Field Activities

On July 29, 2007, at Sandro Akhmeteli State Drama Theatre, "Artist's Ghost" a play addressing the issue of stigmatization prevalent in Georgian society, was presented. The play was staged and directed by Mr. Lado Gamsakhurdia - a volunteer of Association "Antistigma". The team of actors was diverse: volunteer actors/actresses and residents of psychiatric institutions.
Antistigma works in the field of psychic health since 2001. One of its objectives is to create environment free of discrimination and stigmatization of people with psychic illness. Association works for full social integration of people with psychic illness, therefore fights against stigma - one of the primary impediments to the full social inclusion.

On June 1, 2007 at Children's City "Mziuri" an event dedicated to International Children's Day was organized by team of initiators lead by Ms. Ana Goguadze. Within the limits of the event a concert and exhibition of children's paintings were organized.

On June 1, 2007, within the limits of Play Bus Project, SOS Children's Village of Georgia in partnership with Bank of Georgia organized an event dedicated to International Children's Day. The purpose of the event was to create joyful and entertaining environment for children on International Children's Day. The event further aimed at dissemination of rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Diversified group of children – including children with and without disabilities, orphan children and children deprived of parental care participated in the event.
Play Bus Project, within the boundaries of which the event was organized, has been successfully implemented by the SOS Children's Villages since 2004. The Play Bus is a social centre on wheels, a microbus with toys, games equipment and craft materials, accompanied by a team of professionals. The philosophy of the Project is as follows: playing is important for development of children. Children learn through playing. Playing is a joyful way of developing skills, acquiring knowledge, building relationships with other children and adults. The Play Bus team offers play activities at different places in Tbilisi and its environs (in parks, children's homes, kindergartens, schools, social centres).

Union "Kedeli" was founded for the purpose of full social inclusion of people with disabilities. The Union works for establishment of a village-type, community based settlement for people with disabilities. To this end, the Union has purchased plots of land and in 2003 launched placement of beneficiaries in buildings specifically designed for them. At this stage 10 people with disabilities live in the Union's village-type settlement.
On May 3, 2007, the Union delivered a presentation illuminating organization's objectives and philosophy. Works of the village-type residents were also presented. The presentation was attended by partner organizations – Social Therapy House, First Step Foundation, guests from Belgium and Germany, First Lady of Georgia Sandra Roelofs.

Children's International Festival – "Children's Smile" was organized on April 23, 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey. Children, including children with disabilities from 40 countries of the world participated in the international festival. Each of them were awarded a certificate of honor and a remembrance photo. Team of children with disabilities from Association "Anika" represented Georgia at the Festival. The team members presented Georgian folk and stage songs. During the Festival, Georgian children with disabilities built relationship with children from numerous foreign countries.

On March 30, 2007 a traditional exhibition and shopping of works of people with disabilities working at workshops of Social Therapy House was organized. The Social Therapy House operates since 1990 and serves over 40 people with disabilities. At workshops of Social Therapy House adolescents with disabilities work to create necklaces, wax and paraffin candles, notebooks, greeting cards, tapestries, wood made and other creative goods. Adolescents with disabilities visit the Social Therapy House workshops daily and develop their skills in the process of cooperative work.

Association "Anika" and students of #147 School, with support of State Agency of Social Protection on March 30, 2007 organized a celebration dedicated to spring and friendship. #147 School is a place for inclusive education, since several children with disabilities study at the school together with children without disabilities. Children with and without disabilities organized the celebration cooperatively after a year of friendship and communication. Songs and dances were presented at the celebration.