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KONTIKI residential home on course into the future Building-extension and pathbreaking modifications for people with mental and physical disabilities A TRUE HOME DEAR READER Many years ago, when our youngest daugh- But it is becoming increasingly evident that ter, who unfortunately died at an earlay the KONTIKI has reached its limits. The lack age, was born with a severe disability, we of space is so acute that parts of the work- realized very clearly what an intense phy- shops and the administration are tempo- sical and mental effort is required, to care rarily housed in containers. Fortunately, for a loved one with severe limitations. The the KONTIKI Foundation has been able to care soon exceeded our strength. Not all acquire land right next to the original site. people with severe disabilities have a The plans for the new building, which inte- family. It is therefore important and ex- grates well into the overall structure, have tremely valuable that there are homes already been drawn. So that the ceremony and facilities that have the means at their to mark the beginning of the construction disposal to care for these people. work can take place as soon as possible and that KONTIKI gets the space it really As the years have gone by, I realized, needs urgently. To be able to start the task, what a wonderful institution the KONTIKI the institution relies on donations. Residential Home is. When you walk through the front door you immediately I ask you for a moment’s attention for feel welcome. After a few visits, you are the following pages, which describe the greeted like a friend. The exchange is planned project. I also ask for your solida- vivid with relatives, the people living in the rity with people who live with disabilities. village and those from outside. Everyone Our commitment is needed to enable is open-minded. Here, people with dis- them to live a meaningful life. Many thanks! abilities find a true home. And the day care center is increasingly being frequented by people from outside in order to pursue a satisfying, meaningful activity during the day. Roland Heim, member of the cantonal government, President of the patronage committee of the KONTIKI Residential Home Foundation 3 4 GROUND UNDER THE FEET DEAR READER KONTIKI – It is not by chance, that our re- the people who live and work here, for our sidential home is called like this. Like the employees and for the many people who raft on which an adventurer once headed would like to live in our residential home. from Peru across the wild ocean to reach the mainland again, the KONTIKI Residen- We also want to continue promoting tial Home also aims to provide safe ground inclusive developments and not rest where for its inhabitants. We convey confidence we are now. We want to swim on the and strengthen self-esteem. What we have crest of the wave into the future too and done for almost 40 years in a most com- sometimes look ahead for the famous mendable way now needs a new setting. «nautical mile». But we cannot do this alone. Therefore, it would be immensely The extension and the technical modifi- valuable for us to undertake the planned cations to the building are an absolutely journey with you. On behalf of all those necessity to be able to continue our work affected and involved, we thank you as a professional institution – for our re- sincerely. sidents, the external day visitors and our highly valued staff. Day after day and night after night they do their best. The limi- ted space is an additional challenge for all, making everyday life difficult. And it is extremely unsatisfying that we cannot realize the plans approved by the canton because we do not have enough space. The planned adjustments are urgent – for Hans Ruedi Ingold President KONTIKI Residential Home Foundation 5 THE KONTIKI INTRODUCES ITSELF Home and day care: The KONTIKI Residential Home offers a home and integrated working space for people with mental and physical disabilities – for the rest of their lives. The KONTIKI, which is sponsored by the The name KONTIKI Residential Home Foundation, The name KONTIKI is drawn from the raft accompanies people with physical and of the same name with which in 1947 the mental disabilities. As much as necessary Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl and as little as possible: which is the core sailed from Peru across the Pacific. The theme supporting all areas of life of the aim of the trip was to provide evidence residents as well as the external day visitors. that the colonization of Polynesia from South America was possible with the The contact between the residents and means of pre-Inca time. The raft is part employees is close – KONTIKI is a big fa- of the blue-white logo of the KONTIKI mily. This creates a feeling of being in good Residential Home. The name is a symbol hands, but still there is the possibility for of trusting the chosen path and facing the privacy and individuality. The forms of living new. match the different life stages and needs. KONTIKI has an external resident group and a department exclusively for senior citizens; a special room is provided for temporary accommodation or for getting acquainted with KONTIKI. In the day care, which also provides in- house services and work for the residential Key figures home as well as in the garden. The residents 54 residents (including 16 places for «Goldies»: people and external day visitors are encouraged with disabilities in their old age) and challenged. A main pillar of KONTIKI is 1 external resident group the creation of products for cats and dogs which are sold in the KONTIKI SHOP KON- 1 short stay or holiday room HAPI. And in the KONTIKI CAFE KARANGA 52 working spaces in the integrated day care guests like to drop in, to be spoiled with 72 employees sweets or they enjoy the daily fresh lunch menu. 7 ... I like it in my residential group, where my friend Roland is living too. I enjoy the differ- ent programs in the day care, I most enjoy painting. Review 1980 The residential home for people with disabilities was opened in Zuchwil. 1985 For the time being three times, later four times a year, the in-house newspaper «Üsi Zytig», now called «KONTIKI Logbook», is published. 1996 The residential home is named KONTIKI. 1998 A male resident and a female resident get married; in the Roman Catholic Church of Biberist. 1999 The two-day excursion of the entire residential home, which takes place annually before the institution moves to Subingen, takes the residents to the Christmas Market in Munich and twice to Eurodisneyland in Paris. 2000 ISO certification. 2006 A specialized group for the elderly with disabilities is founded and the «Goldies» department for elderly people with disabilities is established. 2013 Exhibition by the well-known artist Schang Hutter in the house and garden. 2014 Participation in the regional trade exhibition. 2017 Exhibition stand at the fair «HESO Solothurn». 8 A DAY AT THE KONTIKI Open, friendly, cheerful: The KONTIKI is committed to helping each other and to providing a relaxed atmosphere. Due to the limited space, this often demands great improvisation and patience. Let’s have a look inside: There is a lot going on this morning. The The residents are met at eye level, the care automatic front door opens and closes, takes place respectfully and friendly, and people are coming and going. People are the contact among the residents is lively talking everywhere. «Good morning», «hi», and full of helpfulness. KONTIKI is a big «how are you?» Warming sunlight is shining family. through the skylight of the well-attended CAFE KARANGA. A resident places pillows With a lot of activities around the house, on the sofa with great care. Every move the residents are encouraged and asked to he underlines with a thoughtful «like this». give their best. Everyone able to help does «Exactly like this,» he finally concludes. so. This morning, the laundry needs to Now resting on the sofa and studying the be ironed, napkins and towels are folded, ice cream menu. At the next table, a senior sorted by color and sent to the various citizen and her partner drink cappuccino. departments of the residence. Two women Years ago, the two of them moved to the and two men are sitting around the table, KONTIKI together and now they live in a concentrating on what they are doing. double room in the residential department Every move is carried out precisely. But of the retired «Goldies». While he is reading the space is limited. Between the two the newspaper, she greets passing people powered wheelchairs there is hardly by their name, gets up, shakes hands, and enough room, each maneuvering needs taps some people on the shoulder. At the to be exact. Originally, it was assumed that corner table, a woman tickles her table the residents would work mainly exter- neighbor, shouts «cock-a-doodle-doo» nally. But the necessity of helping in their and finally gets the man laughing. own residential home grew continuously. Suddenly someone yells «Znüni!» – it’s time A big family to have a snack! – and the next bottleneck The mood of KONTIKI is friendly and cheer- is revealed: There is no room for break. ful. That may be due to the architecture, Therefore everyone eats the apple slices which is bright, open and colorful. Above and the slices of bread in a corner, next to all, a positive spirit is active all over the mountains of laundry to be ironed.

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