The village of Khurvaleti, located near the administrative boundary line with South Ossetia, has become home to many internally displaced persons (IDPs) who fled their homes during and after the 2008 war.
More than a decade after the conflict, these families continue to face challenges in rebuilding their lives while living in the shadow of the occupation line.
Maia Beridze arrived in Khurvaleti in 2008 with her three children and nothing but the clothes on their backs.
"We left everything behind," she recalls. "Our house, our garden, our animals - everything we had worked for our entire lives."
Like many other IDPs, Maia's family was initially housed in temporary accommodation - a small room in a collective center that was meant to be a short-term solution.
Twelve years later, they are still waiting for permanent housing.
"We are grateful for the help we received, but we want to have our own home again," Maia says. "We want to feel like we belong somewhere."
Life in Khurvaleti is not easy for IDPs. Many struggle to find stable employment and adequate housing.
The proximity to the administrative boundary line creates additional challenges. The constant presence of security forces and the restrictions on movement affect daily life.
Children who were born after the displacement have never seen their parents' original homes, yet they carry the burden of being labeled as IDPs.
"My youngest daughter asks me why we are called displaced persons," says Nino Gvazava, another IDP living in Khurvaleti. "How do you explain to a child that she can't visit her grandmother's house because it's on the other side of a line she can't see?"
Despite the challenges, the IDP community in Khurvaleti has shown remarkable resilience and solidarity.
Neighbors help each other with everything from childcare to finding employment opportunities.
Local organizations and international NGOs provide various forms of assistance, including vocational training, psychological support, and small business development programs.
The local school has become a focal point for the community, bringing together children from both IDP and local families.
Finding stable employment remains one of the biggest challenges for IDPs in Khurvaleti.
Many had to abandon their traditional occupations - farming, animal husbandry, or small businesses - and start over in a new environment.
Some have found work in nearby Gori, but the daily commute is expensive and time-consuming.
Others have started small businesses in Khurvaleti itself, often with the help of microfinance programs designed specifically for IDPs.
"I used to have a small shop in my village," says Giorgi Margvelashvili, who now works as a taxi driver. "Here, I had to learn a completely new profession. It wasn't easy, but we had to survive."
Access to healthcare and education has improved significantly over the years, but challenges remain.
The local clinic provides basic medical services, but for specialized care, patients must travel to Gori or Tbilisi.
The school in Khurvaleti serves both IDP and local children, creating opportunities for integration and mutual understanding.
However, some IDP children struggle with the psychological effects of displacement and the uncertainty about their future.
Despite the hardships, many IDPs in Khurvaleti remain hopeful about the future.
Some have managed to build new homes with the help of government and international assistance programs.
Others have established successful businesses and become integral parts of the local community.
Young people who grew up in Khurvaleti are pursuing higher education and professional careers, though many still dream of one day returning to their ancestral homes.
"We have built a new life here," says Maia Beridze. "But we never forget where we came from. We hope that one day, our children will be able to visit the places where their grandparents lived."
The Georgian government has implemented various programs to support IDPs, including housing assistance, employment programs, and social services.
However, many IDPs feel that more needs to be done to address their long-term needs and ensure their full integration into society.
The status of being an IDP comes with certain benefits, but it also serves as a constant reminder of displacement and loss.
Some IDPs have chosen to give up their IDP status in order to move forward with their lives, while others maintain it in the hope of eventual return to their original homes.
The story of IDPs in Khurvaleti reflects the broader challenges faced by displaced populations around the world - the struggle to rebuild lives while maintaining hope for eventual return home.