On World Autism Awareness Day, Sigma’s cameras and the show “Mesimeri kai Kati” visited True Heart Café, a unique space promoting social inclusion.
Helen Pontikis, president of Voice of Autism, described the café initiative as the first social enterprise of its kind in Cyprus. She emphasised, “Social inclusion drives us; this is the first social enterprise in Cyprus,” adding that five individuals with autism are shareholders in the venture, a truly pioneering move for the country. Pontikis expressed pride in the preparation, noting, “I am very proud of the people who were fully ready for the day.”
Employees share their experiences
Konstantinos, one of the café’s employees, described his experience working as a waiter, enjoying the job and spending his time creatively.
The team also highlighted the importance of training. “We had a two-month training programme teaching how to interact with customers and prepare the café,” they said. “We did role-playing exercises and learned about maintaining cleanliness. After two months, they are fully ready, and it’s incredible how quickly they learn.”
Positive public response
The public reaction has been immediate, with many visitors coming from the first day to see the café and meet the employees.
Additionally, the rest of the staff received training to understand the employee’s unique needs, ensuring they know how to communicate effectively and manage challenging situations. The organisers noted that “a very good relationship has developed between them, and everything is going smoothly.”
Also read: Food Connect Cyprus launched as first food donation platform
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