The Italian phrase ‘Lanostra famiglia’ means ‘our family’. In this name there is a centre at Treviso, a small town in the north-east of Italy. They trained differently abled children and adults. Each student of this institute had a unique mental status and which demanded one-to-one training. Students were accommodated in this institute from the nearby villages. They kept an informal and familial environment which contributed to the formation and training of the students.
However, I felt that its name was further suitable when I have visited a nearby restaurant. I was welcomed by a few students of this institute. Actually, four autistic students have received a placement as the front office staff of this restaurant. Usually, autistic people are strong in their emotional side and these front office staff were so warm to welcome their guests.
This warmth attracted the people around and which turned this place as a first choice for the people to gather together whenever there is something special celebrations in their families, like birthday, marriage, first holy communion etc. There was a biofarm around this restaurant and people volunteered to work in the garden and to distribute the products of the same. In that way, slowly this restaurant of warmth, recognition and compassion turned it into a bigger home of the people around.
Home is more than a space. It’s an experience of mixed emotions. Various shades of love usually create a home. Ingredients of a home can be a long list like warmth, understanding, listening, acceptance, care, concern, sharing, affection, service, fun, joy, tears, laughter, celebration etc. People would love to be there where their minds would feel as homely. None would prefer to leave a place where they find their home.