Tamuna Museridze's eight-year quest to uncover her biological roots culminated in an unexpected reunion with her father, thanks to a Facebook connection. Feeling compelled to search for her birth parents after the passing of the woman who raised her, Tamuna's inquiry began in 2016 following a puzzling discovery of a birth certificate that cast doubt on her history.
"I was ready for anything, but her reaction was beyond anything I could imagine," she explained, recalling a harrowing initial phone call to the woman she believed to be her biological mother. The mother's vehement denial and anger dashed Tamuna’s hopes for a fairy tale reunion but sparked determination to uncover the truth about her adoption.
With the support of a Facebook group, ‘Vidzeb’ (I’m Searching), Tamuna unearthed a disturbing baby trafficking scheme in Georgia implicating thousands, leading her to question her own origins. As a journalist advocating for reuniting families, she felt a profound need to discover her truth, which was personal as well as professional.
A breakthrough arrived when she received a tip about a woman who possibly gave birth around her birth date, leading to a potential family connection. Despite initial reluctance, a DNA test confirmed that the woman was her cousin. Armed with that information, she persuaded her mother to reveal the name of her father, Gurgen Khorava.
Tamuna soon discovered that Gurgen had been following her heartfelt journey on social media and was deeply surprised to learn that she was his daughter. Their eventual meeting in Zugdidi was filled with emotion, as a simple Facebook search had inadvertently forged a familial bond.
Their connection revealed shared traits and interests, including a love for dance that Tamuna’s daughters also possessed, fostering an immediate sense of belonging. During a warm gathering with new relatives, the family embraced Tamuna, appreciating the striking resemblance she shared with her father.
Despite the joyous reunion, lingering questions regarding her adoption remained. In an emotional confrontation with her biological mother, Tamuna discovered that she had not been abducted but given up for adoption due to societal stigma and shame surrounding unwed motherhood in Georgia.
Tamuna expressed sadness over the 10 days spent in secrecy with her mother, noting how the pressure to misrepresent her story cast shadows over her newfound family relationships. However, she's resolved to uphold the truth in her advocacy work, feeling a responsibility to those who endured the tragic circumstances of being stolen from their families.
Though her biological mother's wishes prompted a rift between them, Tamuna found solace in her discovery of extensive familial connections, assuring her journey of familial understanding and acceptance continues as she engages with her father and newfound relatives regularly.
As the debate surrounding Georgia's adoption practices continues, the legacy of Tamuna’s search serves as a reminder of the profound impact of finding one’s roots and navigating the complexities of identity and belonging in the inquiry for truth.
