Sergeants Eric Vance (kneeling) and Joe Bess entertain children during a visit to the Tskneti Children’s Home, 20 miles west of Tbilisi, in the country of Georgia.  The visit to the children’s home was part of the joint community outreach with their Georgian Army counterparts.  Vance is a rear detachment NCO for 1st Bn., 121st Infantry Regiment in Milledgeville, Ga. Bess works with as a deputy with the Gwinnett County Sheriffs Department and a supply sergeant for Company E, 148th Brigade Support Battalion.  Vance and Bess are part of the multinational exercise Immediate Response 2008 in Tbilisi, Georgia.  About a thousand American and a thousand multinational forces are participating. (Photo by Spc. Tracy J. Smith, 48th IBCT PAO)

Guardsmen assist in aiding children's school near Tbilisi

The following article was written in July, prior to the eruption of a short-lived conflict between the Nation of Georgia and Russia. Georgia’s 48th BCT members had already returned to the U.S. before any clashes occurred.

By Spc.  Tracy J. Smith
48th IBCT (L) PAO

VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, Tbilisi, Georgia, July 28 -- 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers and their Georgian Army counterparts reached out to the local community at a local children’s home, 20 minutes west of Tbilisi, where the Soldiers united to improve the lives of children who otherwise would have nothing

The coalition partners, participants of the multinational exercise Immediate Response 2008 in Tbilisi, Georgia, collected more than $600 to purchase a new freezer , toys and  school supplies for the Tskneti Children’s Home regulated by the ministry of Education.  The school relies heavily on the contributions of U.S. and Western organizations as well as donations by private individuals to fund its programs.

The visit by Georgia Army National Guardsmen is not the first.  Six years ago members of Augusta’s 878th Engineer Battalion took a break from training with the Georgian Army and got to work building an elaborate playground as well as making extensive repairs to the offices and grounds infrastructure.

“We have an excellent relationship with organizations throughout (the state of) Georgia,” said Manana Tsilosani, who has served as director for the home to some 115 children for 16 years.  “We receive donations from various organizations in Atlanta and enjoy a wonderful relationship with your National Guard Army Soldiers.”

The children entertained the visiting Soldiers with traditional songs and games.  The Soldiers found it easy to attach themselves to the children. 

“How can you deny such a lovely child,” said Lt. Zurab Gogishvili, a platoon commander with the Georgian Army’s 4th Brigade. “I hope to one day become a father and I want to continue to help places such as this.”

Many of the children that reside at Tskneti come from single parent households.  Often parents are simply unable to afford to give proper care or there are situations where the children may be in vulnerable. Unlike an orphanage, the parents and relatives still have visitation and no conditions are placed on when they may visit with them. The parents or relatives may retrieve the children at anytime and are often free to visit with family during the summer months, Tsilonsani said.

There are situations where Tsilosani and her dedicated staff have had greater concern then is typical for a child’s well-being.

“I remember a young child who was living on the street,” Tsilonsani recalled, her pale brown eyes welling with tears.  “We took the child in and he was very withdrawn.  After two days he left and went back to where his family lived.  The conditions were not good and the child was working, at age nine years, to support his family.  When I found him he was ashamed of where he was and I told him he did not need to be as what he was doing was honorable but he needed to take care of himself as well. He eventually came back to us.”

Often children in vulnerable situations romanticize about reunions with family and are disappointed when the situation is not what they desire.

Sergeant Joe Bess, a supply sergeant with Company E, 148th Brigade Support Battalion is aware of how complex the children’s situation is.  She was taken in by family at an early age after living in a group environment for a short while.  A thoughtful leader, her Soldiers call her ‘Lady Hooah’ because of her tough veneer.  Her vulnerability comes through as she recalls being where these children once were. 

“I am blessed to never have had it as rough as they have,” the Bethlehem, Ga. resident and Gwinnett County Deputy Sheriff said. “You look at their faces and realize that they have the same hopes and dreams I had when I was in their little shoes. Something as simple as a hug makes a world of difference and I have been fortunate to discover that even in the absence of family you can build your own and that’s what I try to maintain with my unit, my fellow Soldiers and in my community.”

Tsilonsani fully embodies that thought and proudly shows her other Georgia family a continent away.  The faded photo of the previous Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers visit begins to show its age around the edges.  “In our future I hope to show the memories of today to the next Georgia Army visitors and when I do there will be no need for such a place as this,” she continues with a thought she wishes not to utter but manages to accept the reality..  “If there is, I know I can depend on you to work with us to make the lives of these children much improved.”

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