St Gregory's Foundation: Aid to Russia and the Former Soviet Union

Haven for street children in Tbilisi

Summary

There are reckoned to be about 1,500 street children in Georgia, mostly concentrated in the capital, Tbilisi.

On the streets they are at risk of physical and sexual abuse, and of resorting to crime in their struggle to survive.  If arrested, they will most likely go to prison, and their outlook becomes bleaker than ever.

But there is an alternative.  Mkurnali, a local charity, provides an alternative to prison: a successful rehabilitation course.  Only 8 of the 200 young people to have lived at Mkurnali and learn a trade have re-offended.  Most are living as honest and productive members of the community, and many have used their experience to help others.

Activities

Mkurnali provides life-lines to these kids, rescuing them where possible from police stations and the courts, and giving them support to get their lives back on track.

With Mkurnali's help:

  • Around 50 street children per year are given appropriate support from a lawyer and a teacher or social worker as they go through the courts.
  • 45 street children are given training and employment in Mkurnali workshops
  • 100 street children are given temporary accommodation during the year ad more are fed
  • Thanks to long-term support, 35 street children are now living independently.  15 have married and are successfully raising families of their own.

St Gregory's Foundation has provided equipment for the enamel workshop and the printer-cartridge re-filling business.  More recently, we have made a substantial grant to help Mkurnali to buy a new house after they faced eviction.

How you can help

We are currently trying to help Mkurnali by financing the lawyer, who attends court with the street children to ensure that they are adequately defended.  The cost is £500 per month for salary and travel expenses.  We have already raised £3,300, so we need £2,700 to make this happen.  Can you help?

Donate now

Sign up to our Friends of Mkurnali mailing list

E-mail:
Name:
UK registered charity: 1002469
Home page • News • Disability • Life Skills • Building Community • Elderly • Get involved • E-cards • Donate • Contact Us