Coordinated work – a pre-condition for positive results

Soon after being released from custody Akaki (name is conditional) was readdressed by Ajara Probation Bureau by the Institute of Democracy Program for “Supporting former inmates, inmates’ family members and probationers”. Master of wooden engraving needed support in self-employment. After addressing the Institute of Democracy the beneficiary was involved in the service supporting small family business. ‘

As the result of Joint work of the beneficiary and program personnel the tools needed for wooden engravings were financed for Akaki. According to him, everything started from the scratch from that day and new meaning returned to life. Akaki is currently employed, producing icons, accessories, jewelry items with purchased tools, being one of the main income source for him.

IN the frame of cooperation between Ajara Probation Bureau and Institute of Democracy Giga (name being conditional) also contacted the NGO. After being released from custody, finding a job was one of the main topic of care for the beneficiary. Due to delay of the process, being a Sanitary Technical with the specialty, he decided to be self-employed. He was involved in the Institute of Democracy Program for “Supporting former inmates, inmates’ family members and probationers”, being funded the tools necessary for handicraft. According to him, a new sense was returned to his life.

During a year and a half, in the frame the frame of cooperation between Ajara Probation Bureau and Institute of Democracy in the Program for “Supporting former inmates, inmates’ family members and probationers” Legal Aid Service was applied by 30 conditionally convicted individuals, with1 5 individuals being involved in rehabilitation component (sport, cultural, educational measures), 12 conditionally convicted individuals benefited from the component of self-employment (supporting Small Family Business), whereas 12 conditionally convicted individuals benefited from the Service for improving medical state (financing medicines and free medical examinations).

Nino Khachidze – Program Coordinator: due to mistrust from the employers’ side the conditionally convicted individuals have difficulty in getting employed. Due to which, it became necessary to foresee the component of self-employment in the program. Service for Supporting Small Family Business enables the beneficiaries to strengthen already existing activity independent of the employers or launch a new one and receive an income. Employing the beneficiaries in view of the stigma and social-economic background existing in the society remains as one of the challenges for the beneficiaries, therefore applying the above-mentioned service still remains as one of the most valuable and significant component of the Program.

The outcomes achieved in the frame of cooperation, future plans and effective ways for strengthening communication with target groups serves as the main aim of the meeting held between the representatives of the Institute of Democracy and Ajara Probation Bureau.

At the meeting the parties once again exchanged information upon the service foreseen with this program, discussed the ways of involving the beneficiaries in the program to ensure rehabilitation process to be maximally result-oriented.

As it has been noted several time from the side of Ajara Probation Bureau self-employment and education serves as one of the most priority and demandable directions for the probationers.