Empowering foster children in Georgia: a journey of personal growth and career development

In an initiative called “Empowering Foster Children”, Tamar and Nino, two enthusiastic EU4Youth Alumni, have come together to make a difference in the lives of 15-18-year-old foster children in Tbilisi, Georgia. The project helped equip these young people with essential skills, and to ignite their passion for personal development and career advancement.

Tamar and Nino organised a wide range of activities, ranging from information sessions to meetings on topics like career development, leadership, public speaking, Erasmus+, and the European Solidarity Corps. Recognising the significance of cultural awareness in shaping personal growth, the project also included visits to theatres, museums, and movie screenings, providing the foster children with valuable exposure to different experiences and perspectives.

By honing the children’s soft skills and preparing them for their first career steps, Tamari and Nino sought to instill confidence and determination in each participant. The ultimate ambition was to help these teenagers discover their true potential and build the foundations towards a successful future.

As the project progressed, so too did the participants’ motivation. With each event, the foster children became more driven to expand their knowledge and skills, eagerly embracing the opportunities for growth.

“I’m really glad to have the opportunity to be a part of this project and its activities,” said 17-year-old Anna. “All of them were productive, but I was particularly impressed by our meeting with the United Nations Youth Delegate of Georgia, David Esatia. He really inspired to follow in his footsteps one day.”

Some of the youngsters expressed a keen interest in joining volunteer projects under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). Tamar and Nino were quick to support these aspirations, helping them to find suitable projects that matched their talents and expectations. Witnessing their enthusiasm, it became clear to the two young Alumni behind the project that it had sparked a genuine desire in these young minds to seize opportunities and make a positive impact on the world.

Tamar expressed her delight, saying, “From the very beginning, we tried to make our initiative as engaging as possible for our beneficiaries to make them fully involved in the activities. According to their feedback, I believe that they gained valuable knowledge and experience from our project. That makes me really happy and very proud.”

Nino adds: “This project allowed me to play a role in raising awareness in foster children about the possibilities that exist to develop their future careers. Everyone should be able to know how to build a successful life. We, as a community, should work harder to turn this into a reality. And I am glad I was part of this process.”

The programme also encouraged the beneficiaries to actively participate in their community and engage socially. By teaming up with students from Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University and with youth from various Georgian cities, the foster children had the opportunity to expand their perspectives and make new connections. Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University played a proactive role in the project, aimed at providing essential assistance and valuable resources to children in foster care. The initiatives were orchestrated in collaboration with the university’s social sciences faculty and its professors.

The “Empowering Foster Children” initiative bears witness to the transformative power of mentorship, education, and community engagement. By nurturing the dreams and aspirations of these young individuals, the initiative has sowed the seeds of a promising future that they have the power to shape.