Annual report 2013-2014 by L'Arche Internationale

a n nu a l r e port

PEOPLE PROGRAMMES GROWTH 2013 2 014

2013

Others

219 Europe 249 Asia 306

L’Arche is changing the way people in diverse cultures think about and relate to disability. Everything L’Arche does at the local, national and international levels is an expression of our dream for a world where everyone has a true place of belonging. We are passionate about our mission to create communities and networks of care and friendship with and for people who have an intellectual disability.

384 Africa

Sub Sahara

Our core funding priorities are

365

Latin America & Caribbean

Middle East

2013 SOLIDARITY FUNDS DISTRIBUTED BY COUNTRY (IN THOUSANDS €) - Destination of solidarity funds is usually specified by donors. L’Arche International is managing their distribution at no charge - Detailed financial accounts are available on L’Arche International website

was an incredibly significant year for L’Arche around the world. We created a new four-year road map for increasing our mission impact and we expanded the international leadership team to help implement our plan and to better meet the needs of L’Arche around the world. L’Arche is poised to grow in ways that we could not have imagined in the past.

PEOPLE PROGRAMMES GROWTH MESSAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL STEWARDSHIP BOARD The International Stewardship Board is part of the governance structure of L’Arche International. We work in partnership with the Leaders Patrick and Eileen. We meet at least twice a year to ensure that the Leaders are on course in the work of the Mandate, that there are sufficient funds available to them to achieve these aims and that all is planned and carried out in a legal manner. The past two years have been successful and fruitful in this collaboration. Of course, in times of recession our work is more difficult due to greater budgetary constraints but I am pleased to say that although there are areas of fragility and vulnerability we have managed to keep within budget, and the finances are stable. Nonetheless, the requirement for extra funds is constant as the demands for the provision of more resources in areas of need increase. All of the Board members enjoy this challenging work and hope that together with the Leaders and the Leadership Team the life of L’Arche Communities world wide can be seen as a sign of hope in this troubled world.

ALISON LINDSAY

Alison Lindsay Chair of the International Stewardship Board

People: Over the past year we have continued to provide direct funding for People who live in local L’Arche communities in emerging countries where there is no government funding and little external philanthropic support. In addition we have also provided leadership training and direct supervision for these same L’Arche communities. This human and financial aid is one expression of our core value: ‘solidarity’ i.e standing side by side to live out the mission of L’Arche and build relationships of friendship and support across national boundaries that so often separate people. Programmes: We also invested in a number of Programmes designed to preserve the unity of L’Arche, to facilitate the sharing of resources, and to support a deeper understanding of how to live out our mission in new and creative ways. We strengthened our human resources capacity, launched the “L’Arche and Islam” reflection group and began several new leadership development training programmes. We launched a special training programme for 20 people based on how to respectfully and creatively found L’Arche in new cultures. We increased our investment in the Jean Vanier Association which was set up to protect and extend Jean Vanier’s literary, intellectual and spiritual legacy. Growth: Our third area of investment is Growth. We have a bold plan to expand L’Arche in a number of places in the world where there is currently only one local L’Arche community. Our dream is that in the future L’Arche will always exist in pods of two or three communities in the same country; this would provide organisational strength and stability, which is often lacking when communities are located far away from the rest of L’Arche. Growth will enable us to reach out and welcome more people with intellectual disabilities. We are committed to the proactive launching of new L’Arche communities. In Latin America twelve seed groups have received training on how to found a new L’Arche community. In the time to come we will highlight the creative ways that L’Arche is growing in “new” places such as Croatia, Lithuania, and Sardinia, as well as in “older” countries such as France and the United Kingdom.

PATRICK FONTAINE

EDITORIAL

L’Arche is a vision of a kinder, gentler, more inclusive world where each person can contribute and where each contribution is valued. We believe in the power of community and we believe that those who are often seen as being the weakest are in fact our pillars. Thank you for holding the people and mission of L’Arche in your hearts and prayers. EILEEN GLASS

Patrick Fontaine International Leader of L’Arche International

Eileen Glass Vice-International Leader of L’Arche International

01 Annual Report 2013/2014

HIST

IN THE BEGINNING, ONE MAN’S VISION At the age of 13, Jean Vanier, the son of the Canadian Governor General, crossed the Atlantic and joined the British navy. At 18, he was deeply affected by the sight of Holocaust survivors arriving in Paris. At 22, he left the navy to seek his own path... His quest took him to Fatima, Assekrem in Morocco, an international theological centre in Paris and the University of Toronto.

