Stories Untold: Return of Georgian Migrants: Zaira Kandelaki

I went to Greece in 2008. I thought I would be away for 3 years only. I wanted to help my children, give them higher education. I do not have university education myself and I wanted a better future for them. I thought that I would return soon, but I had to stay there for 10 years. The first stage was particularly difficult, when you have to adapt to certain things. I had a very difficult job and I don’t even want to think about how I snuck into Greece.

I came back last year, in 2018, and I bought two cows with IOM’s support. I have two calves, I produce and sell cheese, sometimes milk and matsoni too. My children live in Tbilisi. My husband helps me with everything. We are both pensioners and what we have is enough for us.
 

Photo: Dina Oganova