World Vision's Child Friendly Spaces in the Georgian capital Tbilisi have teamed up with a local food production company JSC 'Nikora' to provide 60 internally displaced children with regular filling and nutritious meals while they enjoy structured play and informal learning at the centres.

Displaced since the outbreak of the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict in August last year, many of the children who now live in shelters and centres for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have missed eating varied and tasty food – particularly meat. JSC Nikora is providing meat, dairy products and semi-finished food products at reduced prices and delivers the food at no charge to World Vision. This is the first time that World Vision has engaged with a Georgian company in local fundraising or attracting local support.

'Last summer the company made a similar charitable contribution to the people affected by war,' said Mako Jaoshvili, Head of JSC 'Nikora' PR Department 'The company helped the displaced population of Shida Kartli not only materially but also with food stuffs. The partnership with World Vision Georgia is our company's good will and we hope to continue it in future as well.'

Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) aim to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of children affected by disasters and emergencies, such as the displacement of thousands of people following last year's conflict.

CFS's are safe and comfortable places where children and youth can meet and interact with new friends, play sports, obtain formal and informal education in a structured environment and learn competencies to deal with the risks they face. Children and youth also receive a daily hot meal, which in some cases may be their one and only full meal for the day.

'This is a brilliant opportunity to unify the efforts of an international and Georgian organisation in order to assist conflict-affected children. World Vision Georgia appreciates this contribution and hopes for further partnership,' said Natia Gabelia, Child Friendly Spaces Project Manager.

'Everyday I can't wait to come to the centre. I feel so happy and safe here,' said Tako Mirianashvili 13, from Achabeti village. 'I have gained many friends. We play, learn and laugh together. Besides, we are offered the most delicious food. I especially love the sausage and cutlets.'

'I would like to thank for this noble contribution both World Vision Georgia for establishing CFS and 'Nikora' for its sensitiveness to provide our children with high quality food products,' said Mariam Babutsidze, 47, mother to a child who spends time at the CFS.

The Child Friendly Spaces currently accommodate about 130 internally displaced children; 70 in the village of Sakasheti in Shida Kartli region and 60 in four Tbilisi centres. The project was launched in October 2008 and it is scheduled to end by the end of December 2009.

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