A n n u a l r e p o r t
ul. Szpitalna 5/3, 00-031 Warszawa tel.: (+48 22) 828 88 82, fax: (+48 22) 831 99 38 www.pah.org.pl
I. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOUNDATION ...... 2
1. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOUNDATION ...... 2 2. THE ORGANISATION’S OBJECTIVES (STATUTE)...... 2 3. THE FOUNDATION’S ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE...... 3 4. FINANCIAL INFORMATION...... 3 5. EMPLOYMENT ROSTER - POSITIONS ...... 3 6. BANK DEPOSITS ...... 3 7. VALUE OF SHARES HELD ...... 4 8. REAL PROPERTY PURCHASED ...... 4 9. PURCHASE OF FIXED ASSETS WITH A VALUE IN EXCESS OF PLN 5 000...... 4 10. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE FOUNDATION...... 4 11. INFORMATION ON REVENUES ACCRUED TO THE FOUNDATION WITH RESPECT TO PAID BENEFITS ...... 4 13. INFORMATION ON THE FOUNDATION’S SETTLEMENTS WITH THE STATE WITH RESPECT TO TAX LIABILITIES AND ON TAX RETURNS FILED5 II. IMPORTANT EVENTS CONCERNING INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN 2004...... 6
1. IRON CAPITAL PROJECT OF THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION...... 6 2. LIST OF RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION IN 2004 ...... 6 3. OTHER ...... 7 III. HUMANITARIAN AID ...... 8
1. AID TO NATURAL DISASTER VICTIMS...... 8 2. AID TO ARMED CONFLICT VICTIMS ...... 12 3. AID TO PERSONS AFFLICTED WITH STRUCTURAL POVERTY...... 27 IV. AID TO REFUGEES AND REPATRIATES ...... 33
1. THE REFUGEES AID CENTRE (RAC)...... 33 2. REPATRIATES AID PROGRAMME ...... 37 V. HUMANITARIAN EDUCATION...... 44
1. THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION NETWORK OF VOLUNTEER TRAINERS ...... 44 2. TRAINING FOR TEACHERS...... 45 3. HUMANITARIAN SCHOOL...... 46 4. "POMAGAMY" – A MODERN PERIODICAL FOR VOLUNTEERS ...... 48 5. GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION ...... 49 6. SOLIDARY EUROPE – BUILDING STRONG AWARENESS OF THE HUMANITARIAN ASPECT OF THE EUROPEAN IDENTITY...... 50 7. GLEN - VOLUNTEER WORK IN THE SOUTH (GHANA, TANZANIA, UGANDA, INDIA)...... 51 8. "ONE ZLOTY FOR WATER" CAMPAIGN...... 54 9. INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES...... 55 10. "REFUGEE’S SUITCASE" ...... 56 VI. POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION ACTIONS ...... 58
1. CRACOW-BAM AID CHAIN ...... 58 2. INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE DAY...... 58 3. PUPPET DAY...... 58 4. "THE CHILDREN OF EUROPE"...... 58 5. FILM FESTIVAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN FILM ...... 58 6. CHRISTMAS PUPPET TABLE ...... 59 7. TRANSPORT TO LITHUANIA ...... 59 VII. LOCAL AID ...... 60
1. LOCAL AID BY THE TORUŃ OFFICE OF THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION ...... 60 2. LOCAL AID BY THE CRACOW OFFICE OF THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION...... 69 3. LOCAL AID BY THE ŁÓDŹ OFFICE OF THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION...... 72 4. EFFORTS OF THE WROCŁAW VOLUNTEER GROUP ...... 75 VIII. VOLUNTEER WORK...... 77
IX. PUBLIC RELATIONS AND FUNDRAISING ...... 78
1. FUNDRAISING...... 78 2. PR ACTIVITIES IN 2004...... 80 3. THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION IN THE MEDIA...... 82 4. THE POLISH HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION’S INTERNET PLATFORMS ...... 82 5. SUMMARY OF COLLECTIONS...... 83 6. AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS ...... 83
Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
I. General information about the Foundation
1. General information about the Foundation
Organisation name: Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Address: ul. Szpitalna 5/3, 00-031 Warszawa Telephone / Fax: (022) 828 90 86, 831 99 38, 828 88 82 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.pah.org.pl Organisation’s bank Bank BPH S.A account: Warsaw Branch, ul. Nowy Świat 6/12 00-400 Warszawa 56 1060 0076 0000 4011 0000 1906 Governing bodies: • Foundation Council • Board of Directors • Audit Commission Date of registration, December 20, 1994; District Court for the Capital City of Warsaw, registration file no: Commercial Court - Division XXI, Commercial Registry no 4443;
Nr KRS 0000136833 REGON statistical 010849302 no: Board of Directors: Chairwoman: Janina Ochojska-Okońska, resident in Cracow at ul. Siemiradzkiego 15 m. 3 Members: • Włodzimierz Sarna, resident in Warsaw at ul. Bruzdowa 93 A • Grzegorz Gruca, resident in Warsaw at ul. Czereśniowa 49 • Małgorzata Jasiczek Gebert, resident in Warsaw at ul. Gałczyńskiego 3 m.2 • Aleksandra Rezunow, resident in Warsaw at ul. Czerwonego Krzyża 6 m. 8
2. The Organisation’s objectives (statute)
The mission of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation is to make the world a better place through the alleviation of suffering and the propagation of humanitarian values. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation helps people (communities) afflicted by crisis situations to become independent and to take control of shaping their own future as quickly as possible, fosters humanitarian attitudes, and cultivates a modern aid-giving culture. In all its activities, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation abides by the overarching principle of acting effectively while respecting human dignity.
