“Project Maria Rita to support caregivers” is a social project, the main goal of which being the coming together of both a solidary objective and an entrepreneurial drive.
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“Project Maria Rita to support caregivers” is a social project, the main goal of which being the coming together of both a solidary objective and an entrepreneurial drive.
Maria Santos, the project´s promoter, became aware, after her daughter Rita was born with several brain problems, of the difficulties involving the every-day care of someone who has these kinds of problems.
After 11 years of intensive battling, she finally reached the goal: she was able to build a house for her daughter, wholly adapted to her necessities.
However, Maria realized that we stand in the midst of a clear market failure: while there is a lot of concern for the person who actually has the problem (and rightfully so), there is no form of support or dedicated activities targeting those who take care of the disabled.
The house will serve that purpose. Besides helping Rita, the caregivers will also be attended to through some benefits. Parents whose children suffer from these types of problems are in a constant struggle everyday of their lives to provide them with the best possible care. That being said, they often find no time for themselves, that is, for their own happiness and well-being. The house will take some strain off their backs (and lives) by inviting them to enjoy workshops, cinema sessions and all kinds of fun activities. All of this with the hopes of motivating them for their daily battles, that surely look unfair in their eyes and in everyone´s.
About the author
My name is Maria Santos and I had an ordinary life until May, 2003. I was, by that time, pregnant of 8 months. However, in that month I had a terrible problem: a rare disease called Hellp Syndrome. As my health was very fragile, my daughter Rita was born without being able to see, speak or walk. We fought for our lives in intensive care and only after two months of battling was I able to see my daughter.
Rita was expected to live for a very short while. However, I made a committed decision: I decided to start life anew. Considering my daughter´s disease, and being alone with my two kids, I fought for new purposes and priorities. I saved some money to take my daughter to a clinic in Cuba for 6 months, with amazing results.
When I came back to Portugal, I decided to write a children’s book, on the subject of cerebral palsy. This was not easy but, after two years, I was able to edit my book called “Rita´s green dream” and it was a huge success. In fact, it sold through to the sixth edition. With the profits of this small project, I had the opportunity to buy a portion of land with a clear purpose: building a house for my little daughter Rita. In fact, we live in a T1 apartment, in the top floor.
After seven years of intensive battles, I was able to have all the funding necessary and to start construction on the house, thanks to all the solidary support I received.
However, I am not done. I want more, namely the ability to provide caregivers with some quality of life and well-being. With this project, I hope to create some good moments for the parents who are always with theirs kids and may, sometimes, forget to enjoy their lives.
