A social media platform for parents expanded to in-person support and educational events

Solution: Mshoblis Skivri
Organization: MAC - McLain Association for Children
Country of Implementation: Georgia
Region: Europe
Subregion: CIS and Associated States
Start Year: 2019
First published: 03.12.2023

MAC Georgia's Mshoblis Skivri, Georgia: Founded during COVID-19 to support parents of children with disabilities. By 2023, conducted over 2,500 consultations and engaged 3.45 million users via social media channels.

This image shows a group of children and adults gathered outdoors for an event. The setting appears to be a park or wooded area, with various colorful mats laid out on the ground for seating. The children are engaged in activities, some wearing festive crowns, suggesting a playful and inclusive atmosphere. Banners and balloons add to the festive environment, and there is a sign that reads "MAC Georgia," which could indicate the event is organized by or associated with a specific group or organization. The presence of educational materials on the stands suggests that the event might have a learning or awareness component, promoting themes such as community engagement, education, and inclusivity. — MAC Georgia offers support to families of children with disabilities, online and in person.

Solution details

People

Jeremy GASKILL

“We connect parents to information they can trust, no matter where they live.” Jeremy Gaskill, CEO, MAC Georgia

MAC Georgia is an NGO based in Tbilisi, Georgia, that founded Mshoblis Skivri (‘Parents’ Chest’) during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide education, technical, and peer support to the parents and families of children with disabilities. Started as an online service only, MAC Georgia quickly added events and personal consulting as the demand grew. By 2023 over 2,500 consultations were conducted and 3.45 million users engaged via the MAC Georgia social media channels.

Problems Targeted

There is an extensive knowledge gap for parents of children with disabilities in Georgia.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

In just a few years Mshoblis Skivri (‘Parents’ Chest’) has become an important online resource for the parents and families of children with disabilities in Georgia. Initiated during the pandemic, it was created to provide essential information on caring for children with disabilities. Mshoblis Skivri was developed through Facebook Live training sessions, covering topics such as feeding, wheelchair positioning, and adaptive aids. Over time, it expanded into the ‘real world’ and included parents’ groups, individualized support, and in-person events. Live events on various social media channels feature local experts from the broader disability network and cover a wide range of disability-related topics. These sessions provide opportunities for interaction, allowing viewers to get answers in real-time. For those in need of personalized guidance, one-on-one consultations with a specialist from the MAC team are available. While both remote and in-person events are held for all parents in need, the greatest impact of Mshoblis Skivri has been found among families who live in remote rural areas who have very limited access to professional support and guidance. Over time, a wider range of stakeholders has emerged, including inclusive and special education teachers, professional rehabilitation service providers, medical doctors, and universities that offer disability-related programmes.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Since its inception in 2008, MAC Georgia has received base funding from a US foundation. It also engages in local and international fundraising and applies for national government grants. MAC Georgia continues its outreach to ethnic minority populations and internally displaced persons. A planned initiative is a ‘readiness training’ for parents in assistive technologies, which will introduce and discuss relevant products and services as they become available in Georgia. (Awardee 2024)