가톨릭에서 운영하는 그라나다 카페가 이곳에서 일하는 지적장애인들에게 자신감을 찾아주고 있다.
카페 직원 최승미(마르시아)는 다른 사람이 하는 것을 자신도 할 수 있다는 자신감에 차 있다.
최승미(34)는 “여기서 2년 반 동안 커피를 만들면서 자신감을 갖게 됐다. 기꺼이 도와준 이은명 수사가 정말 고맙다”고 했다.
“처음에는 카푸치노와 카페라떼가 늘 헛갈렸다. 손님들이 아이스커피를 주문했는데 뜨거운 커피를 뽑는 일도 여러 번 있었다.”
그녀는 이제 바리스타를 꿈꾼다.
김남덕은 “카운터 일도 보고 웨이터 일도 하는데, 아직 계산이 느려서 손님들을 기다리게 한다. 그래도 아무 불평 없이 기다려주는 손님들이 정말 고맙다”고 말했다.
카페 매니저인 유점화는 자기가 아는 한 그라나다 카페가 가톨릭에서 장애인 복지를 위해 운영하는 최초의 커피점이라고 했다.
이 카페는 천주의 성요한 수도회가 늘푸른나무복지관에서 운영한다.
복지관의 사회복지사로도 일하는 유점화는 최승미와 김남덕은 카페의 ‘엘리트’라면서, 한 달에 38만 원씩 받는다고 했다.
늘푸른나무복지관장 이은명 수사(안드레아)는 늘푸른나무복지관에서는 자판기 운영, 문구류 포장, 성물 제작 같은 사업을 한다면서, 모든 사업에 장애인을 고용한다고 했다.
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SEOUL (UCAN) -- A cafe run by the Catholic Church is giving a newfound sense of confidence to its staff of mentally challenged people.
Marcia Choi Seung-mi (left) and Kim Nam-deok, two |
Marcia Choi Seung-mi, one of eight such people who work in Granada cafe, says she is now confident she can do things as well as other people.
"Two-and-half years' work as a coffeemaker here have given me that confidence and I really thank Brother Andrew Lee who helped me work here," said Choi.
"In the early stages I couldn't tell the difference between cappuccino and caffe latte. I even made hot coffee many times when customers ordered it iced," the 34-year-old Catholic told UCA News.
Choi now dreams of becoming a barista, a coffee-house employee who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks.
Kim Nam-deok, who like Choi works three days a week at the cafe, shared: "I work as a cashier and a waiter but I am still slow to calculate money. Customers wait for me patiently without complaint, for which I really thank them."
"I am so happy here and don't want to go to any other workplace," he added with a smile.
Choi makes coffee while Kim prepares to serve customers |
Cafe manager Yu Jum-hwa, told UCA News that as far she knew, Granada was the first coffee shop run by the Catholic Church for the welfare of disabled people.
The Hospitaller Order of St. John of God in Korea, which serves the disabled, alcoholic, homeless and aged, runs the project at its Evergreen Rehabilitation Center in Seoul.
Yu, who is also the social welfare worker at the center, said that Choi and Kim are the star performers at the cafe and get 380,000 won (US$320) a month.
"When I got my first pay from the cafe, I bought a handkerchief for my mother and a necktie for my father. They were so happy they almost cried. I will never forget that," Choi said.
Center director Brother Andrew Lee Eun-myeong said Evergreen also runs small businesses such as operating vending machines, packing stationery and making religious items.
People with disabilities are employed in all these businesses, he said.