A Taste of Home: Alina’s Journey to Building a New Life

Alina, a Ukrainian refugee, fled to Georgia with her family in the search of safety. After initially working in local cafés, she decided to start a family business in Batumi, a seaside city in western Georgia, sharing responsibilities with her brother. The café offers a mix of traditional Ukrainian and European dishes, bringing a taste of home to the local community.

Despite being a mother, Alina is actively involved in the café’s daily operations—serving customers, managing logistics, and even grocery shopping alongside her brother. Beyond running a successful business, she has also created job opportunities for other Ukrainian refugees. Today, her café employs four Ukrainians and two Georgians, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.

World Vision Georgia played a crucial role in her success through the Ukraine Crisis Response Programme, providing financial, material, and informational support. This assistance enabled her to diversify her offerings, including ready-made and frozen foods, ensuring the sustainability of her business in the local market.

By supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurs, World Vision Georgia helps refugees achieve self-reliance, integrate into their new communities, and contribute to the local economy. This video was produced as part of the Ukraine Crisis Response Programme, funded by World Vision International and Aktion Deutschland Hilft (ADH).