“Woe is me, woe! - Nana sobs inconsolably. - I would endure everything, any difficulties, if only my son Gela was healthy! Look around, we have nothing at all, we are beggars! One could somehow put up with hunger, if not for this terrible disease! "

Nana and Zviad are doing everything they can with the last of their strength to put the children on their feet... They take Gela to the doctors... But they just can't cope alone! Today they really need the help of kind compatriots, the generous Georgian people, our help, friends!

- Nana, tell me, please, about your son Gela. What is he sick with?

Nana: He often has terrible attacks... He falls down, turns black and wriggles with seizures. That's just terrible!

- Has he been sick since birth?

Nana: No, Gela was born a perfectly healthy boy. Since we don’t have our own home, we often have to move. Once, when I was tidying up the first floor, and the children were playing on the second floor, he suddenly fell from the balcony, onto the outer staircase... I can't imagine how this could have happened. He was 2 years old then. We were very much scared and immediately took him to hospital, but no serious injuries were found. Two weeks later, at five o’clock in the morning, he had his first attack. God, how scary it was! (Cries.) The child was literally dying in front of me. Now the attacks happen to him at different intervals - sometimes once a month, and sometimes three times a day. The doctors can't tell me anything definite. Yes, this is epilepsy ... But what should we do? How should we live? Nobody knows whether it is possible to cure him or not. All our hope is the Lord.

- What is the most difficult thing in raising a sick child?

Nana: The hardest thing is that you never know when the next attack may happen ... We live in constant fear. Children are also very scared and worried about their brother. And I am unable to help my baby ...

- Nana, what would you advise mothers in the same dire situation as yours?

Nana: The only thing I would like to advise is to be patient. Because, our children really need us. They can't do without us. Children must feel our love and know that they can rely on us ...

– What is the main problem of your family at the moment? How exactly can we help you?

Nana: The main thing now is the health of my Gela, of course. He constantly needs medications, examinations, consultations with doctors. You need a lot of money for that... And we live in complete poverty. I have six more children, besides him, all of them need food, clothes, school supplies ... And we have no money even for the most basic things.

As we don’t have our own home, we have to move constantly. We live just in terrible conditions. Look, nine of us huddle in two tiny rooms now. There is no refrigerator, no washing machine, no gas stove ... The younger ones constantly need diapers, and I have no money to buy them ...

- What is your monthly income? What do you live on?

Nana: Only the social allowance of 660 GEL. No other benefits. You probably know, there is unemployment in the village, so my husband takes any side job, he even collects scrap metal, but this is just nothing when there are so many children in the family.

– What do your children eat? What is their everyday diet?

Nana: Potatoes, potatoes and potatoes again. They have long forgotten what meat, fruits, vegetables and cheese are. They don't even ask for anything. They know that there is no money.

- Why did you yourself happen to live in a rented apartment?

Nana: When my husband was 10 years old, their house burned down. He, his parents and sister found themselves in the street. My father-in-law died long ago, and my mother-in-law died of cancer 15 years ago... His sister is married, she also has young children, and her life is very difficult ...

- And what about your family? Can your parents or relatives help you in any manner?

Nana: Oh, no... My mom is very sick, she has a goiter, my father lost his job, my brother and sister can hardly make ends meet. I have three nephews, everybody is experiencing a hard time...

–Tell me, please, how did you meet your husband?

Nana: I grew up in Samegrelo, then my whole family came to Tbilisi to work. To be more exact, to Lilo, where I met my future husband. I immediately liked him. We dated for only a week, and then he proposed me to become his wife, and I agreed. I thought it was the love of my life... And you know, I do not regret. Having gone through so many troubles and hardships, we only made our family stronger, we support each other in every possible way.

- And how did you imagine your future when you just started a family?

Nana: You know, when you are young you see everything through rose-colored glasses. I have never aspired to wealth. I wanted to live like everyone else, to have a quiet family life, a lot of kids ... My husband used to work in Lilo, and then the shop where he worked closed, since then we have been floating in limbo without a permanent income. The Lord gave us wonderful children, but the illness of our son Gela overtook us unexpectedly and made our situation very difficult.

- We are so sorry! Did you address anybody for help? The local government, for instance?

Nana: Yes, we have to keep asking, writing statements... But it makes little sense. For instance, a year ago, my daughter Tamari had an accident. She was hit by a moped while she was cycling. It resulted in a broken leg, an operation ... Now she needs a second surgery to remove the plate, which they put into her leg then. But they refused funding us. The child suffers ... When it's cold, her leg hurts, but I don't know where to seek for help ...

– What do you believe in? In what do you see the salvation?

Nana: Only in God! We used to go to church quite often, but now it has become difficult because of the babies. I always light a candle at home and ask God with my own words to give health to my Gela and well-being to all of my children.

– Do you believe in the kindness of strangers?

Nana: Yes, I do, you know, otherwise I just would not have addressed you! I read the posts on your Facebook page, you help so many miserable people! God bless you! Goodness never disappears unnoticed...You are a great example and proof that Georgian people are always ready to help their neighbors who are in trouble. That is why I decided to contact you, you are my last hope!

