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Catégorie du projet : educate

Renacer: Supporting Young People with Disabilities in Placetas

Objectif

Responsable du projet

Martica

Nombre de bénéficiaires

30 families

Le projet

In Placetas, the project is called “Renacer.” It is led by a team composed of a project coordinator, a priest, a Fidesco volunteer, and eight volunteers responsible for organizing the gatherings. Once a month, families are welcomed for an afternoon in the parish boarding school facilities. Young people with disabilities take part in various educational and recreational activities led by the volunteers: drawing, painting, dancing, educational games, and craft workshops. The outdoor space also allows for activities that encourage mobility and participation for everyone, regardless of their abilities. At the same time, Father Paul Alexandre offers families a time for spiritual reflection, listening, and sharing. These gatherings are also an opportunity to receive advice and support. Health professionals — psychologists, speech therapists, and educators — occasionally take part to offer training sessions and support parents in their daily lives, addressing topics such as interpersonal communication, care for people with disabilities, and family dynamics. Each meeting ends with a shared snack, a simple moment that strengthens the bonds between families, volunteers, and the young participants. Beyond these gatherings, priests and missionaries also visit people with disabilities in their homes. Some live in great isolation due to the lack of adapted structures or medical equipment. In this context, MissionCuba seeks to respond to the concrete needs of families. Thanks to the support of donors, it becomes possible to provide valuable material assistance: food, clothing, medicines, and essential equipment for the daily lives of these young people. In the longer term, the mission also hopes to create a day center in Placetas, offering the young people of the Renacer project a regular space for support, activities, and community life.

L'histoire du projet

The Aprendiendo a crecer project is an initiative that began within Caritas Cuba in 2001, with the aim of accompanying the most vulnerable members of the community. In Cuba, the current economic situation strongly affects the most fragile people. People with disabilities are often among the first to suffer from these difficulties, as many depend on medical treatment, specialized equipment, or constant support from their families. However, public institutions lack the resources to meet all these needs, and some families find themselves very alone in facing the challenges of everyday life. In this context, the presence of the Church becomes an essential source of support for many families. Across Cuba, the program currently supports 1,574 people with disabilities and more than two thousand members of their families, through over 100 groups throughout the country, thanks to the commitment of more than 400 volunteers. Through this program, Caritas and parish communities seek to promote greater social inclusion for people with disabilities by valuing their abilities and supporting the families who accompany them every day.