Today we report from the Lyso Garden 🌱: This project trains young people with disabilities to become gardeners in organic agriculture. In the herb garden at the MANI Bläuel site*, the young people produce regional herbs such as sage and oregano. Recently, the first Lyso products became available for purchase in our webshop, and the proceeds naturally go to support the project!
A tremendous success for everyone involved and a great joy for us at MANI Bläuel to see the fruits of their labor. On this occasion, we asked Eva Lang and Waltraud Sperlich, the two founders of the project, for an interview:
Interview with Waltraud Sperlich and Eva Lang
Dear Waltraud, dear Eva, what was the personal reason for starting the project in 2016?
Waltraud and Eva: An unexpected financial windfall. The foundation of a Greek shipowner in Liechtenstein took notice of us because we kept a special needs school in Kalamata, which was about to close due to the financial crisis in Greece, alive and running. The directive from Liechtenstein was clear: do something good for disadvantaged young people in the region. For me, Eva, it was quickly clear: if we want to support young people, it must be those on the fringes of society—the 'disabled.' My son, due to oxygen deprivation at birth, lives with cognitive challenges but is optimally supported in an anthroposophical community in Germany. I was aware that there was no comparable support for young adults in Greece after completing compulsory schooling, so I wanted to focus exactly there.
The project has now been running for 7 years. What is your assessment today?
Waltraud and Eva: If we had known... We thought our teaching nursery for young people with disabilities would make such an impression on responsible politicians that they would immediately and unconditionally support us. But because we were doing something entirely new, it became very difficult. Bureaucrats everywhere don’t like dealing with the unknown. There are no guidelines, so it seems the best solution is to simply wait it out. But we can be patient too. With our southern German stubbornness, or better yet, our down-to-earth persistence, no one expected us to stick around. Gradually, we made progress, won concessions, and got through the pandemic well. In the spirit of General Lyso, the fight continues, as we believe financial support from the state or the EU is long overdue. Aside from that, we are steadily realizing our plans with the help of our highly motivated team.
What are your future plans for the project?
Waltraud and Eva: To provide training and employment for all the young people on our waiting list. It doesn’t have to be just in horticulture. There are so many fields where people with special needs could be employed—first and foremost in service, particularly in hospitality. In the long term, it would also be highly desirable to have a house where our protégés could live if needed.
The Bläuel family and the entire MANI team congratulate you and your team with all our hearts ❤️:
Best of luck to dear Waltraud, Eva, Giorgos, Sandy, Takis, Maria, Giorgina, Lakis, and Vaso!
*The land and infrastructure for the Lyso project are provided by MANI Bläuel and were financed through the Olivenbäumchen crowdfunding project.
