi is condemned to his bed. He has difficulties hearing, so communication with him is very hard. His family fled the territory in the mid-90s, like a quarter of a million other Georgians.

You can support care services in and around Gori, ensured by Caritas Czech Republic, through on-going Three Kings’ fundraising programs. The profits are used to finance both domestic and foreign projects of Caritas Czech Republic.

The article was taken from the pages of Czech Radio.

You can hear the full contribution from the magazine „Of Course“, prepared by Magdaléna Trusinová. The topic is „How the day care, mediated by Caritas Czech Republic, is operated in Georgina town Gori and its surroundings.“