Statute § 5
The Foundation’s objective is to organise and give humanitarian and developmental, philanthropic and charitable, social and education aid and counteracting social outcast.
§ 6
The Foundation fulfils the objectives set forth in § 5. by doing the following in particular:
1. Researching and collecting information about aid needs; 2. Obtaining, transporting and distributing aid; 3. Creating permanent and temporary aid missions; 4. Creating and supporting aid centres; 5. Publication and educational activities; 6. Organising cultural and educational events and information campaigns; 7. Organising public collections; 8. Organising conferences and seminars; 9. Offering humanitarian and developmental education; 10. Organising holidays and free time for children and youths.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
3. The Foundation’s organisational structure 1) Foreign Missions Division 2) Immediate Aid Division 3) Permanent Programmes Division 4) Public Relations and Fundraising Division 5) Support Division 6) Regional offices 90-423 Łódź, ul. Piotrkowska 85, tel. 630 34 28; tel./fax 630 34 27 87-100 Toruń, ul. Wielkie Garbary 2, tel./fax 652 13 74 31-010 Cracow, Rynek Główny 29, second floor, tel./fax 422 17 71, fax 422 08 19
4. Financial information The Polish Humanitarian Organisation does not carry on business activity.
The statutory revenues of the Foundation: PLN 14 284 252.02 Including: Cash contributions (from natural and legal persons) PLN 6 742 278.15 Cash contributions (subsidies and grants) PLN 6 487 322.68 Contributions in kind: PLN 877 943.43 Services free of charge: PLN 65 925.58
Expenses associated with the Foundation’s core activities: PLN 11 297 114.02 (including non-cash expenses and costs PLN 1 030 841.43)
Administrative expenses of the Foundation: PLN 1 503 474.01
Remunerations Average annual employment of salaried staff: 47.4 full-time positions Gross remunerations: PLN 1 598 628.53 (without social insurance contributions paid by employer) Commission contracts and contracts for completion of specific tasks PLN 261 930.23
5. Employment roster – positions I. Polish Humanitarian Organisation Warsaw office 1) Foundation Director (Chairwoman of the Board of Directors) – 1 2) Secretariat –1 3) Immediate Aid – 1 4) Foreign Missions – 8 5) Permanent programmes (Education, Refugee Aid Centre, Repatriation, Puppet Programme) – 12 6) Fundraising and Public Relations - 5 7) Support Division (Accountancy and Administration) – 9 II. Polish Humanitarian Organisation Łódź office 1) Office director – 1 2) Permanent programmes - 3 III. Polish Humanitarian Organisation Toruń office 1) Office director – 1 2) Support Division - 1 3) Permanent programmes – 5 IV. Polish Humanitarian Organisation Cracow office 1) Office director – 1 2) Permanent programmes – 1
V. Trainees Warsaw, Toruń, Łódź, Cracow – 5
Employees of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation did not receive any financial awards or bonuses in 2004.
Members of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation’s Board of Directors do not draw any remuneration in consideration for their work in their respective positions.