A decision, which became a turning point in 1964 At the age of 36, Jean Vanier visited the psychiatric hospital where his spiritual father, Father Thomas, was chaplain. “I began to visit asylums […]. I discovered a vast world of which I had previously been ignorant. I had lived in a world of efficiency in the navy, and of intellectualism during my studies. Now I was confronted by the world of suffering and I was deeply moved.” writes Jean Vanier. He bought a small house in Trosly-Breuil, north of Paris, and embarked on the adventure of sharing his daily life with Raphael Simi and Philippe Seux, two people with intellectual disabilities They called their house L’Arche

JEAN VANIER WITH MOTHER TERESA

A world-wide ripple effect The shared life and the bonds of friendship woven between these three men drew in neighbours and friends. Other houses opened in Trosly. Students of Jean Vanier who came to visit L’Arche were, in turn, deeply moved by the experience. In 1969, the Newroths took L’Arche to Canada. L’Arche progressed from its Catholic context to an ecumenical one. In 1970, Mira (who was Indian) and Gabrielle (who was German), founded L’Arche in Bangalore. There, L’Arche drew together Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Thanks to Jean Vanier’s lectures, this inspiring initiative continued to spread: to the United States, the Ivory Coast, Haiti, Australia... By 1985, L’Arche was present on five continents.

Bringing down the walls L’Arche’s influence is indisputable and is present in very diverse social, cultural and religious contexts. The impact of L’Arche can be attributed to its founding principle; that of people with and without intellectual disabilities building mutually supportive bonds and sharing daily life together. It’s that simple! However, it brings down the walls that separate caregivers from the people they care for, the so-called “strong” from the “weak”.

RIPPLES AROUND THE WORLD 1964 7 0 FRANCE / CANADA / INDIA 1971 80 USA / BELGIUM / GREAT BRITAIN /

IVORY COAST / HAITI / BURKINA FASO / HONDURAS / IRELAND / AUSTRALIA

1981 90

SPAIN / ITALY / GERMANY / SWITZERLAND / THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC / PALESTINE / POLAND / BRAZIL / THE PHILIPPINES / MEXICO / UGANDA

1991 2000

JAPAN / SYRIA / THE NETHERLANDS / ZIMBABWE / SLOVENIA / NEW ZEALAND

2001 11

ARGENTINA / EGYPT / AUSTRIA / BANGLADESH / UKRAINE / KENYA / LITHUANIA 02 Annual Report 2013/2014

D JUB LEE JUBILEE In August L’Arche will be 50 years old – a Golden Jubilee! Much is happening across the Federation: • • •

The Jubilee Prayer and themes are being widely used. Musicians have composed Jubilee songs. In September a Virtual Art Gallery showcasing artists with learning disabilities from all our communities will be available and promises to be a stunning exhibition.

Each country is finding its own way to celebrate: • • • • •

2,500 people from France celebrated with an explosion of music, creativity and sheer joy, giving thanks for the past and looking ahead to the future. India held a cultural programme, which the State Governor attended. Australia will host a symposium. Canada is advertising the gift of mutual relationships. Trosly-Breuil is inviting a pair from the founding community in every country...

L’ARCHE FRANCE’S JUBILEE CELEBRATION IN PARAY-LE-MONIAL

At L’Arche our celebrations show the value of each person and the beauty of a life shared

