Straddling both sides of the High Caucasus, South Ossetia is a spectacular landscape, peppered with ancient stone towers and dazzling white peaks.

The early 1990s war between Georgians and Ossetians resulted in wholesale destruction across South Ossetia, especially the capital Tskhinvali. Today the city remains little changed. The region still suffers from water and electricity shortages and ongoing tension between the communities.

Children of the Caucasus has assisted various organisations in and around Tskhinvali. We have set up and run courses, helped with schools and youth centres, working alongside the Norwegian Refugee Council and OSCE. In the photograph below, local artist Lavrenti Kosuev shows the painting of his home town before the war.

Lavrenti himself has devoted his time to providing a small island of hope for the city's many talented children in his Lycee school. 'Children of the Caucasus' worked alongside him and many others in Tskhinvali.

• More images of South Ossetia
• Paintings by children of South Ossetia