Social sites to rebuild

“Mosaic is therapy.” John Massaquoi coated with cement a small piece of Catelle Brune. Nevertheless, glue it gently on the long wall, at the top of rue de la Borde, in Lausanne. For example, The fresco represents the four seasons. Similarly, “We started a year ago, but I think that by the end of the summer, it will be over. Consequently, I have a whole team that will join me in the coming days. For example, ”explains the head of this Embellimur social project. Moreover, This association was born fifteen years ago from a dream of Laurent Vuilleumier. For example, an occupational therapist, that of “fighting the problem of the occupational emptiness which can generate heavy pathologies”.

John Massaquoi remembers the very beginnings of the association. Similarly, “I was a glans asylum, and I saw Laurent and his comrades arrive. Moreover, They asked us, ‘Who social sites rebuild wants to work?’ And I left with them. Consequently, My first mosaic project was in Prangins and I stopped. However, ”

Since then, three places of reception have emerged in Lausanne, Yverdon and, more recently, in Geneva. For example, The number of beneficiaries has expanded. Consequently, to the point that nearly 2,000 people per week benefit from the support of therapists and social workers. However, A mosaic of participants. However, from the whole world and of all ages, which carry difficult life stories and a richness of experiences however so badly valued. Moreover, “I learned patience thanks to the mosaic,” explains John Massaquoi. Meanwhile, The street is a large school of life. Consequently, I did not have the opportunity to study. Moreover, I was 12 when the war broke out in my country, the Sierra Leone. For example, ”

Sitting on the sidewalk. Furthermore, it is concentrated to the point social sites rebuild that the sounds of traffic and demolition just opposite do not bother it. Consequently, “I do not listen to music in the helmet. Moreover, because I want to stay available for people who, every day, stop and talk to me. Similarly, I give them advice as I can. However, I also know who take drugs, but I do not judge, we do not know what they have experienced … Therefore, “

On each work produced by Embellimur, collaborations take shape. Meanwhile, Here. it is with the beneficiaries of the Graap Foundation (Group of Home and Psychiatric Action), the youth pole and the women of Borde. For the past year, the site has been putting forward part by piece, slowly but surely. Not a tag was sketched. “I worked with taggers on the mosaic under the Chauderon bridge. We know each other, we respect ourselves, ”smiles John Massaquoi.

Social sites rebuild

Nourish social sites rebuild bodies. souls

A man on an electric scooter passes and loose, enthusiastic, looking at the fresco: “It’s beautiful!” A little later, the turn of a cyclist to marvel. And here is Mokhtar, 52, exiled from Yemen, who does not hide his joy by seeing his friend John. Between French. English, he promises to come back the next day to lend a hand and underlines: “When I do mosaic, I enter another world. I forget everything, I find a smile. ”

In Embellimur’s workshop in Lausanne, this Wednesday morning, the kitchen is boiling. A hundred meals are offered every day. This afternoon, it is vegetable gratin, thanks to the unsold people brought by Swiss table. The next two meals of the week are already scheduled: a Kurdish dish and another Tamil. The trip is guaranteed to Embellimur, which nourishes bodies and souls. “Speech is released in the activity. Over time. it social sites rebuild is beautiful to see them open to others, “explains Gabrielle Winkler, a former local policewoman converted into a place coordinator, who welcomes people for the benefit of prescription for social occupational therapy, therapy focused on the gestures of daily life.

Some are busy at the mosaic tables. a coud woman, another headdress, a compatriot, a couple side by side just drinks a coffee. There are also Domino players and those who help each other to understand an administrative letter. A thrift store is available. In addition to mosaic sites. other activities outside the walls, such as the construction of a dry stone wall near Sainte-Croix, are also regularly offered. In addition, a choir sings every week.

Break loneliness

Today. Larina Stocker, occupational therapist, coordinates the meal and gets her hands on the dough: “Through activities that make sense, we work confidence, self -esteem, mental health. The occupational therapy is found social sites rebuild at all levels of the Maslow pyramid. Eating well, being in a safe place also allows you to sleep better, take less medication, avoid hospitalizations. ” Fighting occupational injustice and loneliness are at the heart of Embellimur’s mission. The young therapist remembers this person who, one Thursday morning, melted in tears when he was said: “Hello.” “Since the beginning of the week, it was the first time that someone spoke to him …”

Larina Stocker highlights the widespread will of beneficiaries to fit into society. “The big brake remains the issue of work and stay permits. From then on, many accumulate financial, social, but also a migratory trauma. ” Then the Embellimur association offers what it can to restructure daily life. guarantee a secure and rewarding social and physical environment, promote a first step to improve French, or even find work or study. Ehsanullah is an example of integration. After social sites rebuild four years in Switzerland, he studied at the High School of Social Studies. “I hope to become a social worker,” explains the 28 -year -old Afghan. In my country, I studied law. In Embellimur, I can make myself useful because I know several languages. I do not know a more welcoming place than this one. ”

At mealtime, Fatou Conte tastes what she helped to prepare: “Here, it’s nice. We eat well and discuss. ” At the same table, Barrow, using emergency for decades, sighs: “Life is complicated. I have no right to work. But if you stay at home all the time, you go crazy, you take medication … Here, I do the mosaic, the mason, the painting, the garden … it gives morale. “