Homeless Greeks of Georgia by Justyna Mielnikiewicz (April 5, 2010) 
(15 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)
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Introduction by Margo de Beijer
When I stumbled across Justyna Mielnikiewicz work it appealed to me and I felt an urge to show it here as she voices an opinion that I feel is true of journalism. She claims she cannot promise to help anyone or change their life by showing people’s hardship. With this statement she proves to me she is a true journalist. She relates to the people who’s image and lives she’s portraying and by doing simply that, she gives them a voice. A chance to be seen and heard off. Which I believe is the least we can offer one another.
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Our poll "A photo essay always needs a great written story" closed. 267 people voted, 28% agrees, 72% disagrees. 233 people answered our follow-up question "Are you a photographer?" 82% indicated they are, 18% said no. Initially, negative answers to question #1 were almost 100% as was the pecentage of photographers among respondants. Then, when the level of non-photographers started to rise, the percentage of people indicating good text is always essential started to rise too. This seems to indicate that non-photographers think that adding good text to your photo essays is essential. In my opinion: if you want non-photographers to dig your work, you know what to do...
Tsalka was traditionally a Greek town in Javakheti-south Region of Georgia, when Greeks formed the second largest ethnic group in the region. Due to economic and social hardships, the population reduced drastically in the past 15 years. Most Greeks left for Greece while some moved to the capitol. The houses they left behind were in many cases occupied by illegal squatters. The 1989 Soviet census put the number of Greeks in Georgia at 100,342 (1,9%). The 30.000 Greeks who once inhabited the Tsalka region now number approximately 1500.
I always preferred to call myself photographer. I cannot promise to people I photograph that my work will bring any change to their life or help them in anyway. I believe that one by saying “I am a journalists ” is making some kind of promise.
Justyna Mielnikiewicz is a photojournalist from Poland. Based in the Republic of Georgia she mainly covers the countries of the former Soviet Union. She regularly publishes her work in The New York Times, Newsweek Poland and Eurasianet.org.
Justyna Mielnikiewicz (1973) lives and works in Tbilisi, Georgia.
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