You hugged my children and held them to your heart

- Mom, can we buy everything today? - asks little Lile.

- Yes, dear, - Marika smiles.

- Do we need a cart?

- Even two or three carts!

- Mom, let's go where the chocolates are.

- Okay, sweetheart.

- Follow me, Mom, I know where they are. I want these, we will take a lot home. And Denis will eat them too. Denis wants chocolate too, doesn't he, Mom? We need cookies too. I know where they are, let's go, mom!

Lile really enjoyed her big shopping day. On that day, the Meladze family left Batumi "Smart" supermarket with five packs of diapers, a substantial supply of hygiene and cleaning products, and food. All that thanks to you, our dear readers!

For more than a year, Marika has been raising her young children - Lile and Denise - alone. It happened so that her husband ended up behind bars. Not only has the family completely lost their income, livelihood, but one-year-old Denis also has serious health problems (see our previous post: https://chernovetskyifund.ge/en/projects/634-meladze/).

Marika was completely lost, so she addressed the Chernovetskyi Fund for help. We learned what happened to her next from our conversation.

Marika: It is such a difficult time now, due to the pandemic, lots of people are left without work. Every family has its own problems. I did not expect such attention, warmth, participation... the fact that our problems may be important to other people. Previously, my husband used to solve all the problems and provide the family. But how can you dare ask strangers for that? But when a person is left alone, he needs support. There are moments in life when you are weak, defenseless and extremely vulnerable. And we all need care, attention, respect - you know, at such a moment you especially need that. And the readers gave me and my children such a feeling. It’s like you hugged us and held us to your heart

  I am grateful to you that for a while I stopped worrying about money, thinking how to keep my children. I stopped being nervous that diapers are running out. This problem with diapers used to arise at the end of every week. Denise needs three diapers per day, and Lile needs one at night. It would be great to completely wean her off diapers, but I have not managed so far. I still have two large packages left, and I don't have to worry for now.

I didn’t buy any sweets for Lile for about a year - I used to buy only the most essential things. What could I do? And then I suddenly told Lile that we were going shopping to Smart supermarket. Lile got up early, she couldn’t wait to go with me. A friend of our family took us there by his car and then we brought all the purchases home. We had a very long shopping list, we went through different sections. It was such a holiday for a child! Such joy! Most of all she was interested in the confectionery department, of course. Although she offered sweets to my mother-in-law and me later, we did not take any. Let the child rejoice it from the heart, because for so long she has been deprived of such joys. But Denis doesn't eat sweets.  

-  Did you make new acquaintances, friends after our publication?

Marika: Most of those who helped us preferred to stay anonymous. I am grateful to everyone who responded, and I would be glad to express my gratitude to them personally. May our joy be rewarded to you hundredfold!

  After the post was published, I met a woman named Maya, who gave me very good advice: to visit David Tatishvili’s clinic in Tbilisi. As you know, my son Denise has cerebral palsy. We took free rehabilitation courses three times, but it was all in vain. At the Tatishvili clinic, we were prescribed medications and massages, which definitely have a good effect on my baby. We keep following these recommendations and go to massages to Ozurgeti.

- Do you involve Lile in taking care of Denise?

Marika: My daughter is so funny. Talking to his brother from the height of her three years. As if she was already an adult. When I bathe him, she says: "Don't cry baby.” She passes me his clothes, a towel, entertains him with phone games while I cook.

- Lile, could I talk to you for a minute?

(She approaches, looks curiously).

- Can you change diapers to Deny?

Lile: No, ma’am. But I know when his diaper is full or when he has already done something.

- Do you like the new gas stove? Do you help your mommy to cook?

Lile: I used to store my toys there, but mommy doesn’t let me do that anymore.

Marika: It’s true! When they just brought the stove, and it was not yet installed, Lile used the oven as a cabinet for her toys. Now she has lost this opportunity (laughs).

