It is nothing new that the vegetable garden can give a lot to anyone: to eat, to relate to the earth, to educate, to enjoy nature, to enjoy the knowledge of previous generations… In some cases, horticulture also becomes an exercise, an activity of therapy.

Following this line, the Aita Menni Mental Health Hospital in Arrasate has launched a new project: the organic farming seminar. The project, called Ereiaro, was assisted by the Ekoudalatx cooperative.

From sowing to sale of the product

The infrastructures have been launched in the garden of the Aita Menni Hospital, which has therapeutic garden, aromatic plant area, nursery and greenhouse, composting area and experimentation area in the nursery.

As the project's drivers have explained, the patients in the health center will participate in the entire production process, from seed planting to the sale of the products received, always depending on the capacities of each person. During this process, users will be able to manipulate, sow and grow seeds or generate compost and fertilizer. In addition, the products obtained will be sold at the fairs of the surrounding villages.

Aiming at social integration

Each day, about 50 patients gather around the organic nursery. “Beyond organic plant production, this initiative also has a human dimension. The ultimate goal of the Ereiaro project is the development of people,” said Nerea Altuna, a member of Ekoudalatx, in the presentation of the project.

The main task of the members of Ecoudalatx has been to advise and train therapists to be able to properly develop ecological activities. The installation of the seminar has also been done by themselves.

The head of the Rehabilitation Service of the Aita Menni Hospital, Macarena Aspiunza, clearly indicated the objective of the project in the presentation: “To develop the capacities of people with mental illness or intellectual disability so that they can be complemented and, as far as possible, for their social and employment integration”.