- Let’s talk about your children. Do they go to school and kindergarten?

Nana: Temuri is still a baby, he is 11 months old. Gela, as you know, does not talk, and because of his illness he does not go to kindergarten. What if an attack happens there? The elder ones - Saba (6-year-old), Nika (7-year-old), Tamari (10-year-old), Ziran (13-year-old) and Levan (16-year-old) - go to school, of course, and by the way, they study well. Each of them is talented in their own way: Nika is good at drawing, and Tamari is an excellent student, she is very promising... But they had to miss a whole semester last year. School laptops went out of order very quickly, and we don't have a computer.

- Can I talk to them, please? Tamari, you are the only girl, you have six brothers. How do you live with them, do you quarrel?

Tamari (10-year-old): Nope! What are you talking about! No one will ever dare to offend me! I have so many defenders, especially Levan (16-year-old). He is the strongest and most courageous, I am so proud of him ... You know, he will be a soldier, a defender of our motherland!

- Is it true, Levan, have you already made a decision?

Levan (16-year-old): Yes, after school I will join the army, and then let’s see ... Now I am in the eleventh form. There is still one year left.

- You boys, Saba, Nika and Ziran, have you already decided where you are going to study after graduating from school?

Saba (6-year-old): I will be a soldier too, like my older brother!

Nika (7-year-old): Me too!

Ziran (13-year-old): I want to be a doctor! I will find a medicine that will cure my brother Gela ...

- And who does Tamari want to be?

Tamari: I want to become a police officer and catch criminals!

- Wow, what an interesting choice, it’s getting obvious that you have six brothers! Do you help your mom, Miss future detective?

Tamari:  Of course, it's very hard for mom, she has to cradle Temuri in her arms all the time, and Gela is sick. I do my best to sweep and wash the dishes. I am already quite big! But when Gela falls down on the floor, turns black and the seizures start, it becomes so scary ... It seems as if he is dying! I run away and cry, so that my mother would not see it ...

- What yummies do you like?

"Sausages!" - Saba, Nika, Tamari answer with one voice.

Saba: They are so delicious! Sometimes mommy buys some and divides it between us ... But she has a debt in the store, and they no longer give us anything but bread.

- Guys, what are you dreaming about?

Saba: About sausages!

Nika: And I dream about cakes and a bicycle too!

Ziran: What cakes are you talking about, we need a computer, because if school stays closed again, we will be left without lessons!

Tamari: And I do not want Gela to fall any longer, not to hurt himself ... (One could barely hear her voice and she lowers her eyes.) And sometimes I dream about a tablet, but just sometimes...

- Let’s ask your mother what she is dreaming about.

Nana: I only dream that all my children were healthy, so that my husband and I could put them on their feet! Despite anything...

–What, do you think, you need most in your home?

Nana: We will be grateful for any help ... My children are constantly malnourished, I cannot buy them diapers ... We do not have enough beds, the children sleep one upon other, clothes are stacked in piles because there is no wardrobe. I’m not talking about home appliances ... Doing all the washing by hand for 9 people, 7 of whom are children is a real nightmare. A washing machine is vital for me. There is no refrigerator, no TV ... I cook on a small gas bottle. And the children really need a computer to study...

I know that your Fund has many good friends, they are all merciful and compassionate people. I really hope that our misfortune will not leave them indifferent and they will take my pain and the pain of my children to their hearts!

***

Friends, the Shengelia family is in dire straits. They really need our help and support. Seven children are constantly malnourished, wear rags, and are deprived of the opportunity to learn and develop. They are just deprived of a normal childhood, but we know very well that children are the future of our country!

Their son Gela (4-year-old) has epilepsy. The child constantly needs medications, treatment and medical consultations.

The Shengelia family needs any help: food, diapers, beds, a washing machine, a refrigerator, any household appliances. The children do not have a computer, and they cannot attend on-line lessons.

You can visit the Shengelia family yourself and provide them with whatever help you can. Their address is: Dedoplistskaro, 63 Tavisupleba Str

Or you can call poor Nana and cheer her up with your kind words! Phone: 555 24 25 21.

Please repost our publication. Let your friends know about the grief of this family! It’s extremely important!

God gives us chances to care about people who are unable to take care of themselves. Do not pass by someone else's trouble! Those poor people are sent to us by heaven so that we could prove not by words, but in deeds that we trust in God!

Friends, there is one more request - if you know about the misfortune of a neighbor or friend do a godly deed, drop us an email at: office-fsp@fsp.ge

Our Fund’s accounts are:

#GE15TB7194336080100003

#GE42LB0115113036665000

#GE64BG0000000470458000

(purpose: Shengelia family)

You can also transfer money from our website.

 It is also possible to transfer money from Nova Technology, 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 ).

We have already helped many disadvantaged people! Let’s support the Shengelia family as no one is immune to bad luck! And who knows, maybe someday we ourselves will need help of strangers!

One call saves life - 0901 200 270.