It’s a restaurant like no other: that of inclusion in every way. Vegan and employing deaf people, the project has been supported by Arthur Devilliers for six years now. This young deaf man of Congolese origin first started selling vegan sweets, before developing
Furahaa, “Joy” in Swahili, a vegan fast food “so that as many people as possible can come”, he comments. Established in the second arrondissement of Paris since January 2020, the place now has eight employees.
Pedagogy and humanism
Here, “for once it’s not for people with disabilities to adapt, but for hearing people who come to order food, that changes,” says Alison, a long-time vegan customer. She also confides that it “makes her want to learn sign language”. And for the staff too, this place is synonymous with novelty, as for Lydia, 41, who previously worked at Quick: “It was hard to get up in the morning, I was isolated all day, I was there. only deaf… But now I can have a real relationship with my colleagues and with hearing people. It feels good. “In front of her, Hadrien, an architect who works in the neighborhood and who comes to take out twice a month in the fast food restaurant:” The food is very good and when I have a question, I write it on my phone is easy. “
For Arthur Devilliers, the challenge of his restaurant is both to offer work for deaf people while making customers aware of sign language in order to “create a bridge between the deaf and hearing”. On the walls of the restaurant, posters indicate some basic signs to be able to communicate with the employees. On the brand’s Instagram account, short videos also introduce Internet users to sign language.
The young man has made the fight against the isolation of disabled people his hobbyhorse. And for that he intends to promote the versatility of his employees, like Walid, who has worked at Furahaa for four years and who trains newcomers: “We go from the kitchen to the cashier, to the reception of parcels, We’re not bored. “
Obviously, some customers are surprised when they walk in, “but quickly they understand and everything always goes well”, explains Lydia. According to a couple who settled on the terrace, “the concept breaks the taboo surrounding the employment of deaf people. It’s great that they have access to trade jobs ”.
At lunchtime, the restaurant is always full. “We had good media communication”, rejoices the founder. “I am in the process of launching this concept in the form of a fold-out kiosk that can be exported all over the world. It is already in place at Strasbourg station and we want to develop it elsewhere in France next year, before, if all goes well, sending it via international containers ”. A project that will make noise.