Dec 15th was the grand opening of our new social enterprise employing several very capable beneficiaries with vision impairments who were trained in massage therapies. "San Tao Centrul de Terapie Manuală" is the result of a project funded by the East European Fund, organized and led by my business partner Asociatia Femeilor de Afaceri. It was achieved through the hard work of our beneficiaries with significant contributions by numerous NGOs and municipal agencies in the northern region of Moldova. Now it's in business! Of course, we have a Facebook page - San Tao.
Our director Tatiana provided an introduction to the project, explained the selection of the beneficiaries who participated, and thanked the community partners who helped to realize the project goals.
Our graduates of the pilot group included five vision-impaired students. These beneficiaries possess varying degrees of visual impairment. However, they are able to function in society and were eager to learn a trade in order to be able to live more independently. Indeed, they wanted to contribute financially to their family's well-being. This AFA program gave them that opportunity. We at AFA couldn't be more proud of their determination and hard work!
The group portrait below includes Vlad, Victoria, Andrei, Olga, Alina, Vadim, and three community leaders from the Balti municipality who collaborated with AFA on the project.
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Andrei and Vlad in the photos are demonstrating their massage skills on a couple of willing clients as onlookers observe. Thai massage requires the patient to lie on the floor while the therapist works the entire body, periodically lifting, turning, twisting, and flexing different body parts. This technique loosens and stretches the muscles along specific meridians of the body. Circulation is enhanced thus increasing energy flow.
Vlad is giving a customer a chair massage. This type of massage is one that is popular because it can be given onsite at a work location. The unique types of massages offered are Thai massage which is one that requires two-hours of manipulation. It is very physical in that the therapist has to be strong, lifting the patient around, turning the body in various directions, and twisting the torso. Free massages were offered to all of the guests who came to the grand opening. Needless to say, the therapists were very busy!
Olga to the right is telling the audience a little about her background. She expresses gratitude for the chance to learn a serious vocation, and show the public what she's capable of despite her vision limitations.
Other massage services offered by San Tao include foot reflexology, anti-cellulite procedures, four-handed massage (two therapists working on a client simultaneously), and facial massages. Business will take time to grow but all those associated with the project are very optimistic that the Center will be a going concern within the next year. The space where San Tao is located is being subsidized through contributions from the municipal agencies who are partnering with AFA.
As with any launch of a program, business, or organization in Moldova, there is a masa (a big feast). The place was brimming with food (placinta, cookies, candies, fruits, cakes) along with several varieties of tea and coffee. Unfortunately, we couldn't get refreshments that were particularly "Asian" (I was not prepared to attempt making dim sum or sushi!).
The translation for the sign to the left:
This project is open within the project "Social / vocational integration of persons with vision disabilities from the municipality Balti and the northern region of Moldova", implemented by the Association of Business Women of municipality Balti, with support of the East European Foundation, from resources provided by the Swedish Government via the Swedish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (SIDA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
It was a real privilege to help these vision-impaired people who I fully believe will shine in their new vocations, and will be better integrated into Moldovan society.
Our director Tatiana provided an introduction to the project, explained the selection of the beneficiaries who participated, and thanked the community partners who helped to realize the project goals.Our graduates of the pilot group included five vision-impaired students. These beneficiaries possess varying degrees of visual impairment. However, they are able to function in society and were eager to learn a trade in order to be able to live more independently. Indeed, they wanted to contribute financially to their family's well-being. This AFA program gave them that opportunity. We at AFA couldn't be more proud of their determination and hard work!
The group portrait below includes Vlad, Victoria, Andrei, Olga, Alina, Vadim, and three community leaders from the Balti municipality who collaborated with AFA on the project.
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| Andrei performing Thai massage |
Andrei and Vlad in the photos are demonstrating their massage skills on a couple of willing clients as onlookers observe. Thai massage requires the patient to lie on the floor while the therapist works the entire body, periodically lifting, turning, twisting, and flexing different body parts. This technique loosens and stretches the muscles along specific meridians of the body. Circulation is enhanced thus increasing energy flow.
Vlad is giving a customer a chair massage. This type of massage is one that is popular because it can be given onsite at a work location. The unique types of massages offered are Thai massage which is one that requires two-hours of manipulation. It is very physical in that the therapist has to be strong, lifting the patient around, turning the body in various directions, and twisting the torso. Free massages were offered to all of the guests who came to the grand opening. Needless to say, the therapists were very busy!
Olga to the right is telling the audience a little about her background. She expresses gratitude for the chance to learn a serious vocation, and show the public what she's capable of despite her vision limitations.
Other massage services offered by San Tao include foot reflexology, anti-cellulite procedures, four-handed massage (two therapists working on a client simultaneously), and facial massages. Business will take time to grow but all those associated with the project are very optimistic that the Center will be a going concern within the next year. The space where San Tao is located is being subsidized through contributions from the municipal agencies who are partnering with AFA. |
| Laying out the goodies |
As with any launch of a program, business, or organization in Moldova, there is a masa (a big feast). The place was brimming with food (placinta, cookies, candies, fruits, cakes) along with several varieties of tea and coffee. Unfortunately, we couldn't get refreshments that were particularly "Asian" (I was not prepared to attempt making dim sum or sushi!).
The above description of the project states the facts but here's my personal reflection on it. This project resonated with me personally because in years past, I had had massage training myself and been certified as a massage therapist in CA. While I never went into the actual practice of massage therapy, I certainly learned a great deal about its practice, techniques, benefits, what not to do, etc. Thus, I was pleased to be able to offer concrete ideas, suggestions, and guidance to the therapists and on the establishment of the Center. I've also been the recipient of massages from several blind people, and Thai massages in Thailand. Indeed, I thought I was the perfect consultant for this very project!
The translation for the sign to the left:
This project is open within the project "Social / vocational integration of persons with vision disabilities from the municipality Balti and the northern region of Moldova", implemented by the Association of Business Women of municipality Balti, with support of the East European Foundation, from resources provided by the Swedish Government via the Swedish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (SIDA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
It was a real privilege to help these vision-impaired people who I fully believe will shine in their new vocations, and will be better integrated into Moldovan society.
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