L'Arche Lithuania
Communities : KAUNA, VILNIUS - 2 houses
Core members : 36 - 8 welcomed in a L’Arche home & 4 respite care spaces

Meet Edita, her touching story

Edita grew up in a family that had many difficulties. She experienced times of abandonment, rejection and abuse. Fortunately, she now lives with a loving and supportive Aunt. Edita has been involved with L’Arche Kaunas since September of 2017, and the impact on her life is already evident. She is growing in relationships, which gives her the confidence to try new activities. For example, in the community she takes the initiative to wash dishes, keep the space organized and tidy. These are things her Aunt didn’t realize she was capable of! While remaining shy, Edita smiles and laughs more often, and talks more about her life. Her presence brings joy to everyone around her. 

"When there is a good life in the community disability can disappear, but after leaving the community it will appear again.” - Martynas Šimkus - (Core Member, author of a published book of poems)

Creating Change

  • L’Arche’s expression of dignity, respect and hospitality towards every human being are important examples for the country’s social system, which still reflects the old Soviet style. The Minister of Social Affairs recognizes L’Arche as an example, and it is influencing government policies going forward. 
  • The community has built strong ties with other organizations in the neighborhood. These partnerships allow them to provide more diverse opportunities for Core Members, and have a greater impact on society. 

Vision for the Future

  • Although there is a movement towards de-institutionalization, many people with intellectual disabilities still live in large institutions, which usually provide very limited opportunities for personal development, social interaction or a sense of personal dignity. 
  • Practicing Christianity was strictly forbidden in Lithuania until its independence from Soviet occupation 25 years ago. As a result, there remains in the culture some strong negative attitudes towards Christian organizations. 

Spread the word!

Discover our Global Solidarity Album to learn more about Lithuania and other countries in need of financial support.

 

Download the Global Solidarity Album

Discover more communities!

 

Support us!

Donate securely to L’Arche International

You will be redirected to L’Arche in your home country. Select your country:

  L’Arche Canada Foundation

  Fondation Les Amis de L’Arche (France)

  L’Arche UK

  L’Arche USA

 Other Country

Select a continent or a country Select a continent or a country

Select a category: All Africa America Asia Europe
<h1><strong>L’Arche Ivory Coast</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Ivory Coast, you can help them to welcome more Core Members by opening a fourth house in Bouaké.</p>

L’Arche Ivory Coast

By financially supporting L'Arche Ivory Coast, you can help them to welcome more Core Members by opening a fourth house in Bouaké.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Egypt</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Egypt, you can help them to be an example to the society of how to treat persons with disabilities.</p>

L’Arche Egypt

By financially supporting L'Arche Egypt, you can help them to be an example to the society of how to treat persons with disabilities.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Uganda</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Uganda, you can help them renovate and upgrade one of their buildings in order to generate more local revenue for the community.</p>

L’Arche Uganda

By financially supporting L'Arche Uganda, you can help them renovate and upgrade one of their buildings in order to generate more local revenue for the community.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Zimbabwe</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Zimbabwe, you can help them develop a therapy center which will provide physiotherapy for the community members, and offer services to people in the area. </p>

L’Arche Zimbabwe

By financially supporting L'Arche Zimbabwe, you can help them develop a therapy center which will provide physiotherapy for the community members, and offer services to people in the area. 

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Brazil</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Brazil, you can help them increase opportunities for personal development and quality of life for the Core Members.</p>

L’Arche Brazil

By financially supporting L'Arche Brazil, you can help them increase opportunities for personal development and quality of life for the Core Members.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Haïti</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Haïti, you can help them strengthen L’Arche Schools by updating curriculum, recruiting more qualified staff, and integrating parent and student feedback.</p>

L’Arche Haïti

By financially supporting L'Arche Haïti, you can help them strengthen L’Arche Schools by updating curriculum, recruiting more qualified staff, and integrating parent and student feedback.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Honduras</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Honduras, you can help them invest in the physical infrastructure of the communities, and thereby more appropriately provide for the needs of the Core Members.</p>

L’Arche Honduras

By financially supporting L'Arche Honduras, you can help them invest in the physical infrastructure of the communities, and thereby more appropriately provide for the needs of the Core Members.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Mexico</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Mexico, you can help them find new ways for the communities to engage with broader society.</p>

L’Arche Mexico

By financially supporting L'Arche Mexico, you can help them find new ways for the communities to engage with broader society.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Bangladesh</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Bangladesh, you can help them strengthen the salary program and professional growth opportunities, which will promote a more stable and healthy community life.</p>

L’Arche Bangladesh

By financially supporting L'Arche Bangladesh, you can help them strengthen the salary program and professional growth opportunities, which will promote a more stable and healthy community life.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche India</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche India, you can help them establish a salary program that is relevant to local conditions, and makes it possible for the staff to make longer-term commitments.</p>

L’Arche India

By financially supporting L'Arche India, you can help them establish a salary program that is relevant to local conditions, and makes it possible for the staff to make longer-term commitments.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Croatia</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Croatia, you can help them promote a culture of solidarity in the local neighbourhood.</p>

L’Arche Croatia

By financially supporting L'Arche Croatia, you can help them promote a culture of solidarity in the local neighbourhood.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Lithuania</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Lithuania, you can help them expand the physical structure of the community to include a workshop, and thereby create opportunities for day time activities for persons with intellectual disabilities in the community and the neighbourhood.</p>

L’Arche Lithuania

By financially supporting L'Arche Lithuania, you can help them expand the physical structure of the community to include a workshop, and thereby create opportunities for day time activities for persons with intellectual disabilities in the community and the neighbourhood.

See more
<h1><strong>L’Arche Ukraine</strong></h1> <hr /> <p>By financially supporting L'Arche Ukraine, you can help them conduct more activities to spread the L’Arche mission, not only in the city and region but also throughout the country.</p>

L’Arche Ukraine

By financially supporting L'Arche Ukraine, you can help them conduct more activities to spread the L’Arche mission, not only in the city and region but also throughout the country.

See more