BETESDA 2018

The Betesda Foundation is a non profit organisation established in 1994, with the purpose of contributing to the development of people with learning or physical disabilities, and therefore "The rehabilitation guidance, and education of those suffering from learning or physical deficiencies which prevent them from integrating in society at the same rhythm as other people." The Betesda Foundation Residence Belisana, is open 365 days a year, 24h a day and hosts people with different disabilities. The residents usually stay in the Occupational Centre between 9 and 17 hours, and then start with their residence time table. There are two different routines: weekdays and weekends. During weekdays there are 2 social integration technicians and 4 careers working in the Residence. The nights are covered by two careers, and in the morning between 7:30 and 9 there are 6 professionals attending the morning routine and conducting the residents to their occupational workshops. All the activities in the morning are mandatory for the beneficiaries, but in the afternoon there are some mandatory and some voluntary activities. Mandatory activities are all related to personal hygiene, caring for belongings and premises, and creating and maintaining satisfactory personal relations and a social climate. The Foundation Betesda will ask the volunteers to help and support the staff with their daily activities with the disabled people. Volunteers will participate in the workshops organized in the residence (with wood, flowers, music, painting) and leisure activities (cinema, restaurants, theatre, youth festivals, trips to the mountains...). They will be asked to support residents in the care attention (shower, meals, etc.).