More than 100 persons with disabilities displayed their handmade works at an exhibition and sale mounted before Easter. According to the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family, the event is aimed at promoting the rights and image of the persons with disabilities and at sensitizing society to their social integration needs, IPN reports.

Minister of Labor Stela Grigoras said the exhibits were made by talented children and adults with extraordinary aptitudes. She urged the visitors to buy the objects made by persons with disabilities for supporting them not only morally, but also financially.

“We were today united by our quality of being humane and of doing nice things. We must admit that each of us has some needs. We all want to be loved, appreciated, supported and encouraged. These are actually special needs on which we depend and without which we cannot live. That’s why we are here today – to learn to give and to receive love, attention and encouragement from the dear ones,” she stated.

The representative of the Alliance of Organizations for People with Disabilities of Moldova Galina Climov said this exhibition represents a stage in the social inclusion of persons with special needs because these also have the right to an active life.

The event was staged with the financial support of the UK charity organization “Lumos”. Head of The head of “Lumos” Europe Alexander Christopoulos said the results achieved in Moldova as regards the rights of institutionalized children are given as an example in other countries. “I’m proud to be here near you, to see these wonderful children and young people who are the generation that will change society,” he stated.

Official reports show there are over 184,000 persons with disabilities in Moldova. About 13,000 of these are children.