"I am starving ... Half a loaf of bread is all my food for today," poor Madonna sobs. - Sometimes it’s impossible to tolerate pain, I can’t describe it by words. But what can I do, I endure it with the last bit of strength."

  The poor woman clings to life and begs us to ease her unbearable existence.

The state assigned Madonna with the status of socially unprotected person. The woman is begging. She says that she sometimes stays hungry all day. There is not enough money either for medications or food. Besides, Madonna suffers from various diseases. She needs warmth, food and medications like no one else.

We came to visit Madonna. She burst into tears as soon as she saw us. She grabbed my hand and cried out through her tears: “How glad I am that God does not leave me in trouble ... So, you have come! Now I have hope. Will you help me? "

It is impossible to remain indifferent to Madonna's pleas. We talked to her. The woman told us what bothers her so making her life unbearable. “It’s not life,” she says, “but existence. How can this be called life? " - She circles her hands around a small room with rotten wallpaper.

- Madonna, what problems have you faced and what kind of help do you need?

Madonna: I never thought that I would ever live to see this: I’m in complete poverty, without food, without my own home, unable to buy medications. The diseases I suffer can kill me or, even worse, make me disabled and helpless. God forbid! I have a pain in the spine, which makes it difficult for me to move. The pain spreads throughout the whole body. Every bone hurts. My legs and arms go numb. Sometimes I can't even move because my muscles seem to be stiff. It’s because of varicose veins and rheumatism. Besides that, my breast festers. I need to see doctor once a month so that he can drain the pus. But I have no money for that. Every day I have to endure this suffering ...

- What is the reason of your breast disease? Is this an oncological disease?

Madonna: My late husband somehow got into a fight with his friends. I stepped between them, and the blow hit my chest. It hurt for a couple of days, but then it passed. However, 14 years ago, I started having severe pains in my breast. The doctors said that the blow damaged the main artery, and as a result, the disease developed and turned into oncology. Now the breast is festering. It constantly needs medications and procedures. Besides that, it needs a serious surgery intervention. First of all, I don’t have money for it, and secondly, will I survive it? The doctor says that since there is no money for the operation, then the pus must be pumped out at least once a month. Otherwise, the consequences might be fatal.

- How long have you been away from work?

Madonna: The last two years. Before that, I worked for over 17 years. I was engaged in cleaning. I worked without sparing myself to keep my children. But when the pain became unbearable, I had to quit my job.

- By the way, what about your children and family?  As far as I know, you have two children: son Gia (40 years old) and daughter Nino (39 years old). And your spouse has died. How did you meet your husband? How did you start a family?

Madonna: It was not a love story. I got married when I was 18. My husband was already 25 then. It was not a love marriage. Our parents made the decision for us, and we got married. It turned out, that my husband was a drug addict. And he also drank. We lived together for 13 years, but I never loved him. He couldn't see himself being tied down to his family and children. He lived his own life. All the time he went somewhere on vacation with his friends. He was an idle person. But my mother-in-law was an amazing woman! She always supported me in everything. Life with my spouse was a real hell. Just imagine: he comes home drunk, after having a good time with his friends, starts screaming, shouting, breaking everything. And I cover the children with a warm blanket and take them to the basement under our house.

- Madonna, sorry for reminding you the events of those times. But why did you take your children to the basement?

Madonna: Because the children were getting sick. Can you imagine the psyche of the children, which is so fragile? It’s night, the children are sleeping. And then their father comes and smashes the whole house. The children start crying hysterically, panicking, shaking all over. So, I wrap them up and take them to the basement away from my crazy husband. It was quiet and peaceful there. So we sat in the basement, waiting for my husband to fall asleep or calm down.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I found out that my husband had hepatitis caused by heavy drinking. The doctors advised me to have an abortion. But I refused. I told the doctors that I would carry the baby no matter what happens. And you know, God had mercy, my son was born healthy. And when I became pregnant with my daughter for the second time, I was seized by a strong fear: what will the child be like her father being a drug addict? My husband was constantly under drugs and alcohol. But, thank God, my Nino was born healthy too. God saved her!

