Elene's Café

Elene lived in Ireland for six months as an irregular migrant. Before she left for Ireland she was unemployed in Georgia. A friend promised her a job as a cleaner, so Elene decided to move. She hoped to establish herself and eventually bring her family. However, she could not build a steady clientele because she did not speak English. After six months, she realized that she could not support herself and decided to return to Georgia.

Elene wanted to return but could not pay for her plane ticket. One of her Georgian friends told her that IOM could help her return, and that they would pay for her travel. Her friend explained that if she changed her mind, IOM would not pressure her to return. Elene visited the IOM office to get more information, and her return was organized for one month later. IOM assisted her in obtaining a valid I.D. from Georgia, since Elene’s had been lost.

Elene still struggled to find work after her return, but was eventually hired at a café. She earns a small share of the income when business is good, but in the winter there are not many customers. So after one month, Elene applied for the reintegration grant. With it, she was able to pay for most of the cost of a TV (she invested a small amount of her own money as well). The café can now show sports matches, play music, and host karaoke nights, which Elene says had made a difference to the business. “It makes people more comfortable and attracts customers.”

After six months in Georgia, Elene was visited by IOM staff from the Dublin office. She told them that in the first few weeks after she returned, she had a strong feeling of regret. She wishes she could have learned English before she left. It was hard for her to readapt to life in Georgia because she very much misses the Irish people and Ireland.

However, Elene explained that there have also been changes in Georgia. She is hopeful that they will bring good things in the future.