Breathing
Context
In a world where social inequalities and the pressures of daily life weigh heavily on the most vulnerable, the need to create respite spaces is becoming a priority. Women in precarious situations, often confronted with violence, poverty and isolation, or isolated senior citizens locked into a difficult routine, suffer from a crying lack of opportunities to refocus on themselves and find a moment of serenity.
The physical, emotional and psychological exhaustion caused by these living conditions limits their ability to look to the future with hope. And yet, a break in a caring, soothing environment can be a real breath of fresh air, enabling them to make a fresh start.
This is the background to the "Respiration" project, an initiative that combines an idyllic setting, adapted services and an approach focused on well-being and human dignity. Run by the Maurice Machoud Foundation in partnership with FXB Switzerland, the project offers a temporary sanctuary where participants can regain a sense of peace and self-worth.
The "Breathing" project is the fruit of close collaboration between two major players in international and local solidarity: the Maurice Machoud Foundation and FXB Switzerland. These two organizations, driven by shared values of benevolence, inclusion and human dignity, have joined forces to offer a concrete and innovative response to the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
- Maurice Machoud Foundation
Since its creation, the Maurice Machoud Foundation's mission has been to help people in precarious situations and offer them opportunities to rebuild their lives. It is recognized for its commitment to vulnerable groups, creating initiatives focused on well-being, support and autonomy.
As part of the "Breathing" project, the Foundation made available a house in Stresa, Italy. The location was designed to meet the needs of the participants: a warm and welcoming space, conducive to rest and rejuvenation. By also covering the cost of transport and accommodation, the Foundation is committed to removing any financial barriers that might hinder access to this initiative, enabling each beneficiary to enjoy a soothing experience without restraint.
- François-Xavier Bagnoud Association - FXB Switzerland
Founded in 1989, FXB is a pioneering organization in the fight against poverty, precariousness and social inequality. Present in many countries, FXB focuses on projects that empower beneficiaries by providing them with practical tools to transform their daily lives.
For the "Respiration" project, FXB Switzerland is contributing its expertise in the design and management of social programs, ensuring that the activities, services and support offered are in line with the needs of the participants. By partnering with the Maurice Machoud Foundation, FXB is ensuring a global, humanistic approach that places beneficiaries at the heart of the initiative.
A shared vision for lasting impact
These two institutions share a common vision: that of a world where every individual, whatever the trials they face, can regain hope and dignity. This collaboration is based on an essential complementarity:
- The Maurice Machoud Foundation is providing the material and financial resources to make this project possible.
- FXB Switzerland brings its social expertise and human support to maximize the impact of the stays on the participants.
Together, they build an innovative and concrete response to complex issues, while ensuring that the experience is both caring, enriching and profoundly transformative.
Project beneficiaries
The "Respiration" project is aimed at women facing particularly challenging life situations, who find little or no respite in their daily lives. The main beneficiaries are :
- Women in precarious situations
- Those who could benefit from social assistance but don't, yet suffer the associated financial and social pressures.
- Victims of violence, whether physical, psychological or economic, for whom a safe, caring space can represent an important step in their reconstruction process.
- Isolated senior women
- Elderly people, often deprived of family or social support, live a daily life marked by boredom, isolation and lack of escape.
- Single mothers and mothers in difficulty
- Mothers can bring their children with them, offering the whole family a moment of respite and rejuvenation in a setting conducive to bonding and serenity.
- Weeks can be dedicated to single-parent families in need.
What these beneficiaries have in common is an urgent need for a break, away from their usual environments, where they can feel safe, welcome and valued. By placing them at the heart of the project, "Breathing" aims to offer them much more than a simple break: it's a real opportunity to reconnect with hope, energy and self-confidence.
Project objectives
The "Breathing" project is designed to meet a number of objectives, centered on supporting the participants:
- Offering a salutary break in a difficult daily routine: enabling beneficiaries to get away from daily pressures and constraints to regain emotional and mental balance.
- Create a healing environment: provide a space where women can relax, take care of themselves and cultivate moments of well-being.
- Promote exchanges and solidarity: encourage the creation of links between participants through meetings, shared activities and harmonious group living.
- Stimulate personal development and creativity: offer activities such as yoga, pottery or cooking to enable beneficiaries to explore new perspectives for personal fulfillment.
- Restoring confidence and hope: offering a framework where participants feel recognized, valued and supported, with a view to personal reconstruction.
Terms of stay
- Duration: 7-day stays. From Monday 12:00 pm to the following Monday evening.
- Support: accommodation and transport are fully covered by the Maurice Machoud Foundation. Basic supplies (food and hygiene) will also be available on site.
- Location: the villa acquired in Stresa, Italy, is home to the project's beneficiaries. Set in a peaceful and rejuvenating environment, the house offers bedrooms for 2 to 3 people, enabling participants to come alone or accompanied by their children. There's also a communal living area and kitchen, encouraging exchanges and conviviality, and a shared swimming pool, ideal for relaxation.
Beneficiaries will be independent on site. However, a housekeeper will be available in a neighboring village in case of problems in the house, as well as to clean up at the end of the stay. A list of local activities will also be offered, enabling residents to discover the richness of the region.
In certain weeks, specific activities can be organized to enrich the experience of participants:
- Yoga and relaxation to soothe body and mind.
- Creative workshops such as pottery and painting, to stimulate creativity and self-expression.
- Sharing experiences, massages, hypnosis to really disconnect from everyday life.
- A collective kitchen that encourages sharing and bonding between participants.
These activities contribute to making each stay a unique and enriching experience, and will be supervised and led by people interested in getting involved in the project.