Back to Georgia, Back to Hope: A Mother's Second Chance

Ia Sulashvili, a 41-year-old single mother of four, has faced many of life's harshest ordeals. Her journey through immigration spans over a decade, filled with moments of naïve hope, devastating hardship, and unimaginable loss. Today, she is back in Georgia with the help of IOM, trying to rebuild her life and focus on the future with her children by her side.

"If I hadn't faced problems in 2013, I wouldn't have left Georgia and put my children through this pain and confusion," Ia recalls about her difficult immigration journey.

Born and raised in Tbilisi in a loving family, Ia enjoyed a warm childhood with her two sisters. She pursued a Bachelor’s degree in German language and envisioned a promising career as a teacher. More than anything, she dreamed of having a large, happy family. However, life took a different course after her marriage. Conflicts within her former husband’s family culminated in the tragic loss of her newborn daughter. Devastated and fearful for her future children, Ia and her then husband made a desperate decision—to leave Georgia in search of a safer life in Europe.

Their journey began in France, where her eldest son, Vasil, was born in 2014. Life without legal status was harsh, and they often faced hunger and slept in their car. Seeking better opportunities, they moved to Germany, where her second son, Jemal, was born, but without stable housing or support, raising two small children was overwhelming. Returning to Georgia in 2016 for stability didn't last long, as her third child, Gabriel, developed serious health issues. Desperate for quality healthcare, they sought asylum in Switzerland. However, her application for asylum was not accepted. After seven years, she was unable to demonstrate financial capability to care for her four under-age children, who were then placed in social shelters.
 

Ia tearfully recalls, "The hardest time in Switzerland was when my children were put in a shelter. My children are the most important thing to me."

This was Ia’s breaking point. She could no longer gamble with her family’s fate. As soon as the court hearing decided to reunite her with her children, she applied for voluntary return. In September 2024, Ia together with her four children, returned to Georgia — this time, determined to stay.

Ia reached out to International Organization for Migration (IOM) Georgia mission from Switzerland to seek consultation and assistance for returning to Georgia. With funding from Switzerland, Ia also received a small reintegration grant that helped her to set up a special classroom equipped with necessary materials and books and started offering German language courses upon her return. Although her priority remains her children’s well-being, she hopes that teaching will also provide her with financial stability.

"My primary objective today is, firstly, to help my children achieve a sense of normalcy, and secondly, to attain financial stability and independence," Ia continues. She expresses hope that the assistance provided by IOM will enable her to reach these goals.

Ia’s story is not unique. In recent years, a growing number of Georgians have sought asylum in Switzerland and other EU countries, hoping for a better future. However, the success rate is staggeringly low. EU + countries reject over 99% of asylum applications from Georgian nationals, classifying Georgia as a safe country, thus most Georgian applicants are facing deportation or opt for voluntary return.

“Illegal migration journeys are harsh, especially for families with children as many face significant hardships along the way. Reintegration is never easy, but with the right support, returnees can rebuild their lives with dignity. Ia’s story is a testament to the strength of family and the resilience of the human spirit,” – explains Lars Johan Lonnback, Chief of Mission for IOM Georgia.

Recent years have seen an increase in returns of Georgian migrants to Georgia, mainly from EU+ countries. IOM Georgia has been implementing Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programs since 2003, providing return assistance to more than 20 thousand migrants and reintegration support to more than 6 thousand returnees.

While Ia’s dreams of a better life abroad were shattered, she found strength in returning home. Now, she is focused on rebuilding, determined to provide her children with the love and security they deserve—together, in the place they call home.