One day, my husband got poisoned with moonshine. Late in the evening he felt unwell. And in the morning, he became quite sick. I tried to help him. However, it was too late. He died in my arms.

- What was your life like after the death of your spouse?

Madonna: It was terrible! It felt like I was being crucified day after day. My mother-in-law and I drifted apart after my husband’s death. Each of us had our own grief. And I decided to move to my parents’ place. My mom and dad were poor. So, it was very difficult for all of us. I had some temporary jobs - here and there. I had to take out a mortgage to keep the children. By this time, my son entered the Polytechnic Institute to self-financed study. I couldn't pay for his studies. Then my son left the university and went to Russia for work. He was involved in house repairs. But nine years later, my son was deported and had to return to Georgia. We could not pay the mortgage, so we sold our house in Kutaisi. That's how we found ourselves in Tbilisi, we moved here, rented an apartment. A couple of years ago there was a fire there, and all my meager property burned down. I was left with nothing! Then I moved to this little room, where I live now. So, I’m eking my meager living out here. 

- What about you children? Do they help you?

Madonna: My daughter is married, she lives in Kakheti. It is not easy for them either, they are a low-income family. And my son lives with his friend. He rents an apartment there. He has no permanent work now. He survives like the rest of us do. How can he help me? I feel sorry for my children!

- We are so sorry and we see how hard it is for you. Did you address anybody for help? The local authorities, for instance?

Madonna: I did it so many times! I wrote so many letters to all the authorities! The Townhall pays me 200 GEL, which I pay for the den where I live. Ministry of Health gives me allowance of 60 GEL. Can you imagine? They give me those pennies, just 60 GEL. And how to live on them when you need food, medications, doctor’s consultations? I can't even afford basic hygiene products! I also go to the social canteen. Every day I bring half loaf of bread from there. And now I only have half of this bread and one apple at home. Is this enough not to die of hunger? To be honest, I am just hungry. But there is no food, and I go hungry all day. I will die like that, I won't last long.

– Madonna, what do you believe in? In what do you see the salvation? Do you believe in God?

Madonna: I believe in God and believe in the kindness of people! Because it is kindness that brings us closer to the Lord. There were strangers who helped me so many times, sometimes with food, or with money ... I am very grateful to all of them!

- Why did you decide to address our Fund?

Madonna: I have heard so many good things about your Fund, so many people are grateful to you! I believe that you will help me, that kind and empathic people will respond! Your Fund gives people hope for tomorrow. Thank you very much for this!

– What is your biggest dream?

Madonna: What can you dream about when you are in the darkness all the time, and you can't get out of this tunnel? The only thing I still dream about is to live at least a little more. I believe that your Fund and kind people are my salvation.

– What do you need most in your home?

Madonna: I only have one saucepan and three plates at home. I have no appliances except for my old TV. I warm myself with a homemade gas stove. And the kitchen has just one cupboard, which stands outside. There is nothing else. The toilet is in the yard. The bed is not mine, neither the blankets - strangers gave me all those things. Most importantly, I need food and medications!

- What would you like to tell our readers?

Madonna: Believe in God and hope for the kindness of people. Probably, this will save all of us. Be a support for each other! I believe in the kindness of people. I believe and hope for your Fund!

***

   Friends, we cannot remain indifferent and fail to help the poor unfortunate woman! Pray for Madonna! Let each of us imagine that she could be our mother, whose life was not very successful. And now, in her old age, she is starving. She has nothing to eat. 

  Let’s support her, let’s show our mercy to this misfortunate woman. You can visit Madonna in person and provide her help. She will be happy! Call Madonna and ask her what she needs, cheer her up and support her, let her feel that she is not alone and that we will not leave her in trouble. It’s extremely important!

  Her address is: Tbilisi,  7a Chkondideli Str. Call her and cheer her up: Phone: 558 23 54 36.

  Friends, Chernovetskyi Charity Fund is starting a charity campaign to help Madonna Lomidze. As you know, our Fund never stops on ad-hoc help. Help her to survive! Count her as your relative. And we are sure that God will bless you!

    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: Madonna Lomidze)

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 Madonna Lomidze, 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.