Greece Archives | Christian Learning & News

A group of four young Greeks with autism opened their own business after employers refused to hire them due to their situation.

Employing differently-abled people

During recent years, some organizations started to incorporate vulnerable social groups as their employees. This era is better than the previous eras where differently-abled people had no chance of finding a job. However, due to the disproportionate jobs offered, these people still find it hard to get a job.

“They are mainly employed in family-friendly businesses,” a parent of one of the team said. “Only in recent years have some organizations have been created to incorporate vulnerable social groups. Even then, however, the jobs offered are disproportionate. New people with disabilities cannot find a place to work most of the time.”

Four young Greeks

Though life may be hard for the differently-abled ones, this group of young Greeks with autism changes the stigma about disabilities. When no one hired them to be employers, they created their own snack business. Thanks to the vocational training they received with the 3S School Synergy Snacks, they were able to attain the skills needed for starting this kind of business.

The four young people are Giannis Chatziargyriou, Eleni Albertou, Michalis Sideris and Giorgos Vradis. With the support of their parents and teachers, they were able to come up with a product that surely catches the taste buds of the market. Their products are cereal bars with sesame, almonds, peanuts, olives, and honey.

“In Greece today, doing business is hard anyway,” Gannis’ mother said. “But it is even more difficult for people with additional limitations and intellectual difficulties. The same goes for those who stand by them. The ones that operate as their voices.”

Happiness is doing business

These team now lives just as they desire despite having their disabilities and they are thankful for those who supported them.

“Although my life was difficult, I managed to achieve what my soul wanted. A baking – pastry degree that gave me some supplies and the privilege of continuing my career professionally. The difficulties we face with my team make us stronger and bring us closer to achieving our goals. We thank those who support us in this beginning,” Eleni Albertou said.

Reference: Flopmee