Our newsletter brings you accounts from extraordinary times

Posted on By Sarah.SGF

The last few months have seen our work transform itself.  Our colleagues have adapted and have proven remarkably creative as they have responded to the challenges of lockdown.  In some cases their workload has doubled as they continue to support families who have been hit hard financially, practically and emotionally.

Our summer newsletter chronicles this extraordinary time, shows how your donations continue to work wonders, and pays tribute to our colleagues, and to those who have continued to fundraise for us through it all.

Read your copy of the newsletter

Suicidal young man finds haven at Mkurnali

Posted on By Sarah.SGF

New resident with Jamal, who helps run the shelter.St Gregory’s has a long-standing partnership with Mkurnali, a charity that helps homeless young people in Tbilisi, Georgia.   Nino Chubabria, Mkurnali’s director tells a story of an extraordinary coincidence which allowed the charity to save a young man.

“Not long ago, one of our residents saw a news report about a lad who tried to commit suicide.  He had lost his job, and with no income, he had also been evicted.  Vano recognised the young man because they grew up together in an orphanage, and he asked me to help him.  When I watched the story, I also recognised the young man.  He had been arrested about ten years ago for stealing toy binoculars.  He was then a child living on the streets of Batumi and Tbilisi, and he survived by begging and stealing.

We got involved and saved him from prison on condition that we took responsibility for him.  He came and lived in our shelter for two years.  After that he started working and living independently, until he lost his job because of Corona virus.  After seeing the story, Jemal found him and brought him back.  He now lives at our shelter again, and will stay here until he can start work again.”