6. Bank deposits BPH S.A. deposit of PLN 2 881 768.27
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
7. Value of shares held Not Applicable
8. Real property purchased Not Applicable
9. Purchase of fixed assets with a value in excess of PLN 5 000 Passenger car Renault Thalia 44 876.50 Cargo van Mercedes Sprinter 107 806.00 Laptop computer 5 470.48 Dump truck Gaz -3307 KO-440-3 46 315.62 Passenger car Lada Niva 24 883.78 Generator 11 079.58 Car wash 9 806.04 Car garage 11 436.99
Total 261 674.99
10. Assets and liabilities of the Foundation 1) Total assets PLN 9 156 464.93 2) Total liabilities PLN 294 227.03
11. Information on revenues accrued to the Foundation with respect to paid benefits Not Applicable
12. Information on tasks commissioned to the Foundation by state and local self- government entities (services, state tasks farmed out, public procurement) and financial results Donor Applicant Project Value (PLN) Ministry of National Education Repatriation Polish language course for the 224 925.08 and Sports repatriates Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Warsaw office Iraq 198 115.81 the Republic of Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Warsaw office Afghanistan 304 518.52 the Republic of Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Warsaw office Cameroon Atok 1 9 009.53 the Republic of Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Warsaw office Cameroon Atok 1 42 990.48 the Republic of Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Warsaw office Cameroon Dimako 18 000.04 the Republic of Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Warsaw office Sudan 190 874.82 the Republic of Poland Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Warsaw office Asia 178 125.70 the Republic of Poland MOPS, Łódź Łódź office Community day care centre 32 774.41 Municipal Office, City of Łódź Łódź office Community day care centre 36 827.79 Municipal Office, Capital City of Repatriation Support volunteers 25 476.58 Warsaw Municipal Office, Capital City of Refugee Aid Centre Integration day care centre for 7 361.58 Warsaw foreigners Gmina of the City of Toruń Toruń office 5th Picnic for the fans of the Polish 4 925.09 Humanitarian Organisation Municipal Office, City of Cracow office Humanitarian Cracow 1 941.36 Cracow Voivodship Office, Mazowsze Refugee Aid Centre Social Aid 9 037.60 Voivodship Office, Mazowsze Repatriation Support volunteers 14 903.82 Municipal Office, City of Łódź Łódź office Summer recreation - day camps 3 700.00 Municipal Office, City of Łódź Łódź office Summer recreation 4 000.00 Voivodship Office, Mazowsze Refugee Aid Centre Social Aid 21 871.56 Gmina of the City of Toruń Toruń office Community day care centre 5 970.00 Gmina of the City of Toruń Toruń office Social Information Office 3 120.00 TOTAL 1 338 469.77 *The amounts given above refer to resources actually used.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
13. Information on the Foundation’s settlements with the state with respect to tax liabilities and on tax returns filed 1) Personal income tax (on remunerations and commission contracts) is being deducted on an on- going basis pursuant to the monthly PIT-4 declaration. The tax liabilities as at 31.12.2004 are PLN 17 008.10 2) The Foundation is exempted from corporate income tax. This means that it does not file CIT-2 declarations but only an annual CIT-8 declaration.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
II. Important events concerning institutional development in 2004
1. Iron Capital Project of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation
Pursuant to the assumptions of the application and the grant contests, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation continued its fundraising campaign to increase the value of the Iron Capital. The campaign allowed the Polish Humanitarian Organisation to achieve the following results in 2004: PLN 100 000 - contribution from Bank BPH PLN 35 000- contribution from Philip Morris Polska S.A.
Furthermore, the Foundation filed an application for a grant to JPMorgan Chase Foundation from New York for a support of 50 000 USD.
Pursuant to the assumptions of the project, the Board of Directors elected the Iron Capital Investment Council of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. The main task of the Council is, among other things, to define the investment rules and to monitor the work of the company managing the funds.
Capital - as at Interest for Interest in USD as Source Interest for 2004 Total USD 31/12/03 2003 at 31.12.2004 The Ford 100 000.00 152.08 249.26 401.34 100 401.34 Foundation
Status as at Interest in PLN as Date received Capital (PLN) Total PLN 31/12/03 at 31.12.2004 Batory - 26/07/2004 1 200 000.00 519.03 1 200 519.03 Foundation
Bank BPH 50 000.00 150 000.00 50.00 150 123.15
Bank BPH 100 000.00 07/07/2004 73.15
Phillip Morris 24/11/2004 35 000.00 0.69 35 000.69 Polska S.A.
Total 1 385 000.00 642.87 1 385 642.87 * funds deposited as part of term deposits
2. List of resolutions adopted by the Management Board of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in 2004 The composition of the Board of Directors of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation has remained unchanged during last year.
In 2004 the Foundation’s Board of Directors met 12 times, adopted 11 resolutions – see the list below. Including the most important ones having a fundamental impact on the organisation’s activities: a resolution on creating Funds and the rules on managing them (Iron and Reserve Capital) and amendments to the statute, especially as it regards narrowing down the objectives of the organisation and on transforming the Donors’ Council into a Foundation Council.
