A Chronicle of The Delegation’s Trip to The Republic of Georgia and Armenia - Day 2

DAY 2
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Our next morning began with a visit to The Ani Children Foundation.  This non-profit, established in 2016, is now headed by Nata Geguchadze, the mother of the original founder, Ani, who was killed in an auto crash.  We were guided by hospital staff through the facility which provides palliative care to terminally ill children, including those in comas or vegetative states. They currently attend to approximately forty patients.  Government funds cover the costs of medical care but equipment and other supplies are funded through private donations. This was a heartbreaking visit for us all.

We gathered outside for a photo with the amazing staff, including Maia Chkhaidze, Medical Director of the Tsisishvili Children’s Center (front row on the right).

Our next morning began with a visit to The Ani Children Foundation.  This non-profit, established in 2016, is now headed by Nata Geguchadze, the mother of the original founder, Ani, who was killed in an auto crash.  We were guided by hospital staff through the facility which provides palliative care to terminally ill children, including those in comas or vegetative states. They currently attend to approximately forty patients.  Government funds cover the costs of medical care but equipment and other supplies are funded through private donations. This was a heartbreaking visit for us all.  

We gathered outside for a photo with the amazing staff, including Maia Chkhaidze, Medical Director of the Tsisishvili Children’s Center (front row on the right). 

We then left for the American Embassy where we met with the Charge d’Affaires, Elizabeth Rule and two of her staff, Erin Mai Jarrett, Assistant Press and Information Attache, and Daniella Tran, Cultural Programs Coordinator. 

Elizabeth gave us an honest assessment of conditions and challenges in Georgia today.  This included discussion of the threat that Russia represents to Georgia. She noted that the United States (US), largely via US AID (Agency for International Development) is helping make Georgia attractive to the breakaway territories by fostering farming, industrial development, and entrepreneurial initiatives.  Erin and Daniella continued the discussion of the difficult task of recovery from the post-Soviet economic collapse. They also addressed the societal and cultural roles of Georgian women, both traditional and contemporary. They were very generous with their time and provided us with important information as a context for all our visits in Georgia. 

We ended our afternoon with a fascinating visit to The Georgian State Museum of Folk and Applied Arts.  The small museum housed exhibitions spanning the 11th to the 20th centuries and included amazing Georgian woven rugs, musical instruments, local costumes, jewelry and embroidery from all over the country.  The museum’s mission also includes in the preservation of traditional arts.   

That evening ended with a reception in the lobby of our Marriott Hotel to which were invited representatives of all the organizations with which we would be meeting and the Delegates’ counterparts.   It was a fascinating evening, almost overwhelming in the opportunities for connections. It also gave the Delegates and opportunity to introduce outstanding Georgian women to each other. 
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[Brenda Dominici Johnson, Recorder]