President awards local activist for charity

Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili has awarded local activist Akaki (Aka) Sinjikashvili with the St. Nicholas Order for his "charity, and selfless service to the country and people”.

Margvelashvili presented the award today to the 30-year-old activist who has organised a number of charity campaigns in Georgia at the Avlabari Presidential Palace in Tbilisi.

"What’s most important is the emotion that comes personally from you and also the emotion that your activities creates among people”, Margvelashvili told the activist at the award ceremony.

As he accepted the award Sinjikahsvili, who began his charity activities in March of 2016 by transforming his car into a cab to buy breakfast for the homeless, said today is one of the most exciting days of his life.

Aka Sinjikashvili visibly excited while accepting the award. Photo: President's press office

Sinjikashvili is known as a social activist who organises campaigns to help socially underprivileged individuals in Georgia.

Over the past year he has initiated and participated in a range of charity events including gathering warm clothes for people and successfully raising money for complex surgeries for youngsters.

From March of 2016 to the end of the year Sinjikashvili:

• Raised 92,870 GEL;
• Funded eight surgeries;
• Funded the rehabilitation process for another eight people;
• Paid flat rents for 32 families;
• Roofed and renovated five homes;
• Distributed 50,000 breads;
• Gathered and distributed more than 12 tonnes food;
• Gathered and distributed 21 tonnes of cloths;
• Found jobs for eight people;
• Helped 30 single parents;
• Furnitured seven houses;
• Bought wheelchairs for 10 disabled people;
• Bought cattle and poultry for poor families in rural areas;
• Paid communal taxes during winter months for 34 families.

Read more about how he got started here.