A decision was taken as part of long-term strategic activities to gradually withdraw from the local programmes created around the Puppet Campaigns, which leads to a gradual transformation of the Regional Offices. The changes are supposed to be implemented slowly in order to avoid a drastic cut-off of the beneficiaries from aid. It was also decided to strengthen the efforts related to foreign aid - immediate aid and missions. Since Poland acceded the European Union, new opportunities appeared thanks to the cooperation with ECHO – European Community Humanitarian Office. A sanitary project as part of the efforts of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation mission was accomplished jointly with ECHO in Chechnya. This was a new experience for the Polish Humanitarian Organisation, the effects of which will be summarised next year. The annual report contains a detailed substantive description of all the efforts.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
List of resolutions adopted by the Management Board of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in 2004 1. 20.01.04 – on granting an annual power of attorney to the Directors of the Regional Offices 2. 04.03.04 – approval of the new nomenclature of the positions and duties of the division directors 3. 07.06.04 – approval of the Social Fund Management Regulations 4. 01.07.04 – on the membership in the Foreign Group 5. 29.07.04 – amendments in the statute concerning creation of funds 6. 06.09.04 – decision on giving aid to the victims of the Beslan tragedy 7. 20.09.04 – approval of the financial statements 8. 12.10.04 – approval of the Iron Capital and Reserve Fund regulations 9. 20.10.04 – amendments in the statute concerning the possible change in the objectives 10. 27.12.04 – decision on giving aid to the victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami in South-eastern Asia 11. 29.12.04 – amendments in the statute, including the objectives
3. Other 1) On 19.03.2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation was given a status of a public benefit organisation which made it possible to obtain money from 1% income tax for the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. In 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation gathered PLN 1 615 194.30 2) On 29.07.2004 the Board of Directors adopted a resolution to create the following funds: Iron Capital and Immediate Aid Reserve Fund 3) On 29.07.2004 and 29.12.2004 the Board of Directors adopted resolutions to amend the statute of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation (new statute is attached). These changes were the result of: a. the need to update the statute which was originally drawn up in 1994. In February 2000 a paragraph allowing the Polish Humanitarian Organisation to carry on business activities was deleted from the statute. b. the new statute defined new objectives and allowed the Polish Humanitarian Organisation to expand its efforts (such as finding ways to obtain funds for its statutory operations) c. the need to adapt the statute of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation to the act on public benefit organisations d. the need to introduce provisions on creating funds: Iron Capital and Immediate Aid Reserve Fund 4) On 2.08.2004 the Board of Directors made a decision to hand over the day care centres run by the Regional Offices in Łódź and Toruń to other organisations involved in similar activities or to an association established by the persons running these day care centres. This decision was the result of the fact that the Polish Humanitarian Organisation will not expand these activities but will rather focus on humanitarian programmes. 5) In the same year Poland acceded the European Union, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation accomplished the strategy to obtain funds for statutory operations from the European branches and programmes (EuropeAid Co-operation Office, ECHO, EQUAL Community Initiative and the structural funds) 6) The Polish Humanitarian Organisation continued implementing a new computer system called Alatus Orama which covered the Finance departments and the Personnel and Payroll system from Comers. The implementation of the computer systems made it possible to create such a chart of accounts which makes it possible to settle each project and to analyse the revenues and costs in detail.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
III. Humanitarian Aid
1. Aid to natural disaster victims
1.1. Earthquake in Bam – Iran
The aid campaign started on December 27, 2003.
In 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation received PLN 204 076.46 to aid the victims of the Bam earthquake. After the appeals were made to the public following the earthquake, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation received as much as PLN 171 381.08. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation collected PLN 375 457.54 in total.
The need Over 35 thousand residents of Bam were left homeless after the Iran earthquake on December 26, 2003. Initially the most needed items were tents, blankets, clothes, drugs, water containers, cooking utensils, cleaning agents.
Objective The Polish Humanitarian Organisation’s objective in the first stage was to provide the victims with articles guaranteeing temporary survival. The objective of the second stage was to guarantee temporary living conditions. The aim of the third stage was to create permanent living conditions for a selected group of people.
Description of actions undertaken Humanitarian transport The first shipment of cleaning agents, first-aid blankets and cooking stoves worth PLN 7 983 was sent on December 30, 2003.
On January 8, 2004 the second shipment sent by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation included sleeping bags, blankets, tents and vitamins worth PLN 28 707. The shipping costs were covered by the Ministry of National Defence.
Missions of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation Mission to create temporary living conditions for the people of Bam
A temporary Polish Humanitarian Organisation mission has been operating in Bam since January 25 till March 4, 2004 (one employee and one volunteer from Poland).
Distribution of 2 000 cartons (one for each family registered in the zone) with personal hygiene items in zone no. 11 in Bam was completed on February 27. We purchased 1 500 cartons using own money whereas 500 cartons were donated by Save the Children, so that each family received one set. Each set was comprised of: a towel, soap, scissors, a nail cutter, napkins, dishwashing liquid, shampoo, washing detergent, cream, 2 toothpastes, 3 toothbrushes, a hair brush, a razor, razor blades. These products should keep a family going for approx. 2 months. The total number of beneficiaries was approx. 8 000 people. The distribution was conducted in cooperation with the Red Halfmoon operating in zone 11. The representatives of the Bam community participated in the distribution process. Our distribution zone was divided into 4 sub-zones for distribution and other purposes. 6 vehicles (a Polish Humanitarian Organisation representative sat in each one to assure proper distribution) distributed approx. 500 boxes in the morning and approx. 500 boxes in the afternoon. All boxes were handed out after the beneficiaries were identified by a representative of the given sub-zone (a Bam resident) and after being entered in a special log, on the basis of which distribution is performed here. A group of students from Teheran who are organising an orphanage and other forms of aid helped us control the distribution process.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Apart from this, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation financed the construction and installation of 100 toilets and 8 double shower facilities in zone 11.
