The activities of the Alternative Care Centre Žēlsirdības māja are geared toward orphans – disabled from childhood with cognitive disabilities and who have reached adulthood and have left state care institutions: a children’s home or special boarding school. They have lived like injured “birds" in golden cages; now they have to begin independent lives – their independent flight.
These young people fall into the risk category; they are subject to public rejection and often live in deep poverty. Public perception of them is often negative because these people are different. These people do not understand why the closest people have left them, why someone in the orphanage treated them cruelly – they feel humiliated, deceived. They haven’t they been taught how to act in different situations. How to find an apartment, how to get a job, how to care for their livelihood and health.
Involvement in the activities of Žēlsirdības māja gives them the awareness of a valuable member of society and prevents young people from possible involvement in the criminal world.
Currently, the Žēlsirdības māja is providing support to 12 young people and four of their children, as well as to those young people who spend weekends at the Žēlsirdības māja Centre and its branches. There is a small agriculture subsidiary farm that gives them the chance to learn about animal care and land cultivation. Dinner is eaten in a family setting at one table, which gives the feeling of family and awareness that these people are needed by somebody, that they are not abandoned, but are loved. While working together and learning to milk cows, goats, to feed chickens, rabbits and dogs, the young people start to feel important and needed because the animals are waiting for them and they demonstrate their faithfulness. By participating in the lessons and performing daily tasks, young people learn how to respect a loaf of bread and understand that it is their hard work that provides their welfare.
The project plans to provide the daily functions of the Alternative Care Centre, providing the chance to regularly cover payments for public utilities, food supply and other daily expenses. LVL 1 090 per month are needed for the Alternative Care Centre Žēlsirdības māja to provide daily support to 12 young people.
Project implementer: Alternative Care Centre Žēlsirdības māja. Alternative care for young people with cognitive disabilities.
Help give injured "birds” flight!
Project published in the portal: 9 March 2009
The Project is placed online on: 20.11.2014
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