The Silagadze Family Healing Fund
Campaign Summary
Who am I and who are they?
Peter Bogaert (52), residing in Tremelo - Belgium and since 1997 married to Inga (50) Silagadze. Together we have a daughter Sophia (16).
My wife's family (the Silagadze's) consists of 14 very warm-hearted people. Six hard-working parents: (G)Father Lado (77), (G)mother Luda (72) and the brothers of my wife Inga, Ruslan (43) and Ramazi (47), with their wives Inga and Maja. Both have three daughters and a son. Yes ... there are 2 Inga's ... my wife and her sister in law.
They live in Georgia (former USSR) near Kutaisi in the Banodzha region in a small street.
In the Campaign Details (section below), I bring Georgia a bit closer with some interesting links about the GEM of Europe and I explain the high cost of living in Georgia.
The Situation
Life of the poor is extremely difficult in Georgia (FSU) as is so for my family-in-law (6 parents & 8 children). They work long hours at wages below the minimum ($6 -$8/day). They can't afford the medical care they need.
They don't ask for help but we we can't let them suffer anymore (it hurts us). The grandparents Luda (72) and Lado (77) are still working around the clock. They suppress the pain and will work till they drop. They need medical care and medication for high blood pressure, heart and joints as well are some of the children (medical examinations, possible kidney surgery and dental care).
I also want to purchase an install some extra heating- and airco- systems (no heat upstairs and very hot summers).
Only through hard work and because of me supporting them financially for a period of more than 20 years, as well through me sending 200kg clothing and various other things they were able to survive until now.
Financially, I can't handle this now, even not the coming 2 years . In everyone's life there comes a time where you need some help to save the people you love ? Given the current situation and the ages that moment has come now.
What should be the result:
With your help, a little donation or even by sharing this campaign, we can give this family of 14 a chance. Being healthier, life of the elder a bit easier and finally they can have the appropriate examinations, treatments and medications.
As important : I want to restore their dignity.
$ 12.000 is needed for ...
o Dental Visit for everyone and "solve the problems" ($ 1,000).
o Obliged heart medications Lado for the next 2 years (12 *70 *2 = $ 1,680). He takes no medication and this after open heart surgery.
o Medical examination for -joint, -high blood pressure, -heart and -muscle problems for both parents
o Treatments and possibly additional medication ($ 2,000).
o Medical tests for kidney problems and possible surgery for Ruslan
o The purchase and installation of additional heating (estimate $ 2,000)
o The purchase and installation of air conditioners ($ 2,000) to survive the hot summers with 40 -50 °C , 104 -122 °F (outside and inside)!
No gift is too small and will be greatly appreciated.
We thank you in advance for your kindness, interest and concern.
Everyone will be of course kept informed about the progress (if necessary with video and photos).
Peter & Inga
The campaign image shows the family in 2014
Top R
All children (my daughter Sophia bottom centre with glasses) and the parents-in-law in Belgian clothing, summer 2014. Of course they look friendly and are smiling just because we were there and proud in the new outfit they just got.
Bottom L & R
The neighbour down the street. The dog with my father-in-law in the background.
Campaign Details - Georgia
Georgia the most beautiful unknown landscapes
Full documentary 51' English spoken : Georgia & The Great Caucasus
Georgian Traditions
Traditional Georgian dance and music school
Dream away with this dance: SUXISHVILEBI - lazuri imedis dila Live
Georgian recipes
The cost of living
In Georgia, 50-55% of the population lives around the poverty line and 15% lives in extreme poverty. This due to a very high cost of living. You can compare Georgia (116th place) with the Ukraine (now) and Nepal, which do even slightly worse.
2016 : Cost of living ranking, the higher the numer, the higher the cost
There is no social security (only on paper) and the wages are low ($ 50-250 /month, $ 6-8/day), while fuel, a visit to the docter, medicine, medical treatments, electricity and many other things cost more than one-half and sometimes are as expensive as in Belgium. For a 'good' docter they have to go to Tbilisi, a 4 hours drive.
And what will happen after two years?
By then they have other breadwinners and I will be financially stronger.
Not included in the $ 12.000
Additional support for the next four daughters so they can study till THEIR 18. I would need $ 100 per month * 4 kids * 10 months, so $ 4,000 additional needs. $ 100 per month, the price per child for the last year in which they turn 18.
Ruslan worked in the special forces and on the battlefield during the last two civil wars in the Republic of Georgia. He lost his job in 2012 and since 2 years he works as a sort of private taxi-driver.
Also not included is a 'new' car for Ruslan as he drives 80.000 kilometers a year and the Skoda of my mother has more than 200,000 km on the counter.
"Including all non-included items" the total amount I need would be at least $ 30.000 + One month of salary loss as I am self-employed and my leave is not paid.
I hope this explains everything ...
Peter and Inga
My mother-in-law. We took her away from the house to relax 3 days at the sea side in a cheap hotel, she needed it, she was dead tired and stressed after another 12 hrs shift.
Cost of Living in Georgia NOW
Cost-of-living rankings_by_country 2016
To get an impression of Kutaisi
Me, Peter and my wife Inga 23/12/2016
The street where they live in
Mother Luda, Daughter Inga and GrandDaughter Sophia
Peter ( December 2016)