During our mission there the Polish Humanitarian Organisation commenced relations with a group of Iranian volunteers from the Teheran University who are running an orphanage in Bam. Some of them have already cooperated with Shirin Ebadi at the Children’s Rights Protection organisation. This group established a SIB – Setode Jori be Bam (Bam Aid Committee) organisation one day after the earthquake.
There are approx. 50 children in the orphanage each day. The orphanage is located in a dozen of tents. Apart from building the toilets and showers and supplying water, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation purchased: 1. paper supplies for the art class – colour paper, paint, Bristol paper, drawing paper, folders, colour crayons, etc., 2. disposable dishes – the children are provided with a hot meal at the orphanage, 3. sewing machine and fabrics – older girls are learning to sew and are sewing clothes for younger children, 4. shelves and children’s books, 5. equipment to play learning materials (VCD player) and a computer with a printer and scanner (the children will publish their own bulletin), 6. wooden platforms and roofs (it is very hot in the summer so shading is needed even outside, the platforms protect against snakes and scorpions.
After talks with the leaders of this group in Teheran, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation decided to build the orphanage in May of this year.
Mission to create permanent living conditions for the people of Bam Another temporary Polish Humanitarian Organisation mission has been operating in Bam since May 22 till June 2004 (one employee and one volunteer from Poland). The objective of this mission was to create permanent living conditions for the Bam orphanage.
The orphanage is a home to approx. 50 children who lost either both or one of the parents or siblings. They all have experienced tremendous hardships and witnessed the tragic deaths of their loved ones. They spend the whole day at the orphanage and go back "home" in the evening (are taken under the roof by relatives). The children learn to write, read and perform calculations on a daily basis, they also participate in different sports, music and art classes. One of the tents houses a library where the volunteers read and perform different plays, another tent houses a kindergarten full of colourful building blocks, toys and drawings made by the children. Yet another tent houses a carpet making and sewing facility where girls learn to sew. A soccer field is located among the tents (the children frequently play soccer or dodge ball). Lessons and talks with children are held under a tarpaulin (the volunteers include psychology students who help the children to forget about their terrible experiences). Other tents house a kitchen (the children receive two meals each day), a medical post and "accommodations" for the volunteers.
The Polish Humanitarian Organisation made a decision to finance the construction of the building to house the orphanage. As part of its efforts the Polish Humanitarian Organisation contributed financially to the purchase of a temporary building for the orphanage which replaced the tents at the end of July of this year which provided a temporary facility where the children learned and slept and financed the construction of the foundations for the building referred to in item 1 and the foundations for the sanitary container which SIB will receive from ADRA Germany.
Apart from this, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation signed a framework cooperation agreement between the Polish Humanitarian Organisation and SIB, under which the Polish Humanitarian Organisation will be able to finance future SIB projects in Bam, and helped the SIB volunteers with drawing up the projects from Save the Children and Mercy Corps.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Results The Polish Humanitarian Organisation helped approx. 8 thousand beneficiaries (hygiene sets), who were provided with hygiene articles for two months. Approx. 6 thousand people from zone 11 were able to use toilets and showers, which led to better sanitary conditions. It was possible to create temporary and then permanent learning conditions (construction of the orphanage building) for approx. 50 children, so that we can talk about permanent effects of our efforts.
Partners In Bam the Polish Humanitarian Organisation cooperated closely with the local SIB organisation in Iran, which had a very good overview of the situation in Bam. The Faculty of Oriental Studies of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow got involved in the aid mission by organising the collections and the chain during the stay of Shirin Ebadi in Poland.
Arrival of Shirin Ebadi – winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize - in Cracow The winner of the Noble Peace Prize Shirin Ebadi, invited by the Mayor of Cracow and the Polish Humanitarian Organisation, paid a visit to Cracow on March 10, 2004. On this occasion the Cracow office of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation organised a fundraising campaign to raise funds for the Bam orphanage and organised a happening called "Cracow-Bam Aid Chain", which surrounded the Main Square (see detailed description of the local efforts – Cracow)
Organisation of cultural events and collection of donations and money in Toruń to help the victims of the Iran earthquake
A collection of donations and money was held between February 2-18, 2004 and again between September 08-12 and two series of cultural events were organised. A public fundraising campaign was carried out to gather funds for the victims of the Bam earthquake.
The main objective of the campaigns was to collect funds to help the victims of the Bam earthquake. • Increasing the awareness to help the victims of the disaster in Iran and other parts of the world • Collection of funds to help people in Iran
A subsidy of PLN 10 000 was received from the Municipal Office of Toruń which was allotted in full to purchase dressings, blankets and warm quilts. The purchase was made in January 2004 (the subsidy was allotted on December 30, 2003).
