Cooperation with the association Piccolo Fiore- teachers attend study visit to Italy

In the period June 24- 28, 2015 teachers Zujca Stojanova from PS Goce Delcev- Konce, Nijare Sulejmani and Ajse Ljoki from PS Liria Tetovo attended the study visit within the project “Ponti di Solidarieta” organized by the Association Piccolo Fiore in Italy and supported by NDC Skopje. Besides the participants from Macedonia, the project included participants from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon, Kosovo and Palestine.

The aim of the study visit project was to highlight the need for better care for persons with disabilities and to present the work of several organizations that deal with the issue of socialization and education of persons with disabilities.

The organizers introduced the participants with Casa Lions community which houses people with disabilities and organizes workshop where young people create various items. The participants also visited Giovanni XXIII association and Aias family that cares for persons with disabilities.

The volunteers from the Centre for autism in Candelo presented their activities, facilities, materials and funds that work as well as the methods which enable children with autism to have an independent life.

The study visit enabled the teachers to get more closely acquainted with the methods of work and support of disabled persons in Italy and in countries which had representatives, to exchange experiences, to define the problems that disabled people face in everyday life, but also helped participants learn more about the importance of people that commit towards helping people with disabilities who require assistance, as their motivation, enthusiasm and awareness of such problems is at high level.

The Association Piccolo Fiore was established in 1984 in order to support the Humanitarian organization Domus Laetitiae. The associations’ actions are directed towards activities that support social solidarity, mainly in the field of inclusion and support of persons with disability. The association collaborates closely with other groups and voluntary organizations in the local community and is a member of the Volunteers Social Council for City of Biella, Italy.

The official cooperation between Nansen Dialogue Centre Skopje and the Association Piccolo Fiore was initially established in October 2014 when the associations’ representatives contacted NDC Skopje office in order to explore possibilities for cooperation and exchange of experience between the two organizations, particularly in the field of educational programs.