  But cooking takes less time now. Of course, with our meager budget the culinary delights are out of question. I make just simple, affordable meals, as healthy as possible. Fried and boiled potatoes, cauliflower, soups, cereals. After shopping in "Smart” we even bought meat several times.

Lile loves watching me in the kitchen. She brings a chair, sits down with a doll and comments my actions to her doll: “You see what steam comes from the pan, it will be ready soon, and we will eat. Do you want to eat raw pasta? What a silly one!”

  I don't bother with the gas bottle anymore. You saved me from the hassle and fuss.

- Our post is like an alarm bell - everyone can hear it. Was there any feedback from the local authorities?

Marika: Nothing specific for us so far. As socially unprotected, we receive a food ration for each family member - rice, tomato, sunflower oil, etc. Things used to be better before. We could take lunch every day. Serving per person was 250 grams. Lile liked that food: mashed potatoes, cutlets, lobio, pilaf, pea soup ... Now, because of the coronavirus, we get only rations.

 I have good news: a month ago Denis was entitled to a pension. They should have done it long ago. To be honest we haven’t got money yet, but it's a matter of time.

- What do you need most right now? The project is ongoing. Our readers can join it and make their input.

Marika: Everything is okay with appliances now. I will be glad and grateful if someone has an opportunity to help us with food, diapers, wet wipes, medications. We are not picky in food. Cereals, cookies. Lile will be happy.

  I can't go to work yet. We need to take my son for the examinations, massages - help my boy, relieve his and our suffering. He is in my arms almost all the time.

  My husband is aware of the events taking place in our life. He is very much worried that he himself cannot help us. He is deeply moved that so many people showed their empathy, did not leave us in trouble. Lile doesn't know that her dad is serving time. She thinks he left for Tbilisi on business. We told her so as not to traumatize the child. She keeps asking me the same question: "When will daddy come?"

***

Marika is only 22 years old, but she managed to face many problems - to find out how to keep her family, fight for her son's health ... Life is unpredictable, none of us knows what awaits them next in this journey. Some of us get a heavy burden to carry. Today Marika has had such a test. Our support helped her to perk up, gain strength for further struggle, to complete her mission - being a mother. This wonderful young woman takes a punch of fate alone, she is responsible for two little angels. Let us support her - with our warm words, with our deeds. Let’s feel our heart is filling with joy. Isn't it great to be a cause, a source of happy changes in the life of another person?! It’s a kind of magic, which all of us are able to make. Try to. Call Marika. See the Meladze phone number below.

***

If you have a heavy heart because of everyday problems or unresolved issues, as a distraction just see our posts on Facebook, or better dial the number of any of our beneficiaries. Call them and you will forget about your problems. Because they are nothing in comparison with the problems of those to whom you opened your good heart and came to help in the most difficult moment of their life.

Our problems are noting if compared... Here are true misfortunes, in front of your eyes! Just thank the Lord for what you have. You are the happiest person in the world! Remember this and help those in need.

Unfortunately, problems of this and other families do not end here and now... Therefore, from time to time, look through the stories of unhappy people on our website, talk to them. Every time you dial the Phone of an unhappy person, God is blessing you! For sure! Go on helping these families! This is the best service to the Lord!

Your kindness is a chance for yourself to be happy in everything!

Friends, thanks again to all!

Our Fund’s accounts are:

#GE15TB7194336080100003

#GE42LB0115113036665000

#GE64BG0000000470458000

(purpose: The Meladze family)

You can also transfer money from our website. https://chernovetskyifund.ge/en/projects/634-meladze/

It is also possible to transfer money from ОРРА, TBCpay and ExpressPay terminals. Find our Fund under "Charity" section (You can read more about rights and responsibilities of the Fund following the link https://goo.gl/GY2Gus).

One call saves life - 0901 200 270.

Let's believe that helping others, we take care of our own souls and draw closer to Lord through the suffering that we share with others!