Disabled children and young persons present photo exhibition on their day

Eight children and young persons with disabilities, who have been deinstitutionalized from the boarding school for children with mental disabilities in Orhei and integrated into their families, staged an exhibition of photographs themed “The Wold My Way” on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Info-Prim Neo reports. The aim of the event is to promote the positive image of the persons with disabilities by showing their abilities. “Our mission, of the whole society, is to change people's attitude towards these persons by helping them know their rights. The photographs present different aspects of the life of the disabled persons, their family, their friends, their school and schoolmates, their animals. Together we must improve their life so that they are happier and have hope,” Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga said at the opening of the exhibition. The exhibition was organized by the Inclusive Community – Moldova Project implemented by Keystone Human Services International Moldova in partnership with the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family and Soros Moldova Foundation, with support from the Open Society Mental Health Initiative. It aims to reform the social protection and care system for persons with disabilities and integrate them into the society. Thirty-eight disabled children and young persons benefited from assistance as part of the project so far. Seventeen of them lived in the boarding school for children with mental disabilities in Orhei and were reintegrated into their families. In 21 of the cases, the abandonment of the children and young persons in institutions was prevented.