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BLOWING BUBBLES DURING L’ARCHE FRANCE’S JUBILEE CELEBRATION

THE L’ARCHE INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION The Foundation is the fundraising arm of L’Arche International; it exists to help build a healthy financial “ecosystem” to support the mission of L’Arche around the world. It is a part of the global cycle of giving and receiving that is at the heart of L’Arche. The financial need is enormous. Many of our L’Arche communities do not receive any form of government funding. Most of the others are only partially funded by their governments. Approximately 75% of the budget of L’Arche International is dedicated to the people, programmes and growth of L’Arche in the “Global South.” In addition to direct fundraising, the Foundation also assists L’Arche at a national level to increase fundraising capacity through coaching and training. There is nothing more important for the future of L’Arche than building a stronger base of financial supporters. We ask you to join us in this process. L’Arche is a beacon for the world, shining a light on the beauty, the value and the dignity of each and every human being. L’Arche needs the gifts, the talents and the personal and financial commitment of many, many people in order to keep this light shining brightly. Only then can we be faithful to our mission of building and sustaining communities of care and friendship with and for people with intellectual disabilities. Thank you for standing with the people of L’Arche and for doing all you can to help.

L'Arche around the W rld © Élodie Perriot

Annual Report 2013/2014

USA

361

Administration

Communities

884 Growth

PARTNERSHIPS MADE OF HONEY

475

“People with many different needs keep knocking on our door”, says Stacy Cates-Carney, community leader of L’Arche Tacoma, U.S. ”Last year, over 2,000 volunteers came to our farm to get dirty and engage in the mission of L’Arche. These volunteers learn about farming and the value of mutual relationships from men and women with an intellectual disability. In addition, L’Honey uses our land for their beehives – over 500 pounds were harvested last year – and all the fruit from an orchard created in partnership with a local food bank goes to those in need. The way forward is partnerships! We all benefit from sharing our gifts.”

1766 People

Programmes

L’ARCHE INTERNATIONAL 2013 SPENDING BY PURPOSE (IN THOUSANDS €) * People: specific support to the communities Growth: development of Arche in the world Programmes: actions to insure cohesion and coherence worldwide Administration: cost of administration department

144 Miscellaneous 119 Invoiced Services

Community

127

Other Donations

UKRAINE

Fundraising USA

171

CORE-MEMBERS OPEN TO DIFFERENCES

“L’Arche is not an island. The crisis that our country is going through affects us deeply” says Oksana, community leader of the four workshops of L’Arche Lviv, in western Ukraine. “East and West Ukraine must get to know each other better and build up real, mutual trust. L’Arche is playing its part: recently, we welcomed 30 young people from the East. They didn’t quite know what to expect, but they left with renewed trust, openness and hope. It always amazes me how, in spite of their differences, people with a disability can open people’s hearts. In Ukraine, we too have our differences, but community has shown us that together we can create unity.”

Fundraising Canada

457

367

Membership Fees

Fundraising Other sources

191 Fundraising Uk

342

1510

Fundraising Arche Internationale

Fundraising France

L’ARCHE INTERNATIONAL 2013 INCOME (IN THOUSANDS €)

1 1

Community

SYRIA A COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE TO ITS NEIGHBOURS

SELFIE FROM L’ARCHE AL SAFINA IN SYRIA

Today, normal life in L’Arche Al Safina, Damascus, is not what it once was. But fragile as they might look, no missile or bullet has been able to shake their peaceful loyalty, especially towards the weakest. Quite the opposite: rising to the challenge, the community collaborates with Caritas-Syria to distribute vital supplies to more than 100 local families. And day in and day out, the workshop continues, in the words of Rima, an assistant: “to be a living sign in our neighborhood that a better life is possible... one can still create beauty in a time of war.” 05 Annual Report 2013/2014

UK (10) Ireland and Northern Ireland (4)

Canada (29)

Netherlands (1) Germany (3) Belgium (6)

France (31) Switzerland (3)

Italy (2)

USA (18) Spain (2)

Egypt Haiti (2)

Mexico (2)

Dominican Republic (1) Honduras (2)

Burkina Faso (1) Ivory Coast (1)

Uganda

Brazil (1)

Zimbabwe Argentina (1)

L'Ar

INTER ÂŠ Catherine Brimacombe

06 Annual Report 2013/2014

Countries with 10 communities and more

Some figures in 2013:

Countries with 3-10 communities Lithuania (1)

Countries with 1 or 2 communities

Poland (3) Ukraine (1)

478

Note : The number of communities is indicated in parentheses.

homes

Austria (1) Slovenia (1)

Syria (1) Japan (1)

countries, in 5 continents

8396

(1)

India (5)

members

Bangladesh (1)

of which

Philippines (1)

