Old Blind Lady Seeks Shelter

Nana Pazhava, Zugdidi

Liana Malania, 70 physically disabled person has been seeking shelter for the last 17 years. However, all her attempts have been useless.  Liana Malania had been working in Zugdidi Educational and Entrepreneurial Innovation of the Association of Georgia’s Blind People. 17 years ago, the head of Association allocated money to Liana Malania. It was because of this money Malania became a member of house constructing union.  It was planned that Malania would receive a two-room apartment in a house that was still under construction at that time. Meanwhile, military operations started in west Georgia and as a result the constructing union was abolished and the house construction project stopped. Malania and her little boy were left homeless and she had to find shelter in her relative’s house. She spent her whole life in moving from one relative’s house to another’s. 

Liana Malania and her son Goga Emukhvari, 20 now live in an apartment of Liana’s sister on the 8th floor of a 9 storied house in Zugdidi city center. Several months ago Liana Malaina’s sister moved to her daughter’s house as she was unable to go up the stairs of the 8th floor and then come down by foot any more, as the building lacked an elevator. It is difficult for Ms. Liana to walk on stairs too, but she somehow manages to go up but it takes all her energy.

Liana Malania has been ill with glaucoma, the complete atrophy of eyesight nerve since 1964. She lost her eyesight completely in 2004. It is relatively easy for her to move in her sister’s house as she knows every corner there. Ms. Liana can do domestic work. She can prepare dinner and even wash clothes. However, she moves slowly, carefully and sluggishly.

Liana Malania: “I do everything for my only child. His existence makes me stronger. The only thing that makes me sad is that I will never see his face. I feel comfortable here but if I had my own home I would feel calmer.  It is sad that I will not have my own house even in my advanced and venerable old age. We lived in village Rike in my husband’s house. My oldest child died. My husband could not bear the grief and also died. It happened 20 years ago. On the day of my second child’s birth my mother-in-law died. I could not stay in the village with my new born child; the situation was just too difficult for me….”

In 1991 Liana Malania became a member of a house constructing comradeship. She was scheduled to receive a two-room-apartment.  The head of the Georgia’ Association of Blind People transacted 42,600 Russian Rubles to Zugdidi Transport Car Union for the purpose of constructing a house. The Union was building a house on the territory of Tea Factory #1 at the time. The construction was stopped in 1991-1992 for the well-known events in Georgia (wars in Abkhazia and South Ossetia as well as the Georgian civil war). The Transport Car Union was then abolished. However, the Union administration took into account the feeble situation of Mrs. Malania and sent a request to Zugdidi Multi-Branch Communal Entity to grant a house to Mrs. Malania. When the Entity agreed on the request the Association transacted Malania’s money on the Entity’s account on June 11, 1992.

Liana Malania: “Nugzar Malashkhia, the head of the Communal Entity told me that I could choose a house and they would buy me the house. This was when the houses were not being sold. Nobody was selling as the whole Samegrelo was occupied by Militias… I visited Malashkhia in 1996. He said: “Your money has devalued. What are you asking me? Your one Ruble costs 4 tetris now.” He said the same in his official letter. When I visited him for the second time he told me that my money had not been transacted on the Entity’s account at all… I became so depressed and could not get up from bed for a long period of time.”

On December 24, 2004 Liana Malania sent a letter to Mikheil Saakashvili. She was requesting that the responsible governmental bodies granted her an apartment or compensation in the form of money. Malania was also requesting additional money for moral damage. Malania was surprised when she received a quick reply to her letter. After one month, she was invited to the Office of Augdidi District Board of Administration. She was told that with the President’s order Communal Entity would give her an apartment. However, the words were not followed up with action.

Malania lodged an appeal in Zugdidi District Court in August, 2005. The court had received a letter from the District Governor before the case discussion started.

Liana Malania: “This is what Aleksandre Kobalia, District Governor wrote to me: “The money was not transacted at all. You were not on the list of people that were waiting for new houses. Consequently, you will not receive the apartment.” Nugzar Malashkhia told me: “You have taken the money yourself from the account. Why is it that you do not remember?” This was too much. I, blind woman had been slandered. When the government and judges understood that I would not compromise and not allow them to fool me they offered me a deal.”

On December 27th, 2007 Liana Malania and the head of Zugdidi Multi-branch Communal Entity signed an Act of Agreement according to which Nugzar Malashkhia, head of the Entity took the responsibly of providing appellant Liana Malashkhia with a two-room- apartment in Zugdidi city center immediately when Malashkhia has such an opportunity.  Liana Malashkhia herself acquired responsibility not to make a claim on the money in case she is not provided a two-room-apartment. The sides also agreed that the verdict on approving agreement act and ceasing the case would not be appealed.

The agreement was not infringed upon and July 4th, 2006 the House Commission of Zugdidi Multi-branch Communal Entity apportioned a ground floor of 9-storied building on Tamar Mepe Street # 3 to Liana Malania. However, this place was not appropriate for living.

Liana Malania: “I know that the ground floor was deemed for a venue for trade. There is nothing there except concrete walls. You can not get to the ground floor from the building’s hall. The stairs must be built from outside. Where shall I find money for it? Who will allocate money for this purpose? I own only a table. I have nothing else to sell. I spent everything on my son. I used to receive the social aid but they took it away. I was told that I “got two more points and that was over the cutoff (if a person crosses a definite limit and scores more than necessary will not receive social aid})and as a result I would not receive social aid.” Whom can I turn to ask for help now?!”

Liana Malania addressed District Board of Administration with the appeal to grant her a single grant of  assistance and give her 300 GEL. However, it is unknown yet what the commission that works on this kind of appeal will decide, and as 300 GEL is rather small amount to start the repair work for her newly received house the blind woman holds out hope that some international donor will provide some help to her.