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It started with the application
to the project "Constelação".
It lasted five years.
Its goal was to integrate young people
with mental disabilities into the job market.
At the end of the project,
the work developed with our members
was a huge success.
When it was over, the board of directors
took over its continuity.
The Occupational Centre includes
the Agricultural Workshop and two other.
The participants in the Agricultural Workshop
work together with members of the other workshops.
The supervisor of this workshop is agricultural engineer Dulce.
If there is any behaviour issue
or doubts about any task they are having trouble with,
I step in as an occupational therapist.
I help, I see what the problem is
and I try to find a solution with my colleague Dulce.
Our routine is always the same.
At 9:30 they go downstairs,
they put on their overalls and boots
and carry out their activities, where they are very autonomous.
Everyone knows what to do. We assign the tasks in the morning.
When they get here, everyone goes their own way.
Everyone goes to their work area and does their job.
This project started some years ago and we have been developing it.
They have been acquiring experience and skills
that are now solid and they carry out their assignments.
Our aim is not to produce, but to integrate these members
by motivating them and keeping them busy.
We aim to integrate them.
Work should not be seen as money-making, but as integration.
They should be regarded as normal people, like everyone else.
It's about self-worth.
The project coordinator
and the members who carry out these tasks
collect the products and deliver them
to the finance department
where they are properly weighed.
We do the balance sheet to have an idea of the annual production
and of the income.
Then, the institution gives them
to the Community Centres, where these products are cooked.
The Community Centres serve meals
to its members.
The food is prepared with care.
This food is genuine, it's unique.
It deserves our highest regard due to its quality.
It's important for them
because they know the food is grown with a purpose.
They know their products will be eaten.
That's important,
because they know that old folks eat what they grow.
People going by congratulate us
for the vegetable garden.
Our members take good care of the garden.
It's important for their self-worth.
I can see that the members feel useful.
They are emotionally well-balanced.
They have objectives.
They feel fulfilled.
I am a farmer to help the poor.
5 home support centres feed 200 members per day.
To help those in need.
I like to plant cabbages, tomatoes, potatoes, maize.
Turnips.
To dig.
To scatter manure.
To dig. To plant cabbages.
I like to work in the garden.
That's right. I'm happy.
I feel good and I'm happy
to help those in need.