In December 2019, during a quiet evening over dinner with close friends, a simple conversation planted the seed of what would become the Georgian Heritage Foundation. We were reflecting on our community, on how the Georgian language and culture were slowly slipping away for many families living abroad. I shared a personal concern, knowing that my own daughter, Sofia, couldn’t read or write in her native language at that time. It felt like something precious was fading, not just for my family, but for so many others in the diaspora. As we talked, my friends encouraged me to consider taking action. “Why not create a place where our children can learn the language, where our culture could thrive?” they asked. At first, I hesitated. I was juggling a full-time job, family responsibilities, and volunteering - how could I possibly add something as significant as starting an organization to my plate? I had no experience, no resources, and no idea where to begin. But their belief in the vision stayed with me, and slowly, the idea began to take root.

I started researching in every spare moment, reading about nonprofits, thinking about how we could serve the Georgian Diaspora in a meaningful way. I discussed the idea with my family, and soon, my son Avto, who had just graduated as a UX Designer, helped me create a logo that represented our mission. We combined the image of the Golden Gate Bridge with the Borjgali - the rising sun - symbolizing eternity, hope, and the resilience of our culture. By March 2020, Georgian Heritage Foundation became official. Little did we know, the world would soon change in ways none of us could have imagined. The challenges of the pandemic, and later the devastating Bay Area fires, brought uncertainty and fear, but they also deepened our sense of community. In those moments, I knew that bringing people together, preserving our culture, and passing on our traditions was more important than ever.

With the support of our friends, families, and the entire Georgian community, we held our very first event - a Harvest celebration. It was a simple but powerful gathering, a reminder that even in the hardest of times, we find strength in each other and in our shared heritage. Since then, the Georgian Heritage Foundation has grown in ways I could have never imagined, all thanks to the unwavering support and encouragement of our community. It is a reminder that when we work together, we can preserve something truly priceless: our language, our traditions, and our culture.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. We have only just begun, and with your continued support, we will keep building a brighter future for the Georgian Diaspora.

With love and gratitude,

Liana Nitsetskaia