“My daughter Leila is only 14 years old, but she has already undergone four operations on the intestines, all her life she has suffered from a terrible disease ... My husband was twice operated on spinal hernias... Lord, give them health, ease their suffering! - the poor sick woman prays on her deathbed. - All our funds have been exhausted. We sold everything we had and borrowed money from anyone possible for the treatment... Now we are beggars! And our diseases are not going to recede..."

  Dear friends, meet Lela (46 years old), Merab (63 years old) and their 14-year-old daughter Leyla. All three of them are sick, and have no money even for food, let alone for treatment. It is scary to imagine that so much grief could befall one family - terrible diseases, poverty... But we will not pass by such a disaster and will try to alleviate their suffering, won’t we?

Lela: My God, how much more pain? I am terminally ill, my husband underwent two operations ... But the worst thing is that our only daughter, Leila, has suffered from intestinal disease since birth. Hirschsprung's disease - that's what it's called ... She was first operated on when she was only one week old, then at intervals of several months... When she was one year old, she had a colostomy, her intestine was taken out through a hole in her side, she suffered for four years... But the problem was not solved! Throughout her life, she must maintain a diet and take medications. To this day, she suffers intestinal obstruction, constant stomach ache and discomfort. Two months ago, she had an ovary cyst removal surgery - the surgeon said that the condition of her intestine leaves much to be desired. This disease is incurable and requires permanent attention. The worst thing is when your child suffers, and you can do nothing to help... And there is no end in sight to this suffering... Last spring, I was diagnosed with cancer, the fourth stage, I was operated on, was confined to bed, and taking care of me fell on Leila's shoulders... I cannot describe in words what I feel!

- How did you learn that you were sick?

Lela: Nothing hurt me at all, nothing bothered me. The fact is that about one year ago I started to lose weight dramatically. I ate as usual, but the kilograms were gone. This alarmed me, I lost 35 kilograms! I probably would have never gone to the doctor ... You know, family, work, you have never time for yourself. But my sister was supposed to undergo gallbladder surgery, and she asked me to accompany her for examination, and I decided to be examined as well. I took tests, and ultrasound scan ... The doctors announced a terrible sentence: cancer, the fourth stage. I didn't even have time to come to my senses, as I found myself on the operating table! They said that the situation was critical and there was no time to waste... They removed my uterus, ovaries, even a part of the intestine, which had metastases. My life turned into continuous torment: chemotherapy, terrible pain... And fear that my husband and daughter will be left alone, without me, both sick... They need my support and care so much but I can't even get out of bed.

- What do the doctors say now?

Lela: I don’t want to think about that. I understand everything... And like a drowning man I cling to a straw, to that one percent of the chance to survive. I pray day and night, my daughter goes to church... We try not to lose heart... You know, a person never ceases to hope that he will be among the lucky ones, even if the chances are negligible.

- Lela, what about your husband?

Lela: For many years, Merab worked at a construction site, carrying heavy loads - hence he has the problems with his spine. In 2014, the back pain became unbearable, and it turned out that he had a discal hernia. He had been operated on, it helped for a while, but then a second one developed. He had been operated again recently, last September... Hopefully, it was the last surgery. But his back still hurts, he constantly needs to take medication, he cannot work, especially he can’t do physical work. For six years now, my husband has been constantly looking for part-time jobs. But you yourself know how difficult it is in our country to find a job. Moreover, he is already 63 years old.

- It is clear that all this treatment is associated with large expenses. How do you manage to cope?

Lela: As a matter of fact, we fail... Our situation is simply terrible! The state covers the major part of my daughter's treatment costs, my husband and I used to add just some money, but we both used to work, and now ... When I urgently needed treatment, we had to sell absolutely everything, everything we could. We never lived richly, but we used to have basic appliances: a refrigerator, a washing machine, a computer... We sold all this for nothing, like used things, even the water heater! Our only income is social allowance and my pension, this is not enough for anything, we are deep in debt! Since I am only 46 years old, the state finances only half of the cost of chemotherapy, and we pay additional 100 GEL every month. Besides that we need medications for me, for my husband, for my daughter... And we also need to eat something! It is not enough for anything, for absolutely nothing! (Poor Lela sobs.)

- Where did you work before you became ill?

Lela: In many places. I am from Samegrelo, Martvili. I grew up there, graduated from the secondary school, and a technical school. I used to work as a nanny in a kindergarten for a long time. I love children! I also worked as a typist, I even took special training courses... In recent years I used to work as a cleaner in a large supermarket. The salary was tiny there, but I didn’t complain, it was better than nothing, and our team was just wonderful and friendly...

- How did you find yourself in Kutaisi?

Lela: My mother and I came to visit our relatives, and I met my future husband at a feast... Maybe you will not believe, but we liked each other at first sight... Very soon Merab asked me if I would marry him, and I agreed. You know, I never regretted it! My husband is a wonderful person, empathetic and caring. We overcame all difficulties together, coped with our daughter's illness, we always supported each other...

