Café Vesmirna opens exhibition of photographs featuring people with mental disabilities

On Monday, Prague's cosy little Café Vesmirna, just off Wenceslas Square, opened an exhibition of photographs featuring people with disabilities. The exhibition was organised by the Mame Otevreno (Are We Open?) NGO, dedicated to the integration of people with mental disabilities into the work force and society in general. The exhibits on show are the work of photographer Petr Kralik, who was approached by Mame Otevreno to accompany its clients in their everyday lives. Dita Asiedu spoke to the organisation's fundraiser Helena Kalasova, who says it has come a long way since its foundation six years ago:

Café Vesmirna opens exhibition of photographs featuring people with mental disabilities

Café Vesmirna

"In 1998 there were only three employees and we had only one project for children. Now, we have around ten projects. So, I would say that's an improvement. We help the adults mainly here in this café; they work here as waiters. What is the most important thing is not only that they will work in restaurants but that they have a job. They have to come in the morning at a certain time, they must co-operate with their colleagues, they have to follow their bosses' orders and I think that these kinds of experiences are the most important for them. We usually give them their first work experience and then we help them find another job."

And do they get paid?

"Yes."

How do customers react when they see that someone with a mental disability is waiting on them?

"We have mostly positive reactions. Sometimes people are surprised because they do not know that this café is involved in this special project but it's usually a positive surprise and they are very patient with our clients. So I think it's really great. The biggest problem was that our café became very popular so we had to make changes so that our clients are able to work with so many customers."

Is there any other café apart from Café Vesmirna?

"Yes there are cafes with similar programmes but they have different clients. We are the only ones who work with people with mental disabilities. The main goal is the integration. We want to create many opportunities for people with mental disabilities to meet the public. We also have projects for children and the youth that are mainly projects based on integration using leisure activities. We train assistants and volunteers without disabilities so that they can help children and the youth take part in special leisure activities such as scouting, etc."

How is all of this financed?

"Usually it is financed with money from the state; some seventy percent of our budget. The rest comes from firms and individual donations."

And those of you interested in visiting Café Vesmirna will find it at 5,Ve Smeckach street. Its staff has been specially trained to serve foreigners too!