3879 are people with disabilities

Kenya (1) (1)

169 workshops

(1)

Australia (5)

che © Élodie Perriot

New Zealand (1)

NATI nal 07 Annual Report 2013/2014

PE PL 2

THE ALIZÉ WORKSHOP AT L’ARCHE MONTREAL

Communities

A BLOG WRITTEN BY MARTIN, A VOLUNTEER IN HONDURAS

Honduras Pacific ocean

Martin is a volunteer at L’Arche Choluteca. An expert blogger, his posts have received more than 30,000 visits. He talks about the building work being carried out to extend the workshop.“We’ve started making our hammocks again. Three days of stretching strings, turning cranks and weaving the thick ropes... it goes on forever and wears you out! But the real joy is being with these 12 workers with disabilities who give 100% of themselves because they’ve got work that they can be proud of. And I’m proud to be living with them and know that they see me as their friend.” Martin goes on to explain how the workers from L’Arche sell vegetable fibre sponges, floor cloths, hammocks, chopping boards, garden vegetables, etc. at the market. He has also taken part in the radio program presented by the community every Sunday on Radio Paz 95.5 AM/990 FM between 10:30 and 11:00 am. An experience that is impacting the airwaves and the net!

Community

ZIMBABWE ALICE, OR THE ART OF LOCAL/INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING “2015 cannot come soon enough,” enthuses Alice Chatindo, International Envoy for Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya. “The big project is our new school, helping us meet vital local needs: for 100 local people with an intellectual disability, the chance to follow an academic course in their own time; for many parents, training in caring for their disabled child: for some local unemployed young people, landing their first job as cleaners; and that is just the start. Thanks to our partnership with the City Council who gave us the land, so many people will find their dreams becoming a reality.” For L’Arche Harare, working in a spirit of partnership is nothing new: their two way solidarity relationship with L’Arche Tecklenburg, in Germany, has proved invaluable, while necklaces and batik from their workshop are regularly sold in L’Arche Belgium and France as well. “L’Arche Harare is all about making connections,”says Alice. “People grow, and so does the community!” WORKSHOP AT L’ARCHE KENYA

08 Annual Report 2013/2014

3 1

Communities Project

POLAND BASIA, BRINGING ENERGY TO THE TEAM “We couldn’t survive without her,” confirms Kasia Szubielska, L’Arche Poznan community leader referring to Basia Mosiezna, the part-time nurse employed with funds from L’Arche International. “Professionally, she has made a big difference. Paying special attention to medical needs has characterised L’Arche Poznan from the beginning: we have often welcomed disabled people in fragile health. And those needs are obviously increasing: last year, we calculated that the community lived through no less than 265 ‘significant events’ requiring medical attention. This is huge. So Basia’s professional competence reassures us all.” Not least Robert [a core member]: “even if I call her four times a day about a little problem, she is unfailingly patient.” Basia Mosiezna works closely with Kasia Wielgosz, the community’s full time medical support assistant. Together, they train the assistant teams. “Today,” says Kasia, “our teams are more competent, more aware of hygiene issues, and much more confident.”

Community

IVORY COAST KOFFI, AN ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADER, REOPENS THE BOUAKÉ FARM Koffi Gnagoran, new community leader for L’Arche Bouaké has inherited a complex situation. Ever since the military-political crisis of 2002-2007, the farm has remained closed. This has been a tragedy for the community whose henhouses used to guarantee 30% of their operating budget and give their disabled workers (such as Michel, nicknamed ‘Doctor Chicken’by the neighborhood) a sense of pride. While L’Arche International has helped to cover the operational shortfall in recent years, it has been Koffi’s job to find the funds needed to reopen the five henhouses. The answer has come from AIESEC, an online platform for Bouaké students. With 663€, they have bought 250 chicks and started the reopening process. With the profits Koffi will be able to relaunch the rest of the henhouses. On the farm, life is getting back to normal: Bienvenue arranges black plastic carrier bags to protect the chicks from the cold. Djo prepares the equipment It’s not me who is used to rear the chicks. Jean Claude is learning how to vaccinate. And ‘Doctor Chicken’ takes upside down, it’s care of the cleaning. A win/win/win operation!

