Ability school, Hungary

Project name: Ability school

Project location: Hungary, Pecs

URL Website: https://fogdakezemalapitvany.hu/programjaink/

URL Facebook or other social media channels: https://www.facebook.com/abilitycafe/

Project description:

Our youth’s constant question is: „I accept you, do you accept me?” They often talk about how valueless they feel and even the loving environment does not help this situation. To ease this problem we had to figure out a non-traditional method. This is how we created the Ability Café 2014 – Here I am accepted! Do you accept me? program. This project is aimed at the vocational training of people with disabilities so that in the future they have the opportunity to find employment or to be a volunteer in various restaurant business organizations as assistant cooks, bakers, waiters, barmen, etc. To provide an opportunity to find a place in the labor market and build a career. During the project, a website will be created with a new type of resume for people with developmental features as well as a learning online platform. It is planned to attract employers, where they can find a suitable employee for themselves. It is one of our old, big dreams to open our own coffee house with our own specialities. Maybe this dream will not come true in the near future, but maybe other organisations will have the chance and we will be just as happy as if the project would have been our own. In 2015 June we are planning to organise an Ability café camp with many colourful and exciting programs. We have a motto: If one dreams, that is only a dream. If many people dream at the samte time, that is the beginning of reality.

Goal and purpose of the project:

Create courses and trainings for disabled people to teach them new professions and social/work skills, basic on their work possibilities, to give them opportunity to be a part of labour market, to find work suitable to their capabilities, teach them and improve their knowledge. That project a part of Ability cafe project in Pecs. The active training and education program which aims to equip the staff to be able to lead a full life is provided by Hold My Hand Foundation. giving frontal information about our fellows, who have to live with handicaps, preconceptions, easing social condemnations, social presence, strengthening of the appreciation and inclusion, have an impact on the environment, helping our handicapped living a whole life, preparation for the open labour force. Our goal is to create an opportunity for social interaction. Those hanging out, talking and enjoying themselves can experience the presence of our staff by focusing on their humanity, their values and contributions instead of their handicaps. The Ability Cafe creates a living relationship between the people living with handicaps and the surrounding society thereby helping their integration and acceptance.

Motivation of the applicant / applicant team:

Being a volunteer of the Hold my hand foundation, I take part in the Ability cafe project and also created my own healthy food culinary club for people with mental problems and disabilities. Each of them reveals the talents by participating in cooking simple tasty and healthy food, they are very happy to spend time together and see the result of their work. Ability Café 2014: Our youths’ feedback of themselves How did you feel yourself during the progam? What kind of changes have this work had in your life? Barcsa Zoltán / 30 years old • I could try myself somewhere else, I don’t only do what I am used to at the candle workshop • I have learnt something new, I have learnt to serve • I am happy to be part of the program • It felt good to be accepted • My communication developed, I could talk to new people • I can master my negative feelings, for example a man read our Ability Café sign and he asked me, if there is anyone normal serving coffee. I answered, it is only me, he ordered and I perfectly served him, I was very angry with him! • I conquered my sense of feeling tired • I learnt to serve draught beer Lénárt Balázs /34 years old • I have opened up • I became braver, I was afraid to serve people • I ask more, I speak more at home than before • I could go out from the daycare to work • Everybody was content with me • The serving went good Pozsgai Eszter / 40 years old • I could meet new people • The work was not monoton • I could gain new experience • There were many people from the Televisiion, the radio, we were in newspapers, this was good, because many people know now what we are capable of • I am becoming silent • I am becoming more calm • I see now, if I need to help, I work at home more • I was afraid how to travel to Griff, but I have learnt the way Csohány Melinda / 29 years old • I enjoyed to have learnt a new job besides serving • I made the snowflake drink for the guests • I was always on time • I am braver, I talked a lot with the guests • I developed a relationship with Dorka, I helped her a lot • I am thankful that Gyöngyi invited me to the group • I was afraid, I didn’t make the right decision • Gyöngyi helped me a lot, she was very patient when I couldn’t learn something • I am glad that I could try myself, in another part of life Nagy Dorka /27 years old ,mozgássérült • it was good to work somewhere else than the daycare • My leg hurt, I worked a lot, I cleaned a lot of tables • It is important to show ourselves in the TV, radio and newspaper • I accepted from Gyöngyi, that this is a good experience • I learnt to pay attention to other people • I became patient and disciplined • I have also learnt, that I am not important, I must wait until the others finish what they want to say Ivanova Liliana/25 éves, Down syndrome • I felt I am becoming a whole new person • I was there mentally and physically all the time • I was happy that I could do what all the other employees at the bar • I was happy that a family asked me to play with their children • I was accepted here

Use of prize money:

Renting a room,
buying the necessary equipment for teaching rooms equipment,
sewing uniforms (aprons) for teachers and students,
creating an advertising company,
publishing books with recipes and training materials,
Updating our design
Advertising sign
Flyers, posters, printing    piece
Uniform
Organisation employee/social specialists fee
Communication employee fee (website, Facebook, media appearance)
Media appearance
Communication (telephone, internet)