The second stage of the specialized therapeutic program for parents of minors with disabilities residing in Chokhatauri Municipality, as well as for adults with special needs, is set to commence this February. This initiative will serve 50 beneficiaries, including 25 teenagers with disabilities and 25 parents. Monthly sessions, each lasting three hours, will be held in Chokhatauri.
Maka Shanidze, head of public relations and project manager of the "Women for Women" organization, stated, "The project will continue to provide group therapy for current participants and will welcome new beneficiaries. The group will be divided into two sections, each meeting for three hours once a month. Additionally, we are introducing a new component: individual assessments of children with disabilities by specialists, followed by personalized or group interventions as required. Specialists will also train parents in essential approaches to their children's development, recognizing the crucial role parents play."
Shanidze highlighted the empowerment of the participating mothers, noting, "The mothers in the club have become so resilient that they are now ready to openly discuss these topics and challenges. This is a testament to the project's impact. I extend my gratitude to all involved, including Bakhvi HPP, which continues to fund the therapeutic program. The success and positive outcomes we have achieved are the result of a collective effort."
Psychologist Nino Kereselidze, who has been invited to contribute to the course, added, "The project will continue for another year. This provides a valuable opportunity for each participant to receive additional therapeutic support, discover their inner resources, and strengthen the support network we have built together. Most importantly, it represents a significant step towards fostering independence and creating a successful future for these individuals and their children."
The "Parents Club of Disabled Persons" project commenced in March 2023 and concluded its first phase in January 2024. During this period, meetings were held twice in a month. The initial phase targeted parents of 35 minors with disabilities from various villages within Chokhatauri Municipality. The project was initiated and organized by the non-governmental organization "Women for Women," with financial support from Bakhvi HPP and logistical assistance from the local government, which provided transportation for participants.
The final event of the first phase took place on January 27, 2024, in Chokhatauri. The event included a review of the previous year's achievements and concluded with a joint concert featuring children with special needs and students from the music school. Representatives from the local government, Bakhvi HPP, and the project's psychologists, Nino Kereselidze and Nino Kvirikashvili, attended alongside the beneficiaries.