Guliver’s Story, Georgia
Photo by N. Kajaia/2014
Guliver Narmainia, 46, is one of over 280,000 internally displaced persons forced to flee Abkhazia and South Ossetia during the 1993 and 2008 wars. Trying to save his elderly parents’ lives he ran, leaving behind his belongings and his burning house, where he had grown up and had a fulfilling life. After 20 years of displacement he is now a father of six children living in Ergeta village, Zugdidi district, Georgia, in an old dilapidated house of his brother- in- law. The only thing which protects the wooden walls is decaying wallpaper. The wallpaper is so faded and torn, that you can see sunshine peeking through the holes. The floor is made of a thin layer of concrete. Usually the family of nine is gathered in one room where a stove sits, their only source of heating. This one room is where the family eat; sleep, study and play.
After Guliver’s father passed away, became the primary caregiver for his 79 year old paralyzed mother, Neli. The only income for the family, including one month old Kesaria, is an allowance received by all displaced people in Georgia, and a disability pension, together totaling 450 Gel (approximately USD 250) per month. Seasonally, Guliver is helps neighbors in the village to collect nuts; he is desperately searching for a permanent job but has not managed to find one. After being displaced for so long he still hopes to have a place where he can live with his family and call a home.
Text by Nino Kajaia/2014.