- Do you have any relatives or friends to whom you could address for help?

Lela: My parents died. My father died when I was in the eighth grade - he had a head injury, and my mother died a few years ago from stomach cancer. We discovered it at a late stage, and she died out in 6 months... Lord, the poor woman suffered so much, it's scary to remember! I have sisters, but their financial situation is no better than ours... We borrowed money from everyone we could, now there is no one else to ask for help.

- Does the state help you in any way?

Lela: As I have already said, my treatment is financed only partially, we have to buy all the medications ourselves. They paid for our daughter’s operations, and thanks them for that. We receive the allowance - 230 GEL, and I receive 140 GEL as an oncological patient. That's it. We’ve applied for an apartment many times, but to no avail ... Now we want to apply again, although there is very small chance that they will help...

- How did you find yourself in this building?

Lela: Some kind of institution used to be here, then low-income families moved in. We have been living in this room for 15 years. You see for yourself in what conditions we live: no amenities, the bathroom is terrible... But what can we do, at least there is a roof over our head.

- Do you believe in the kindness of strangers?

Lela: How not to believe? As I said, I had a wonderful team. When they learned about my illness, they raised a small amount for me, and helped me... I am so grateful to them for that! A neighbor gave us an old refrigerator, otherwise I would have nowhere to store the medicines. Actually, it does not work well, it turns off by itself, but still... Sometimes just acquaintances come to help more promptly than relatives. This happens, especially because in Georgia everyone is a little related to each other. Our country is small, but the people are sympathetic and generous...

- What keeps you strong and prevents you from surrendering?

Lela: Faith, only Faith in the Lord and nothing else. My daughter is sick, I constantly prayed and pray for her, I ask the Lord to give her health, heal her from the serious illness... I often went to church, now I can't... Now Leila goes and prays for me, lights candles at icons at home all the time, reads prayers... I know she asks God not to take her mother away from her...

- Tell us about your daughter. How did the illness affect Leila's daily life? I think it’s difficult for her.

Lela: Very difficult! She was operated on three times before the age of 6. The stoma was removed before she went to school. She vaguely remembers all this - endless hospitals, doctors... Since it was impossible to cure the girl completely, she constantly suffers intestinal obstruction, her stomach always aches... This prevents her from studying normally, and communicating with friends. Now she almost never leaves the house, she takes care of me, almost never leaves me alone. Also, this on-line study... We sold the computer, how can she attend classes now? She has to bother her classmates, but she is shy, and she doesn't want to leave me unattended. My husband takes care of me, but you know, there are moments when it’s easier to ask my daughter... I have a wonderful, kind girl Leila. Lord, give her the strength to cope with all this!

- I’ll talk to your daughter, if possible. Let's talk, Leila! Tell us a little bit about yourself. How are you doing at school, what are your hobbies, what are your plans for the future?

Leila (14 years old): I have always tried to study well... I love the Georgian language and literature. Now my mother really needs my care, I am with her all the time... As for studying, I have to miss lessons. I try to study at home.

- Have you already chosen your future profession?

Leila: I want to become a makeup artist. Learning to do beautiful makeup... Because it is important for a woman to be beautiful! This makes her feel happier, improves her mood. I think I will succeed, I can draw well, and professional makeup is also a kind of art!

- Leila, I understand that in your position the question may seem stupid, but still: what are you dreaming of?

Leila: I want my mother to recover, so that she does not suffer from pain, so that she is by me... (Leila's voice trembles) Sorry... (The girl jumped up and rushed out of the room to hide her tears, and I regretted asking her this question.)

- Lela, and what about you? What are you dreaming about?

Lela: I have not asked the Lord anything for myself for a long time... I dream and pray only that my husband and my girl could cope here without me. For my Leila to recover ... I only want one thing, so that they lived peacefully and happily, be healthy, and that they had a roof over their heads, warmth and comfort!

***

  Friends, misfortunes and terrible diseases have befallen our compatriots - the Kvitsiani family. Their situation is just terrible! A lot of the most scary diagnoses, poverty, pain, despair... Fate did not spare them, and they really need our support! Lela (46 years old) is dying, she has cancer, the last stage. She is not afraid of death, she is afraid of leaving her both seriously ill husband and daughter alone... Leila (14 years old) suffers from a terrible intestines disease all her life, she has been operated on four times! Merab (63) had two spinal surgeries! How can they cope with all this without our help?

  The Kvitsiani family needs any kind of help, they need food, medications, basic appliances: a refrigerator, a washing machine, 14-year-old Leila really needs a computer for her studies. 

  You can visit them and provide all possible assistance to the Kvitsiani family.Their address is: Kutaisi Shervashidze 57, building 3, apartment 25 (abandoned state building)

  Or you can call Lela and cheer her up with your kind words! Phone: 595 03 60 32.

  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: The Kvitsiani 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 Kvitsiani family too, 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.