The “Clever Hands” Foundation was established in 1996, at the initiative of the families from the “Faith and Light” community (https://www.foietlumiere.org/en) in Târgu Mureș, which was formed in 1991.
“Faith and Light” is a community movement born from the desire to help people with disabilities (especially intellectual) and their families find their place in the church and in society.
The movement was founded in 1971 in France by Jean Vanier and Marie-Hélène Mathieu as a response to the refusal of families to participate in a pilgrimage with their children with intellectual disabilities. The “Faith and Light” movement currently has over 1,200 communities organized in 51 provinces across five continents, in 86 countries, and in 38 different languages. At the heart of these communities are the person with intellectual disabilities, their parents, and the supporting community.
The mission is to create bonds of friendship and mutual help among all members, to reveal each person’s unique gift and beauty, to support parents in their efforts to help and encourage their children to use their abilities, and to appreciate more the inner beauty of their children.
The “Faith and Light” movement believes that people with disabilities can become a source of unity in society and in the church, as well as between churches and nations.
