In her quest for identity, Tamuna Museridze faced the emotional turmoil of searching for her birth parents, a task that took eight years and revealed painful truths about Georgia’s hidden history of baby trafficking. Tamuna, driven by a need to know her origins, made a heart-wrenching phone call, believing she was contacting her biological mother. Her hopes quickly shattered when she received an angry denial, leaving her more determined than ever to learn about her past and the identity of her father.
The investigation began in 2016 following the death of the woman who raised her. While clearing out her belongings, Tamuna stumbled across a birth certificate with inaccurate information, igniting a deep suspicion that she had been adopted. To aid in her search, she established a Facebook group called Vedzeb, meaning "I’m Searching," unaware that this decision would uncover a wider baby trafficking scandal that affected countless Georgians.
Despite being a journalist who had aided the reunions of numerous families separated by adoption, Tamuna’s own origins remained a mystery until the summer, when a message in her Facebook group revealed a potential lead. It detailed a woman in Tbilisi who was said to have given birth around the time of her birth—September 1984. With a name provided, Tamuna ventured into the digital world again, only for a woman to respond and identify the birthing woman as her own aunt.
After a DNA test confirmed familial ties, Tamuna reached out to her biological mother once again, who eventually revealed her father's name: Gurgen Khorava. In a twist of fate, Tamuna discovered Gurgen had unknowingly been following her story on social media for years, completely unaware he was connected to her.
Their meeting in Zugdidi was filled with emotion; as Tamuna approached, her father immediately recognized her. Together, they spent the day bonding over shared interests, food, and music, immersing themselves in each other’s lives. Yet, amid this joy, Tamuna still questioned her origins and whether she had been stolen at birth—a fate that affected many children in Georgia.
In an unexpected reunion later filmed for a documentary, Tamuna confronted her biological mother again. The truth was finally laid bare: she had not been stolen, but rather given up in secret after a brief encounter between her parents. The knowledge that she had spent days with her mother after birth without ever being acknowledged led to another layer of pain.
Tamuna's quest for family has resulted in newfound relationships with half-siblings and cousins, establishing deep connections that she cherishes. Despite the heartbreaking revelations about her adoption and the aftermath of her mother’s choices, she remains committed to uncovering the truth and honoring the stories of others affected by the painful legacy of child trafficking in Georgia.
As she embraces her new family, the complex tapestry of her past shapes her into a voice for those still searching for their loved ones, affirming her conviction that revealing the truth is a catalyst for healing.
