Homeless Herb Growers in Kecskemét

A few homelesses became herb growers, who aquired their knowledge in the context of a EU programme, sokszinuvidek.hu reports.

The organization in Kecskemét of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta opened the Komplex Homeless and Rehabilitation Center by Danish funds 3 years ago. There are homelesses, unemployed, Roma and many others here. The goal is in each case is to help them to live independently in the long run.

Éva Rigóné Kiss, head of the local Charity Service says that the recipients have to do the household chores like in the normal life. Gyógyít-lak is the name of the programme, which offers herb grower course for homeless people. In the end of the course, they have to do an exam. During the programme, they get housing benefit.

According to sokszinuvidek.hu, the homeless have a very hard time in the cases of family and work. The staff of the center want to make them believe that the are useful members of the society. 15 people got the herb grower certificate. Some of them also found partners, so they can close their past together.

Beáta Barkóczi, „spokeswoman” of the group also finished the course. She is showing the planted herbs. The woman lives in Matkópuszta. Previously, she worked at an office, but she lost her work. Now, she is working here.

Sándor Szépe is another trained gardener, who worked as a salesperson before he came here. He will be employed to September, but he hopes that he could stay and work here after that, too, sokszinuvidek.hu says.

The people have 5 hectares of land, beyond herbs they grow poppy seed and pumpkin. Éva Rigóné Kiss says that they want to create an exhibition garden and produce herbal teas. For these plans, they need money, so they will apply for more grant.

based on the article of sokszinuvidek.hu
translated by Becsi

Photo: Ujvári Sándor

Source: http://sokszinuvidek.hu/