WHAT WE DO
We're transforming the lives of the most vulnerable by providing them the resources they need and by strengthening the programs that care for them.
100+ MOBILITY DEVICES FITTED TO CHILDREN IN NEED
Through the support of MAC U.S., Momentum and the Dorothea Ross Foundation, MAC Georgia distributed 67 wheelchairs and walkers to children in need, providing them with newfound mobility and independence.
MAC U.S. and MAC Georgia have also custom-fitted 41 pediatric wheelchairs this year for children with complex needs, prioritizing both mobility and comfort.
Meanwhile, our advocacy efforts with government officials led to the allocation of new financial support for intermediate pediatric supportive seating in the Adjara region of Georgia, ensuring better care for children with complex physical needs.
MESTUMRE: CONNECTING GENERATIONS
For the last five years, MAC U.S. has supported the development of the Mestumre program, which successfully bridges generations and helps to decrease isolation and enhance understanding.
The program recruits volunteers to serve as 'elderly companions' to people living in nursing homes. This past year, 160 volunteers were recruited to conduct weekly visits with their companions.
EQUIPPING GEORGIA WITH THE TOOLS TO ASSESS CHILD DEVELOPMENT
MAC U.S. and MAC Georgia have been partnering with the University of Michigan since 2018 to adapt and standardize the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, an assessment tool for understanding children's growth and development from birth to 68 months.
The availability of a normed instrument like the Mullen will enable professionals working with children to obtain accurate and reliable data, facilitate early identification of developmental delays, and design targeted interventions to address the unique needs of Georgian children.
During the last six months, nearly 700 preschool children from across thirteen municipalities and 51 preschools have been assessed as part of the initiative.
While the field of child evaluation has seen significant advancements globally, the lack of standardized and normed instruments in Georgia hinders accurate and reliable assessments of child development and psychosocial well-being. This tool will help to provide accurate insights into crucial aspects of development, including language and motor skills.
PARENTING IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT
This past year, MAC Georgia, with help from MAC U.S., brought together more than 150 parents of children with disabilities from across Georgia to participate in its sixth annual parents' conference. The program — built around the theme, 'parenting is a marathon, not a sprint' — offered parents three days of learning, sharing stories, asking questions, and developing friendships. For many, this is the only occasion that they have to interact with others facing similar challenges, and it was inspiring to see the influence of time spent together.
BRINGING LIGHT THROUGH STORYTELLING
MAC U.S. recently assisted the Shuki Movida platform to join forces with Mariko Gabashvili, founder of TEDxTbilisi, to introduce a new and exciting initiative — Shuki Movida Talks. The inaugural 'Talks' featured five remarkable individuals, each influenced by disability in a different way, who came forward and shared their thoughts, ideas, and experiences with more than 300 people who came to listen. The entire event was live streamed on Facebook.
Check out Mariko Kobakhidze's video recording (with English subtitles) to enjoy.
MEET BABI — A BOOK FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR PARENTS
Through the generous support of UNICEF and the technical assistance of MAC U.S., MAC Georgia developed and published the book, Babi. The story of Babi, a girl who is visually impaired, is told in simple language with child-friendly illustrations. It is designed to educate children with special needs about assessing their disability status and understanding their rights
A DIGITAL PLATFORM OF KNOWLEDGE FOR FAMILIES
Mshoblis Skivri fills the information void by offering a dynamic digital platform of knowledge, support, and inspiration in the Georgian language. During the past six months alone, Mshoblis Skivri, with ongoing assistance from MAC U.S., has offered the following:
- 38 Facebook Lives, featuring local pediatricians, lawyers, child and rehabilitation specialists, and government officials who offered guidance and answered questions;
- 70+ informative articles;
- 100+ free individual consultations between parents and MAC specialists.
With more than 38,000 followers, these resources and programming help to equip persons with disabilities and their families with the tools they need to live more independently.
BRINGING KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION TO FAMILIES WHERE THEY LIVE
This year, MAC U.S. helped its sister organization, MAC Georgia, to take a new step towards ensuring that persons with disabilities in the regions of Georgia have access to the resources they need. It helped organize local exhibitions that bring together local and national service providers as well as available resources and equipment. To date, MAC Georgia has implemented three such exhibitions in local communities around the country, exposing nearly 500 family members to more than 50 different service providers.
MAC INTRODUCES NEW PRESCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING
MAC U.S. specialists worked closely with MAC Georgia's psychologists to introduce a new, specialized program designed to build the skills and knowledge of preschool educators. Over a span of six months, MAC Georgia worked with 33 preschool teachers and administrators, offering training and one-to-one monitoring and consultation. As a result, these educators have enhanced their teaching practices and are now creating more engaging lessons and cultivating more inclusive classrooms.
ENHANCING ACCESSIBILITY
With financial support from the Government of Norway and ongoing consultation from MAC U.S., MAC Georgia was able to redesign its free, online mapping platform, Sheaghe, making it more user-friendly, intuitive, and accessible. Sheaghe allows users to locate and contact disability-related services, both in their community and across the country. This is the first such platform of its kind in Georgia, and it places crucial information into the hands of persons with disabilities and their families, allowing them to understand what services are available and how they can obtain them. With a recent commitment from the Government of Georgia to require all publicly supported services to register on the site, we believe that this platform will become an indispensable tool for families seeking support.
