Support ukrainian refugees - choose interesting tasks for you!

The «Change for better» project is an initiative created by a group of volunteers with the aim of helping Ukrainian refugees in Georgia. The project organizes free classes, workshops, and also strives to support basic needs. The main mission of the project is to create a safe and cozy space where everyone can find support and feel at home. In the conditions of emigration, people often lack a sense of belonging and stability, and  «Change for better» helps to immerse them in the atmosphere of home and feel among like-minded people.

We spoke with the project representative, Elizaveta, to learn more about the current activities of the project:

– How did the project start and what was the impetus for its creation? What role do you personally play and how did you come to this?

– We are a team of volunteers who have been together for quite a while, more than a year. Initially, we were volunteers in the «Your Ukraine» organization at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Sameba. The impetus for creating our own project was the disagreements with the founder of the previous project, and we simply decided to separate and go our own way. And we succeeded. It was not an easy decision for us. We were very worried because none of us had project management experience. But we managed, gradually moved, and started anew. As for me, I take on an active role – «jack of all trades». Together with the others, we found a place, helped with its renovation, and now continue to conduct events and promote ourselves on social media. Overall, I just continue my volunteer work, albeit with more responsibilities.

– What are the main goals and objectives of your project in the near future?

– Our main goals are to raise funds for rent and utility payments every month. This is a vital need. We need donations. Besides this, we want to continue developing in the direction of organizing leisure activities for adults and children. Generally speaking, for everyone interested. This is our main task. Speaking about the long-term plan, we aim to purchase cereals and baby formula, and diapers. Ideally, hygiene or food kits for those who have recently arrived in Georgia. Given that the school year starts in a few months, we would like to prepare school kits. But for today, the most important thing for us is to raise funds for rent.

– What are the main challenges you face in your work and how do you overcome them?

– The main challenge is the lack of money. We have already learned to cope with this in just fantastic ways. Every little helps! Special thanks to those who helped us significantly during the renovation stage. Overall, we are just a very creative team and always come up with ways to deal with arising difficulties because initially, we needed a lot: furniture, building materials to make the place clean and cozy. Therefore, we are always crafting something, and the visitors who helped us a lot with the renovation assist us in this. Building, sewing, knitting - and we already have something worthwhile. Since our main resource is donated items, we actively recycle some products, unravel and knit something new from these threads, use sequins and buttons to organize our workshops.

– Can you tell us about the most significant achievement of your project to date?

– Our project is two and a half months old. The most significant achievement is that people still need us, they still come to us. We also have new activities. For example, English classes for adults and children. We hold them once a week for now because we do not have professional teachers yet, doing it on enthusiasm. We also found a girl who conducted Pilates in the park in the open air, which was a new and quite successful format for us. Our achievements are our satisfied visitors, especially the kids.

– How do you interact with the local community, and what methods do you use to build trust and cooperation?

– We almost do not interact with the local community, although we might want to, but we do not know how to implement it. When we moved to a new place (previously, we were in a basement under a church, and now we see the street through the window), we met our neighbors in the building, and now even the neighborhood kids come to our workshops. Some neighbors responded, showed concern, and brought things and materials for the workshops. We are already happy with some communication with neighbors, which is really a big support for us. Especially if we have household questions. For example, when the meter was turned off, we did not know if the problem was only with us or in the whole building. Also, we have a wonderful plumber who connected water to our place, and it was not there before. We met him thanks to the neighborhood.

– What resources and support does your project need to achieve maximum impact?

– In terms of resources, of course, we need donations. Considering the situation with the «Foreign Agents Law» in Georgia, we decided not to register as an NGO at this stage because we understand that if we receive a grant, it would give us a big push in work but also could lead to being recognized as a foreign agent. And we do not have the resources to «comply» with this status and work without fines, maintain reporting at the moment. Therefore, it would be good if people who come by, pass by, or simply share our mission donate to us. We have a few donation boxes for now, but we plan to expand. Of course, we lack money the most, and it's not a huge sum - just 500 GEL per month would make us extremely happy.

– What plans and prospects do you see for your project in the next few years, and how do you plan to develop it in the future?

– It is very difficult to make plans because there is no funding and an unstable foreign policy situation. But we decided that as long as we see that people need our work, we will continue to do it. We will also look for new forms of leisure, maybe even some other educational courses. For example, computer science or digital literacy in general for children and adults. Because we have quite a few elderly people, and it is still difficult for them to handle a smartphone. Whether it will be for several years or at least for the next year - time will tell.

– How do you measure the success and effectiveness of your project?

– The success of our project is when people come to us and say they feel at home here. When people can be themselves, open up, share something. We form new acquaintances, friendships among visitors. We see children growing, gaining new social skills and more. They learn something new thanks to our classes. When we see this feedback from people, we understand that it is really important for them to be in a place where they feel calm and comfortable, can «breathe out», and be in the company of their own, because almost all our volunteers are also refugees from Ukraine. This is very important for us.

The «Change for better» project is always happy to welcome new participants and volunteers. Support the team with donations, materials for workshops, or your time. Contact the project through social media or at: Georgia, Tbilisi, Rustaveli metro station, Tatishvili St. 9, first floor, Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 16:00.

Together we can do more!