the world that’s too straight

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31 3

Communities

Projects

Community

FRANCE - BANGLADESH THE “INVISIBLE BRIDGE” LINKING AMBLETEUSE IN FRANCE WITH MYMENSINGH IN BANGLADESH “For several years, the comings and goings between Les Trois Fontaines and L’Arche Mymensingh have formed an invisible bridge of friendship and peace between Europe and Bangladesh, between Christians and Muslims, between people who are different from each other. Let’s strengthen the bridge, and God will use it as he sees fit.” This is what drives this twinning. Marie-José, whose home is now Les Trois Fontaines, crossed the bridge in 2013, enriched by the experience of having shared her story with Srity. “Srity’s life has changed,” Naomi, Mymensingh community leader, told people later during a stay in France. “She’s found someone who understands her pain, her joy and her hope. The e-mail she received from Marie-José made her feel valued. Their friendship has helped her discover herself. God and Allah are happy!”Isabelle is now preparing for her turn to visit: “When we went through some difficult years in Ambleteuse, they were thinking of us despite their own precarious situation... I’m going to maintain the link.”

CELEBRATION AT L’ARCHE INDIA

PR G

COOKING DINNER AT L’ARCHE MONTREAL

Communities

IRELAND northern Ireland

atlantic ocean

celtic sea

10 Annual Report 2013/2014

ROOT SOUP: WORK AND SHARING FOR THE DIGNITY OF ALL

“Root Soup catches the people who fall through the cracks.” Scott Shively, L’Arche Belfast community leader continues: “when we started making organic Ireland soups and breads two years ago, no-one ever imagined Ireland that it would grow in the way it has. Today, we are sea operating 5-6 days a week, up from 1 day originally. People feel comfortable at Root Soup, because we are not a traditional service: I mean homeless people, ex-offenders, a man with brain injury, people who have been long-term unemployed, and a range of volunteers. Whoever they are, they are guaranteed exactly the same welcome and acceptance by Jillian, Tracy and Noreen, who have a learning disability.” Clearly, there is more to Root Soup than great soup: “it is all about building a society of shared dignity,” says Scott. A message Belfast’s Lord Mayor wants to echo, he recently invited the Root Soup team to cater at a festival for 100 people!

L’ARCHE AND CULTURE

IT IS OUR AMBITION TO TRAIN LEADERS IN THE PRACTICE OF INCULTURATION The Culture and Faith formation has begun in Trosly-Breuil, France: 16 L’Arche leaders from 11 different nationalities embarked on a two-year journey designed to help them understand the importance of inculturation. The first lectures by Gerald Arbuckle, a philosopher and anthropologist from New Zealand, have already given rise to the following response: “What is the purpose of a culture and what does it feed on? To what extent should we put down roots, whilst also remaining open to others? What is L’Arche’s culture? Who shapes it? And what happens when cultures are in opposition? How can we combine mission and management without destroying culture?” The next session will take place in Zimbabwe. Alice Chatindo, International Envoy, will share her cultural reality with the group. Brenda Hermann, an American social systems consultant, will lead the work on the case studies submitted by each participant. The aim is to enable each person to implement a more vibrant and fitting approach to the inculturation of L’Arche in the situations they are familiar with.

RAMMES SOCIAL VALUE REFLECTING ON OUR SOCIAL VALUE WITH CORE-MEMBERS What is the point of L’Arche? Elena Lasida, an economist and sociologist from Uruguay, addressed a session for assistants, administrators and core members from France. According to her, the special role of vulnerability and its day-to-day consequences is to overturn our notions of what is and is not useful. The way in which she worded our “community power logic” definitely struck a chord with the core members: “I can be in charge too;” “I always show new leaders around. I tell them things they need to know;” “With the assistants, we think in pairs. We find the courage to speak; I choose to give my heart and soul.” Elena then compiled a text based on everybody’s reflections during the session to be used as a basis for further exchanges. The challenge we are facing is how to measure the impact that our life is having on our societies, with a view to remaining faithful to our identity and mission. We are: a place where mutual relationships have a transforming effect on us and serve as a sign to the world.