Organisation of a series of cultural events in February 2004 An exhibition of photographs called "My trip to Iran" by Anna Kowal, an Iranian Studies student at the Warsaw University, was organised in the Main Library of the Nicolaus Copernicus University between February 2 and 18, 2004. The photographs portrayed the ancient history of Iran (Persopolis) as well as the modern life – bazaars, mosques, streets. The photographs of the Bam bastion which was destroyed by the earthquake were particularly moving.
A charity concert "Reggae for Iran" was held on February 12, 2004 at the Toruń Student Club "Od Nowa". Bands such as "Paraliż Band" and "Positive Ferment Sound System" appeared. The musicians from both bands gave up their remunerations for their appearance. Another attraction were the slides from Iran displayed during the concert. Other partners also got involved in the organisation of the concert; Radio Sfera let the audio equipment free of charge and Club Od Nowa let the stage and its staff free of charge.
Between February 17 and 18, 2004 volunteers from the Nicolaus Copernicus University conducted a fundraising campaign at the university, which was approved by the university’s Dean. Students from the Faculty of Sociology, Pedagogy, Biology, International Relations, Law, Marketing Management, Polish Philology encouraged other students to support the people of Bam. The overall proceeds from the concert were: PLN 1 867.08.
A summary of the "Aid for the victims of the earthquake in Iran" took place on February 18, 2004. A meeting with the President of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation - Janina Ochojska, political scientist - Piotr Kłodkowski and globetrotters - Agnieszka and Jacek Hila took place in the Large Hall of the Artus Manor. The meeting was devoted to the current social and political situation in Iran. The efforts of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in Bam were also presented.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Organisation of a series of cultural events in September 2004 The Polish Humanitarian Organisation organised a second series of cultural events in Toruń to help the victims of the Bam earthquake between September 8 and 12, 2004.
A fundraising campaign made it possible to raise funds to furnish the orphanage in Bam. The collection commenced on September 8, immediately after a photo exhibition "Bam – a City of Sadness" was opened in the Courtyard of the Old Town Hall. The President of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation Janina Ochojska and the Mayor of the City of Toruń Michał Zaleski participated in this event. The first fundraisers were the Director of the District Museum in Toruń – Anna Kasicka and Wojciech Konieczny – journalist from the Polish Radio of the Pomorze and Kujawy district. Scouts from the Toruń’s troop of the Scouts’ Association of the Republic of Poland raised funds in the next several days. It was possible to raise as much as PLN 510.44.
During the Friday’s concert of the Toruń Chamber Orchestra at the Artus Manor music lovers were able to listen to Tchaikovsky’s and Dvorak’s symphonies and participate in the auction of the works done by the children. Twenty one works done by small artists from around the world, given to the Foundation by Toruń’s Children Gallery and Art Centre. The auction was run by Witold Tokarski. PLN 1 865 was collected during the auction.
Sources of financing Subsidy: Municipal Office of the City of Toruń – 10 000 Public fundraising: PLN 2 377.52 Contributions from natural persons: 2 115.00 Contributions from entrepreneurs without agreements: PLN 1 000 Contributions from schools: 64.70 A total of PLN 15 557.22 was raised in Toruń in 2004 to help the victims of the Bam disaster.
Volunteers The Foundation worked with approx. 30 volunteers who were involved in the organisation of the events, fundraising and musical performances.
Results The aid for Iran programme made it possible to fulfil the third stage of the aid, i.e. creation of permanent grounds for returning to normal conditions (providing education and food for the children). We were unable though to sustain the aid for the orphanage. This was caused by a poor interest of the media in the results of our efforts (as always the media are only interested in the first stage of the aid which is always portrayed as a great disaster). The Polish Humanitarian Organisation co-organised the stay of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi in Cracow but her visit here did not lead to increased interest in the tragedy of the people of Bam. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation even organised an exhibition related to the aid for Iran, and in particular to the orphanage. But the effect of the fundraising campaign in Toruń was PLN 5 557.22 (apart from the subsidy from the Municipal Office)
Collections On December 31, 2003 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation received a permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration no. 165/2003 to raise funds until January 20, 2004. It was possible to raise PLN 106 848.34.
On February 27, 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation received a permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration no. 15/2004 to raise funds until March 31, 2004. It was possible to raise PLN 13 249.70.
Both collections have been fully settled.
