At First Step Georgia we believe that:
- Every child deserves to be treated equally;
- All children should be loved and cared for and be shown respect;
- All children should be helped to live life to the full and to become equal members of society, living in dignity.
No matter what makes a child different in the eyes of society, we at First Step Georgia believe that every child is special. We are committed to helping as many children with special needs as possible enjoy good health and joyful lives. We do not discriminate against any child for any reason.
Georgian society is changing and the future is looking brighter for children and young people with special needs, but the outlook wasn’t always so positive.
For too long, children with disabilities in Georgia weren’t seen as special
In the winter of 1993-94, 24 children with intellectual or physical disabilities died of neglect, cold and malnourishment at Kaspi residential state institution. Tragically, more innocent lives were lost for the same reasons over the following years.
Such children were often regarded as a burden and a source of shame by their families, who received little support from the State to take care of them.
Most children with severe special needs lived in dilapidated, ill-equipped, remote institutions, where they suffered from hunger, cold and illness and were treated largely as undeserving of normal human warmth, love and care.
First Step Georgia’s mission is to ensure every child is treated as special
First Step Georgia was established with the urgent mission of literally saving the sickest children from certain death by removing them from Kaspi and putting them in paediatric care. Since 1998 First Step has been working with the Georgian government and local and international partners.
FIRST STEP GEORGIA
To learn more click here: WHAT WE DO
IF YOU TOO BELIEVE THAT EVERY CHILD IS SPECIAL, HELP US TO HELP THEM
As little as a few dollars per day can make a real difference to a child’s life
- Children with severe and profound disabilities did not in the past have a chance to attend day services. Now children like Niko, 11 or Keso, 8 are flourishing at the First Step Georgia Day Care Centre.
- Just $3.95 per day feeds a child at the Centre so that, like Niko and Keso, they will no longer be deprived of education.
- 14-yr-old Khatia used to communicate only through gestures but has learned to speak with First Step’s support.
- $7 pays for one session widthof a speech therapist to a child living at home.
HELP US to Help THE CHILDREN » DONATE NOW
More daily costs:
- $2.12 per 1 child per day Clothes and personal hygiene supplies
- $2.55 per 1 child per day Medical care (including salary of paediatrician)
- $3.95 per day feeds 1 child attending a First Step Georgia Day Care Centre
- $7 pays for one visit from a speech therapist to a child in the home based care programme
- $9.58 per 1 child a day schooling
- $9.69 per day per 1 child allows a child previously resident in an institution to live with his/her family
- $18.42 per 1 child per day pays for education at and transportation to the Day Care Centre
works to develop suitable living environments for children and young people with severe intellectual and physical disabilities. We aim to provide environments where the individual physical, intellectual, social and personal needs of young people with special needs are addressed and where they are treated as individuals who deserve to thrive.
