Empowering Independence: Inside Moldova's 'Protected House' Program
Cultivating vegetables in greenhouses, tending to poultry, and adjusting to life beyond the confines of the psycho-neurological internment facility in Bădiceni are endeavours undertaken by five individuals benefiting from the "Protected House" program.
This initiative serves as an alternative to placement centres for adults with mild intellectual disabilities. Five years subsequent to their departure from the internment facility, these individuals have seamlessly integrated into society, acquiring the skills necessary for independent living.
Each resident of the protected house in Bădiceni assumes their own set of responsibilities. Anatolie Drozdov oversees the cultivation of vegetables in the greenhouses, providing produce for the household's winter sustenance.
"We find fulfilment in our occupation within this protected dwelling. With our garden, we have planted potatoes, onions, and garlic to ensure provisions for the upcoming year. I have gleaned essential knowledge from fellow individuals and neighbours alike. It is gratifying; one must derive pleasure from tending the soil, embodying the role of caretakers," Anatolie remarks.
"In our garden, we sow crops to meet our dietary needs, including beans, potatoes, and an assortment of other vegetables," Angela adds.
"I tend to the chickens, ensuring their welfare, maintaining household cleanliness, and undertaking cooking duties to the best of my ability. The warmer weather is welcomed as it allows for greenhouse upkeep and soil cultivation. We shall soon commence hoeing," Margareta expresses.
Guiding the beneficiaries through their household tasks is a dedicated social worker, Larisa Pașa, who provides assistance throughout the day, aiding them in managing their responsibilities.
"They may possess disabilities, yet they exhibit remarkable diligence, intelligence, obedience, and industriousness. Upon awakening each morning, they dutifully attend to poultry care and pursue their individual tasks in the garden. I am pleased with their compliance and our collaborative efforts. They seek guidance when needed. Within this household, they assume considerable responsibility, demonstrating mutual respect, assistance, shared meals, and collective labour. They resemble a cohesive family unit," notes Larisa Pașa.
It is noteworthy that since the inception of the deinstitutionalization process for individuals with mental disabilities in 2016, fifty individuals have departed from the psycho-neurological internment facility in Bădiceni. Subsequently, they have become beneficiaries of the "Protected House" program. Within the Soroca district, eight similar social centres are operational, established with financial support from the European Union and the Soros Moldova Foundation.
Translaiton by Iurie Tataru