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Community L’ARCHE KENYA

KENYA LATIN AMERICA

BUILDING A HOME FOR OVERNIGHT GUESTS Despite the warm welcome extended to Michael, an ex-offender, by L’Arche Nyahururu, in Kenya, he felt too ashamed to leave his room. However, Jane, a member of the community with an intellectual disability had other ideas. Maurice Muthiga, community leader recalls: “Jane wouldn’t let us start the meal without him! When we started singing, Jane went to Michael’s room and led him to the table. Then at the end of the meal, she led him back to his room. Jane gave Michael the confidence he needed.” Welcoming others is truly at the heart of the community’s life. “Being located beside the road to Nairobi,” continues Maurice, “means that parents taking their disabled children to hospital there often ask us for lodging. So we are building a guest house, Maranatha, with eight rooms for families to stay in. Jane and other members of the community will welcome guests and settle them in. What better way for parents to discover new hope for their own children?”

ESTABLISHING AND REBUILDING COMMUNITIES “Moving the community is going to be a huge challenge,” explains Gerardo Reyes-Aldosoro, L’Arche Mexico Board member, “but I came back from the Cuba formation on pre-foundations full of ideas on how to go forward. The problem is that over the 30 years since we were founded, this area has become too dangerous; moving is really the only option. We can support more people with a disability in a safer, more stable environment. Two things stand out for me from the formation: first, the well-prepared presentations by Patrick, Zoel and Maria Elvira among others. It is true that they had a lot of know-how to share because they know L’Arche so well; but their trust in us was just as vital as their knowledge. Secondly, there was a good mix of people from Latin America, all hoping to found or re-found their community. Though far apart, we are in it together: that’s what solidarity is about isn’t it?”

GR 12 Annual Report 2013/2014

1 1

Community Project

LITHUANIA L’ARCHE INSPIRED THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS “Just imagine,” says Rimas Ramonas, L’Arche Betzata (Vilnius) community leader, “it’s not every day that the Charter of L’Arche inspires government policy! But today, in Lithuania, our Minister for Social Affairs sees L’Arche as the way forward for men and women with a disability, and is writing our Charter values into his policy! This shows that even a small L’Arche community can make a big impact. L’Arche is catching on in Lithuania, with a new project in Kaunas. In Vilnius, our new house will open in 2015. The fact that the house is open to visitors helps people understand that L’Arche is more than just a great initiative. Gulf Eight men and women with disabilities will make their home there, of Riga regularly welcoming two other members for respite care. The European baltic Structural Fund is financing the project. We are also very grateful for sea the regular solidarity support we receive from our friends in L’Arche Lithuania Im Nauen, in Switzerland.”

Communities

CHINA - CANADA TRANSMITTING OUR KNOW-HOW TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS

China’s dramatic progress on the world stage is surely one of the great revelations of our times: a beautiful country of a billion human hearts! With enormous possibilities, not just economically, but creatively, culturally, spiritually and humanly. However, the question remains: “How to unlock this potential?” For over 20 years, the Hui Ling organisation, primarily based in Beijing and now present in 13 major Chinese cities, has acted out of the conviction that one of the keys lies with men and women with an intellectual disability. And, over the past two years, Hui Ling and L’Arche have been in dialogue to established a partnership where we can share our capacities and gifts. An agreement will be signed inviting L’Arche to support Hui Ling’s training through workshops and exchange visits: to L’Arche Vancouver for instance. Both sides are sure to learn a lot!

A community is built on the loving bonds between its members

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L'Arche Inte r n at ion a l 25 Rosenwald Street | 75015 Paris France Tel. : +33 (0)1 53 68 08 00 | Fax. : +33 (0)1 53 68 08 04 Email : international@larche.org www.larche.org

Identity Statement We are people with and without intellectual disabilities1, sharing life in communities belonging to an International Federation. Mutual relationships and trust in God are at the heart of our journey together. We celebrate the unique value of every person and recognise our need of one another.

Our m iss ion is to... Make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities1, revealed through mutually transforming relationships. Foster an environment in community that responds to the changing needs of our members, whilst being faithful to the core values of our founding story. Graphic design : Isabelle Pepin

Engage in our diverse cultures, working together toward a more human society. 1

We invite you to substitute the terms with those that are accepted in your country