Tamuna Museridze embarked on a life-altering quest to find her birth parents that spanned over eight years, beginning with the death of the woman who raised her. While clearing her deceased guardian's home, she stumbled upon a birth certificate bearing her name, but with an incorrect birth date, sparking suspicions about her adoption. Driven by the desire to know her roots, she launched a Facebook group called Vedzeb, translating to "I'm Searching," in hopes of connecting with her biological family.
What began as a personal investigation soon intertwined with the revelation of an extensive baby trafficking scandal in Georgia, where countless parents were deceived into believing their newborns had died. Tamuna, a journalist by profession, had been involved in reuniting families affected by this issue, yet her own origins remained a mystery until a breakthrough in the summer of 2023.
A message from a rural Georgian user in her Facebook group pointed to a woman suspected to be her birth mother, providing crucial information, including her name. A subsequent DNA test confirmed that Tamuna was indeed related to this woman as a cousin. With newfound evidence in hand, she confronted her mother, who finally revealed her father's identity: Gurgen Khorava.
Excited yet cautious, Tamuna turned to social media to locate Gurgen and was astonished to realize he had been following her journey. They were already friends on Facebook for three years without either of them knowing their connection. When they finally met in Zugdidi, it was an emotional moment marked by a profound, immediate recognition between father and daughter.
Overwhelmed with emotions, the reunion unfolded amidst conversations filled with shared interests and family stories. Gurgen’s family welcomed her with open arms, introducing her to half-siblings, cousins, and a warm meal steeped in tradition—a stark contrast to the cold reception from her birth mother. Their nostalgia-infused gathering, with Gurgen playing the accordion, emphasized their newfound familial bonds.
Despite the joyous reunion with her father, Tamuna grappled with lingering uncertainties about her adoption. In October, during a filming for a Polish documentary, she confronted her birth mother about the painful suspicions of having been taken from her. In a shocking revelation, her mother disclosed that there was no trafficking involved; she had surrendered Tamuna out of shame from a brief encounter with Gurgen, thus keeping the secret hidden for four decades.
The confrontation left Tamuna with a myriad of emotions, recognizing she had spent a significant yet brief period with her mother before her adoption. Her mother requested that she portray her adoption story as one of abduction, which Tamuna felt was disrespectful to many affected families. Following this confrontation, the two have not spoken again.
Although facing complexities regarding her origins, Tamuna reflected on her journey and expressed no regrets. Not only had she uncovered the mystery of her family, but she also gained a deeper understanding of her roots, newfound relatives, and the hidden narratives surrounding her adoption. Tamuna continues to stay in touch with Gurgen and plans to celebrate the holidays together, cherishing the meaningful connections she has forged through her remarkable quest.