Value of contributions deposited on the account: PLN 375 457.54 Money spent on the programme: PLN 155 090.23 Programme costs: PLN 71 117.39
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
2. Aid to armed conflict victims
Permanent aid: Foreign missions of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation
2.1. Mission in Afghanistan
2.1.1. Reconstruction of the main building of the Middle Agricultural School in Kabul 06.2004 – 01.2005
The need According to the UNICEF statistics, over 70% of the society, including 75% of children, were illiterate in 20021. One of the factors having a negative impact on this is lack of school buildings and an appropriate number of trained staff. Insufficient, neglected development of the agriculture which is the source of income for over 80% of the society has a very significant impact on the poor living conditions of majority of the society2. In result of armed conflicts lasting many years, resulting in a large number of casualties and displacements, traditional farming and breeding methods disappeared in majority of the areas or the farming areas have been mined. A large portion of the infrastructure and the farming equipment has been destroyed. Taking into account the number of people earning a major portion of their living from agricultural production, the currently low output has a negative impact on the incomes of the major portion of the population. This means that there is a need to increase the qualifications of the farmers, in which appropriately trained specialists - graduates of agricultural schools and academies - can play a major role.
Objective Reconstruction of the main building of the Middle Agricultural School in Kabul and ensuring proper learning conditions for over 150 Afghan students.
Description of actions undertaken In February 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in Afghanistan received subsidies worth 81 000 USD for the reconstruction of the Middle Agricultural School in Kabul. The tender procedure carried out in the beginning of May 2004 by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation made it possible to find a contractor - "Shafaq Reconstruction". Thanks to the savings made by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation and the contractor, it was also possible to rebuild the building adjacent to the main building. Additionally extra toilets have been constructed outside the building. Basic furniture was purchased for the money that was left over (chairs and desks for students and teachers). The building was officially given over to the Ministry of Education on January 17, 2005.
Results The main building of the Middle Agricultural School in Kabul has been reconstructed and furnished with the basic furniture for students and teachers. Furthermore, it was possible to rebuild the adjacent building and the outside toilets for the money that was saved. 150 students will be able to participate in courses in worthy conditions.
Partners • Construction Department – Department of the Ministry of Education in charge of the construction and reconstruction of the school infrastructure - cooperation mainly involved mutual supervision and control of the construction projects run by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation concerning the reconstruction of the school infrastructure Volunteers 2 volunteers holding the posts of programme officers.
1 UNICEF- Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2003 2 AREU- "Out of step"- Agricultural Policy and Afghan Livelihoods"
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
2.1.2. Reconstruction of the library and laboratory at the Middle Vocational School in Kabul 10.2004 – 02.2005
Objective Reconstruction of the library and laboratory at the Middle Agricultural School in Kabul and ensuring proper learning conditions for over 150 Afghan students.
Description of actions undertaken In October 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation received subsidies from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs worth PLN 300 000 to reconstruct and refurbish the library and the laboratory at the Middle Agricultural School in Kabul. The contractor was "Sadiq – Qazi Zada Reconstruction Company". Unfortunately, due to a very harsh winter it was not possible to complete the project on time, i.e. by the end of 2004.
Results It was not possible to reconstruct the library and the laboratory at the Middle Agricultural School in Kabul on time (by December 31, 2004) due to a particularly harsh winter. The basic furniture and educational materials have been purchased as planned though. Construction work will be continued the moment the weather improves. After this project is completed, students will have better access to specialist agricultural knowledge.
Partners • Construction Department – Department of the Ministry of Education in charge of the construction and reconstruction of the school infrastructure - cooperation mainly involved mutual supervision and control of the construction projects run by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation concerning the reconstruction of the school infrastructure
Volunteers 1 volunteer holding the post of a programme officer
2.1.3. Music lessons for girls from the Allahudin orphanage 08.2003 – 08.2004
The need As in any other society culture plays a significant role in the lives of the Afghans. During the Taliban rule all cultural activities were banned in Afghanistan. The local population has been cut off from the possibility to enjoy and create works of art, and that is why increased interest of the local population in all types of art can be observed. A very significant problem in Afghanistan is still the situation of the women. Their situation deteriorated significantly during the Taliban rule. Girls and women could not attend schools, pursue their learned professions, participate in public life, or leave home without being accompanied by a male relative. According to the UNICEF statistics from 2002 as many as 79% of Afghan women are illiterate. In recent years the number of girls attending elementary schools is estimated at approx. 15%.
Objective Offering music lessons to learn to play traditional Afghan instruments: Tabla and Armonia for 25 girls from the Allahudin orphanage.
Description of actions undertaken In 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation mission in Afghanistan continued with the music lessons for 25 girls at the Allahudin orphanage, giving the children most afflicted by fate an opportunity to learn to play instruments. Mr. Saber, a music teacher employed by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation, held 3 classes a week, each one lasting hour and a half. The project was completed with a small concert in August 2004 in which the representatives from UNESCO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Care participated. It was possible to extend the project for another 5 months thanks to the savings made by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation while implementing the project.
Results 25 children from the Allahudin orphanage in Kabul who took the music classes learned how to play traditional Afghan instruments (tabla and armonia). The project was completed with a concert by the pupils.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Partners • Allahudin orphanage – a government institution established in mid 80s providing care and education for over 700 kids (mainly girls and young boys). The orphanage’s management lets rooms free of charge and the Polish Humanitarian Organisation is responsible for the full implementation of the project (course timetable, teacher supervision, logistics, etc.)
