Wounded Warrior Support Foundation, founded by Silknet, has supported hundreds of wounded military servicemen and veterans by financing medical treatments, surgeries, provision with medicines, adapting of living space for those in a wheelchair, professional re-skilling, etc.
Silknet, being the main donor of the fund, its contribution equals to one million GEL from 2018 to 2023. Overall, from the very scratch around 2.5 million GEL was raised as a result of Silknet’s initiative and consolidated effort of various Georgian and foreign companies and funds, individuals, as well as co-financing from the government. This amount was spent for the needs of military servicemen and veterans, who participated in wars in Abkhazia and Samachablo and in international peace missions.
According to the fund report, this year 19 beneficiaries have received support from January till April. There are 2 veterans and 17 military servicemen among these beneficiaries, who received support in the amount of 73 000 GEL. With this amount urgent surgeries were financed in Austria and Turkey, various medical treatments had been provided, as well as prothesis of lower limbs, provision with medicines and medical treatments for underage children and spouses.
As a result of cooperation with British Embassy in Georgia, underage children of military servicemen are getting courses of English Language at British Corner within the educational initiatives of the Embassy.
By the decision of the WWSF board since 2023 fund is supporting spouses of wounded warriors. Among medical and other type of support, wives of wounded warriors will be offered opportunities for professional re-skilling. Having this in mind, fund is starting active negotiations with international and local organizations as well as universities. Working out certain targeted programs for women economical empowerment will help them acquire new learnings and professional skills.
From the very start, WWSF is committed to cooperation with international organizations, appreciating the wealth of their experience and expertise in supporting wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. An important milestone in the life of the Foundation is its cooperation with an international charity, the Invictus Games Foundation (IGF). The Fund received a grant from IGF for purchasing seated basketball chairs for Georgia's wounded warrior team, established under the auspices of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia. Becoming a grantee of IGF gives fund additional motivation in its work, strengthens its commitment to serving Georgia's wounded warriors, and helps to reach more people.
By Silknet’s consistent support and involvement from other companies, as well as individuals and co-financing of the government the amount of raised donations is getting higher year by year. Last year 661 K GEL was spent for the needs of 53 wounded veterans and military servicemen and their underage children.
This year during January-May total contributions came up to 544 000 GEL so far.
2023 Contributors:
Silknet - 300 000 GEL
Georgian Business Association – 50 000GEL
Georgian Industrial Group – 50 000 GEL
Chioreli & Kacharava - 50 000 GEL
Archi Group – 10 000 GEL
Silk Hospitality – 5 000 GEL
Dimitri Abdushelishvili - 26 667 GEL
Bacho Chinchaladze - 10 000 GEL
Silk Road WInes - 24 258.60 GEL
Theodore Charles Jonas - 1 500 GEL
Tariel Mchedlidze - 2 600 GEL
Tamar Gagnidze - 5 000 GEL
Breadly Woodward - 1300 GEL
Nino Zambakhidze - 1 000 GEL
George Mikeladze - 4 000 GEL
Shota Gvinianidze – 1 000 GEL
Other individuals - 1 150 GEL
2023 is another step in the fund’s life, having continued further activities and realization of its plans. While publishing regular activities, WWSF aims to make this a common initiative of a whole society by consolidating around the fund to support wounded warriors.
Among other ways for supporting, Silknet offers special charitable number - 0 901 777 771. By dialing this number 1 GEL will be transferred to the fund’s account from Silknet mobile subscribers. The number is active for subscribers of all Georgian mobile service providers as well. Donation is also possible from WWSF web page by making bank transfer.
