Four Rooms
A documentary photo project by Giorgi Shengelia
After the collapse of USSR and the brutal political, economical and social changes that followed it, a large number of Georgians were forced to leave their country and families to go abroad in search of employment. The women were the first ones to leave. They were leaving to become illegal workers in different European countries, USA, Turkey. They were and still are working, are making savings and sending it to their families in Georgia. Georgia is on the top of the list of the countries with the number of migrant illegal workers that left the country. From 5 million people living in Georgia during the last years of Soviet Period, 1.5 million left shortly after it collapsed. For most of the illegal worker women it has become impossible to travel for many years, so they can't return to Georgia and visit their families. Most of them remain prisoners of their situation abroad, but the money they earn and send to the country is the only solution for their families to survive. To save the money many, illegal worker women share one apartment and live together. Project Four Rooms tells the story of Salome, Irina, Kathy, Khatuna, Dali, Nazi, Laly, Eka, Nino - 9 women, all illegal workers living in one of these apartments in Florence, Italy.
Dali smokes the last cigarette of the evening. Florence, Italy, 2012
Medea moved from Georgia two years ago leaving her three years old daughter with her parents. She dreams to study and get employed in Italy. Florence, Italy, 2012
There is a house in Florence where newly arrived Georgian immigrant women live temporarily. They stay at the house until they find a job. Florence, Italy, 2012.
Natalia is on the phone with a friend of hers in Georgia. She tried to speak to her friends everyday because she is homesick. Florence, Italy, 2012.
Natalia, 28, is having her hair cut. She left her son in Georgia. Her parents are talking care of the child. Florence, Italy, 2012.
Every Friday, 9 month old Lado is left with the women for several hours. His mother, Natia, 29, moved to Florence from Tbilisi a year ago. She takes German language classes, to move to Germany hoping to find a job. Florence, Italy, 2012.
Mariam moved from Georgia two years ago leaving her three years old daughter with her parents. She dreams to study and get employed in Italy. Florence, Italy, 2012
8 years Elene has been living in Florence. She hosts all the other migrant women in her flat and helps them to find employment. Florence, Italy 2012
Meri is 62 years old. She arrived in Italy recently. She left her children and grandchildren in Georgia. Purpose to find job easily, she studies Italian. Florence, Italy, 2012.
Due to the fact that they are illegal immigrants their freedom of move- ment is limited as they cannot leave the house. For days they have to stare at walls and dream of the day when they will finally be able to get back on their feet. Florence, Italy, 2012.
Megi is 53 years old. During ten years she could only twice in Georgia to visit his family and relatives, the waiting room, is the quietest room during the winter time, this room is used for communication with immigrants. Florence, Italy, 2012
The most important thing for these emigrants is the faith that one day their sacrifice and hard work will pay off, that they will finally be able to find jobs, feed their families and pay their debts. Florence, Italy, 2012.
Khatuna, 40 is praying. She is working illegally during 8 months. She couldn’t return to Georgia even for the Wedding party of her girl. Flor- ence, Italy, 2012.
Nino lights up the cigarette of Medea. Nino arrived four years ago and Medea a year ago in Italy. Florence, Italy, 2012.
