From dreams to doctor - a journey of gratitude and growth with World Vision
Sopo Kimadze, once a little girl with big dreams from Bolajuri Village in Georgia’s southwestern Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, is now on her path to becoming a professional doctor to serve and help others. Currently, she is a successful third-year student at Medical University and leads an independent life in Tbilisi, far from her family. "Now that I am independent and have achieved some success, I owe it all to World Vision Georgia’s (WVG) support and the local team in Akhaltsikhe, a city in Samtskhe-Javakheti " she says gratefully.
Sopo was 12 years old when she entered World Vision’s Child Sponsorship programme, which profoundly changed her life. "I knew that other children in our school were already part of the programme, with sponsors who sent them letters and supported them. Seeing this, I also had a desire to have such a caring friend from afar. That's how my journey with WV began," she reflects.
Sopo recalls that many families in her village faced financial problems, while the school lacked engaging activities to motivate children. World Vision brought novelty and joy by opening a school library, providing books and offering various activities and trainings for children. Through WVG’s support and the commitment of dedicated sponsors, families received financial assistance and equipment like tractors for agriculture, significantly improving their living conditions. This revitalized the community and school.
"I am deeply thankful to my sponsor and her family for their kindness in supporting children in another country. I even remember her name, she was called Nancy and despite the geographical distance, we developed a very friendly relationship. Nancy regularly sent me presents and letters, and we exchanged photos. She and her family were farmers, and she often shared updates about life on their farm. In return, I wrote to her about school and my academic journey. Once, she graciously sent a sum of money, which my family and I used to purchase desks and bookshelves for our school. In gratitude, I sent her a photo of me and my classmates with the new furniture, which pleased her immensly. It's remarkable that despite not knowing us personally, she and her family supported us unconditionally in our small country. I sincerely hope she receives as much kindness in her life as she has shown, in return”, Sopo adds.
As the hero of the story explains, World Vision is more than a sponsorship programme for her. Apart from essential support, the school library and Youth Club supported by World Vision played a pivotal role in shaping Sopo’s strong personality, equipping her with knowledge and vital life skills. "When WVG opened a reading space and provided new books, it marked the beginning of my journey toward success, broadening my horizons and advancing my knowledge," she notes. Additionally, writing projects and leadership skills were among the key abilities the curious girl gained there, which she continues to use effectively in her profession even today. During school years Sopo was highly active and participated in every project without fail. Her growth was rapid; she became a peer educator for several years and later advanced to become a club leader at school. In every village where World Vision operated, one or two children were selected as peer educators and trained by experienced instructors and psychologists on various topics. They then took on the responsibility of sharing this knowledge with other children in the village to empower them.
Sopo's passion for helping others began in childhood; she took part in establishing an Anti-Bullying Committee at her school. The committee implemented a suggestion box where children could anonymously share their problems, such as issues related to social exclusion and violence. Teachers actively participated in this initiative as well. The goal was to address these concerns and provide support; children had the option to include their names if they chose. Weekly, the committee opened the box, discussed the raised issues, and collaborated on finding solutions. These and other important initiatives made her realize that she wants to help others by saving lives, and she remains steadfast in following her mission. Now, looking back, Sopo cherishes her relationship with WV, which she attributes to fostering her independence and guiding her towards her professional goals. Her journey underscores the transformative impact of humanitarian aid on individual lives.
“I am happy and thankful for this experience; without it, I don't know where my life would be now. I am grateful and content with who I am and the path I am on. My greatest aspiration is to become a highly qualified doctor, and I am building on the solid foundation that my connection with WVG has given me."
Story by Lika Chigladze, Communications Officer