Jobs for People w/disAbility Creates Independence

“Familias Especiales (FE) Is Dreaming Of A Life With A Nonviolent Melody,” was the theme for the Annual Assembly For Social Employment.  More than 40 persons gathered with their families to celebrate their employment in FE where they are part of the program for Social Employment and work in jobs  taking care of the natural environment, nutrition and education in FE.  These young people feel very lucky to have a job and are looking forward to new ways to improve their lives through employment.  During the social political crisis in Nicaragua (now 5 months) the unemployment rate has soared as many businesses are shutting their doors. The assembly was an opportunity for them to come together and share their experiences and their dreams, as well as their struggles.  Heimy the psychologist in charge of the Social Employment program gave a talk on the violence that a person with a handicap faces daily.  This produced a good discussion, especially with their family members present.  Other activities included dynamics to help them get to know each other better and to create support systems between the workers.   This assembly is their moment to share what their needs are and what their accomplishments have been during the year.   Each worker received a certificate for participation in the Social Employment program for 2018.

How do these young people come to work at Familias Especiales?  They come through various contacts some have been members of FE since they were born and some like Victor come through references of other groups.  A woman from Holland met Victor who is from a rural community 3 hours away from Matagalpa.  She was impressed that he was born blind and yet was studying English in the university.  He wanted to become a translator.  We got in touch with Victor and invited him to come and visit FE.  Whenever we had a brigade that spoke English we always invited him to come and shadow the translators that the group would have with them.  He always came accompanied, first with his mother and then later with a cousin, who was also studying English.  But Victor was really shy and had a terrible time trying to translate because of his blindness, he was not able to adapt, very easily.he needed more experience. Many brigadistas tried to help him and encourage him. It  became harder and harder for Victor to come to Matagalpa as he was finishing his studies but we kept contact with him through his cousin who moved to Matagalpa.  After Victor’s graduation we sent word that we had a job opening that we felt Victor could fill.  He and his mother came for an interview.  The interview was successful in that the coordinator offered  Victor the job in environmental protection  making paper bags.  Victor was very excited during the interview but his mother kept finding obstacles.  Finally, Hemi who was in the interview said to his mother.  “I don’t think Victor studied at the university in order to stay at home, and he needs to start somewhere.”  This caused his mother to think and she said “well we will call you next week to see if Victor will accept the job.”  It was more than a job that Victor was accepting, his cousin had already started working in the education program in FE and was part of an intentional community for people with a handicap that  had an opening for Victor.  This would be a great  chance for Victor to become independent.  Victor wanted to come but it appeared his mother was not ready to let go of her child.  This is often the case, we call it over protection, but all we  could do was wait to see if Victor at twenty three was able to convince his parents that it was time for him to take the risk, of accepting a job and independent living.

Victor called and Victor came to work at Special Families.  Xochitl who is also blind became his God Mother to help him in his first months to learn the ropes and adjust to the work environment.  All the workers welcomed Victor and he had to go through orientation. Victor is excited and is learning fast.  We might also call on him when he gets started to do some translation for brigades.  However, since the crisis in Nicaragua we have not had brigades or international volunteers.  But you can be sure that Victor will find a way to improve his job, recently he had an interview in our radio program and he really liked doing the interview so one never knows “When there is a will there is way” Victor’s cousin says as he is enjoying living in this intentional community with Victor and other young people. As I write this report Victor is celebrating with his co wokers his 24th birthday.