No commercialism and no income, but only personal resources...

“Zakaria’s Kind Car” - the name might bring different images to mind, and some might even picture a car with “kind headlights.” But it’s actually a project started by one person to help homeless animals and create a happier environment for them.

The story began when the founder, Tsuga Valiko, fell ill and needed help. “To support Valiko, I joined several groups. While helping, I came across stories of dogs in serious condition” says Zakaria Dolidze, the creator of Zakaria’s Kind Car.

He remembers seeing a poor dog with newborn puppies on Gotua Street, all lying in the mud, hungry and living in terrible conditions. “When I saw them, I quickly went home, took apart my parents’ closet, and built a house for them. Honestly, it looked quite funny,” he says.

Zakaria began his work alone, but gradually others joined in - friends and strangers alike and everyone seemed to have a “closet to dismantle” at home. Thanks to this effort, about 700 dog houses have been built so far.

“My goal was to raise awareness about the situation and inspire people to help living beings - and I believe I succeeded” says Zakaria. He also notes that kindergarten and school children, homeless people, and various organizations have shown great interest and often play important roles in supporting the cause.

Building dog houses with their own hands sparked even bigger ideas - like feeders, water dispensers, and wheelchairs for people with disabilities. It took three months to develop the perfect wheelchair design, but the result was warmly welcomed both in Georgia and abroad.

“They reached out to me from India, asking for a video guide on how to make water dispensers to place on the streets. Italian and German organizations were also interested in the carts, and I shared the cart designs with them completely free of charge. Now, homeless animals there can move around happily too” Zakaria explains.

There’s no commercial gain or income just what Zakaria and other volunteers can offer. That’s the heart of the Homeless Animals Project in Georgia. In the beginning, a small yard with a simple plank roof to protect wooden houses from the rain, along with the passion behind it, was enough. But as time goes on, running the project using only personal resources is becoming more and more challenging.

Zakaria’s Kind Machine needs more support to fully reach its goals. Unfortunately, there have been many cases of dog houses being vandalized and food bowls being filled with garbage, which slows down the spread of this good work.

Still, Zakaria remains hopeful: “Whenever I face problems and feel stuck, something new and exciting always comes along that gives me fresh energy” he says.

In closing, Zakaria’s Kind Machine is preparing to launch a major, important, and exciting project soon. We can only wait and see what this promising venture will bring.