PROJECT
Tjaska Wasi
Tjaska Wasi is a non-profit organization supported by the Erie Foundation. Its name means “House of Stars” in Quechua, an indigenous language spoken in the Andes region of South America. It refers to a home which provides a safe environment for young people living with mental health problems and/or dropping out of school. It houses five young adults in shared accommodation, allowing them greater autonomy. The organization also offers a day-care center for teenagers aged between 12 and 17 who are experiencing difficulties at school or who have recently been hospitalized. It organizes activities (pottery, horse riding, etc.) for these young people, enabling them to make social connections outside the traditional school system. It also offers them follow-up sessions with mental health professionals.