Caritas Georgia is changing the narrative for street children in the country’s urban areas by providing mobile schools and other resources that help them pursue brighter futures. Young beneficiaries and peer educators, whose lives have been changed, convey thanks to Caritas Georgia.

Caritas Georgia’s mobile schools and outreach programs, as well as its day and night centers, provide support to children and youth in Georgia, many of whom live on the street and receive no education.

The programs include “life skills, like health, financial literacy, children’s rights, violence prevention” and more, according to Tatiana Polikarpova, a psychologist at Caritas Georgia’s Tbili Sakhli Center.

Former beneficiaries of the programs, like Valeri Chidzovi, often become volunteers or staff members themselves, utilizing the skills they developed through Caritas programs to connect with children and youth who grew up in situations similar to their own.

While speaking fondly of Caritas, Sandro, a beneficiary, explains how he hopes to pursue social work.

“Now, every day is special,” he said. “I like to help people and children. This is very special here.”