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Mentally disabled children serve customers after receiving training at Humanity Coffee. — VNS Photo Truong Vi |
HA NOI — "I still can't believe it was true, it was like a dream," Tam says, her eyes shimmering with tears as she recalls the very first time her grandson (name withheld) came to work as a waiter in the coffee shop.
Tam was speechless as she tried to explain her joy the first time she saw her grandson, suffering from Down's syndrome, carry a tray of drinks to a customer without forgetting to say "please have a drink, uncle".
Just like other workmates with mental disabilities like Down's syndrome and autism, the young boy was taught to communicate and practiced what he learnt by working as a waiter at Humanity Coffee on Nhan Hoa Street in Ha Noi.
The shop was opened in 2007 by Sao Mai – a centre that provides counselling, early detection and care, to mentally disabled children. The centre also creates opportunities for children to access education and training to improve their communication skills.
According to Dr Do Thuy Lan, the centre's director, children afflicted with mental diseases have very limited life and communications skills. There is an urgent need for compassion and sharing of responsibility among families and society to help these children lead normal lives, she says.
Here at Humanity Coffee, the children perform tasks they normally could not do without training: greeting customers, communicating with them, waiting tables, cleaning and making simple drinks.
The children practice for several hours at the shop, Lan says. "All the activities are designed to help them communicate with other people and maintain social contact. At the shop, the children don't work for a salary, they learn and live under the direction and care of their teachers."
Nguyen Thu Giang, a teacher of the centre, says the therapy is having positive results. "After months practising at the coffee shop, most of the children have become brave and friendly to others," she says.
Customers, some of which live far from the cafe, come to enjoy coffee and talk with the children. This, Lan says, is the best way for mentally disabled children to learn.
Vu Chi Thanh, an official says at the Thanh Xuan District People's Committee and a regular visitor to the shop, says he treats the children like he would any others and would like to do more to help them live meaningful lives and integrate into the community.
Aside from the coffee shop, the Sao Mai centre is working on a fish farming project which will help children with mental disabilities learn how to perform manual labour and learn the value of work.
Sao Mai Centre was set up in 2002 with sponsorship of the US Atlantic Philanthropies, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. — VNS