Former inmates’ wooden workshop

Giorgi Lomsianidze living in Imereti region is one of the beneficiaries who after being released from custody decided to get employed according to his profession and realization. Former inmate has been working in the wooden workshop for years, producing chairs, wardrobes, doors, tables, restaurant inventory. One more inmates is working with him at the workshop, having mastered wooden engraving during custody.

“We have been together in custody, sitting in one cell. I was working on the wood, when he also got interested with this craft. One day he approached me and told to teach him something. He was very hard-working, good at engraving. We were producing various items together, being also means to spend time” – Giorgi Khachapuridze recalls imprisonment years.

Former inmate was working in the wooden workshop before imprisonment. He was sure that he would be back to his old craft after imprisonment, though majority of his tools were not found in the wooden workshop after custody.

He learned about the program for supporting former inmates, inmates’ families and probationers from his friends, having appealed project implementing organization “Foundation Abkhazinterkont” in Imereti region, having written a business proposal with the support of the social worker and receiving a small grant. Giorgi purchased working tools for his wooden workshop, with the help of which he is working in fast and efficient way.

“With this tool, I am working on such details which I used to compete manually. I often receive orders from restaurants, which needs differentiated contours, whereas with the help of new tools I easily manage to work on all details. The number of orders has increased in parallel to purchasing these tools”.

Giorgi has been actively working in his own workshop together with the cellmate saying that he was more motivated as he could help one more person released from custody in rehabilitation. According to the former inmates, he is ready to share his knowledge among the persons released from custody and teach them wood work free of charge.

The Institute of Democracy is implementing the project for strengthening former inmates together with partner organizations. The project is being implemented by the Institute of Democracy together with “Guria Youth Center” and Foundation “Abkhazinterkont”.