Volunteers 2 volunteers holding the posts of programme officers.
2.1.4. Music lessons for women from the Afghan Housewives Organisation 12.2003 – 09.2004
Objective Offering a six-month music course to learn to play traditional Afghan instruments: Tabla, Armonia and Rubab for 25 women belonging to the Afghan Housewives Organisation.
Description of actions undertaken In 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation mission in Afghanistan continued with music lessons for 25 women in cooperation with the local Afghan Housewives Organisation. Mr. Naeem, a music teacher employed by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation, held 3 classes a week, each one lasting hour and a half. The project was completed in September 2004. Unfortunately, due to an unstable security situation before the presidential elections in October 2004 it was not possible to organise a concert to present the progress of the female musicians.
Results The music lessons for women ended in September 2004, thanks to which 25 women learned to play tabla, armonia and rubab.
Partners • Afghan Housewives Organisation – an organisation established in 2002 after the collapse of the Taliban regime by Mrs. Shahla Abawi trying to promote the rights of women in Afghanistan. Apart from different campaigns for women, the AHO also offers a number of afternoon classes for women, including music classes for Polish Humanitarian Organisation women until September 2004.
Volunteers 2 volunteers holding the posts of programme officers.
2.1.5. Construction of a playground at the centre for street children – ASCHIANA 01 – 04.2004
The need In result of the armed conflict lasting many years, common poverty and lack of access to the basic medical services, many children lost their parents and were deprived of any care because overcrowded orphanages are unable to guarantee a place for everyone who needs it. Many children live out in the streets trying to earn or beg for money for the basic items that will allow them to stay alive. In majority of cases these children do not attend schools and are deprived of the opportunities to develop normally or learn a profession, thanks to which they could improve their situation. They are also exposed to many dangers, mainly they run the risk of being kidnapped by criminal groups selling human organs to western countries. Unofficial statistics maintained by non-governmental organisations dealing with this problem indicate that there are over 8 thousand such children in Kabul alone.
Objective Construction of a playground at the centre for street children – ASCHIANA
Description of actions undertaken In January 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation mission in Afghanistan received subsidies from UNESCO- Afghanistan totalling 30 thousand dollars to go ahead with the DREAM programme, the main component of which was the construction of a playground and a theatre stage for children attending the centre for street children – ASCHIANA. Apart from the construction of the playground, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation offered computer and photography courses (in cooperation with
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Alternatives). The official opening of the playground took place on April 19, 2004 during which the children presented an artistic programme that they prepared themselves and participated in a friendly volleyball game.
Results A playground and a theatre stage for 600 street children being cared for by the local ASCHIANA organisation were built as part of the DREAM programme. A computer and photography course has also been organised. The children were provided with appropriate conditions for playing and gained the basic computer and photography skills. The project was completed with an artistic programme and a volleyball game.
Partners • Afghan Street Working Children Association- an organisation established in 1996 by the engineer Mohammad Yousuf in Kabul. The main statutory objective of ASCHIANA is to help the street children by organising numerous extracurricular activities and an evening school. There are currently 6 ASCHIANA centres in all of Afghanistan. • Alternatives – a Canadian non-governmental organisation
Volunteers 1 volunteer holding the post of a programme officer
2.1.6. Music lessons for girls from the Allahudin orphanage and for boys from the Tahan Maskan orphanage in Kabul 09.2004 - present
Objective Continuation of the music lessons for 25 girls from the Allahudin orphanage and extension thereof to include 15 boys from the Tahan Maskan orphanage in Kabul.
Description of actions undertaken Since September 2004 the project involving music lessons for girls from the Allahudin orphanage, financed by UNESCO up to this point, was given a financial support of 15 thousand dollars from the Swiss Agency for Cooperation and Development, which allowed the girls to continue with the lessons. The project was expanded further to include boys from the Tahan Maskan orphanage, who started their lessons with the traditional Afghan instruments - the tabla and armonia. Completion of the project is planned for May 2005.
Results The music lessons for 25 girls from the Allahudin orphanage, expanded to include 15 boys from the Tahan Maskan orphanage, are being continued. The kids are learning to play traditional Afghan instruments.
Partners • Allahudin orphanage – a government institution established in mid 80s providing care and education for over 700 kids (mainly girls and young boys). The orphanage’s management lets rooms free of charge and the Polish Humanitarian Organisation is responsible for the full implementation of the project (course timetable, teacher supervision, logistics, etc.) • Tahan Maskan orphanage - a government institution established in mid 80s providing care and education for over 500 boys. The orphanage’s management lets the premises to the Polish Humanitarian Organisation which makes sure that the programme is carried out correctly. • Volunteers 1 volunteer holding the post of a programme officer
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
2.1.7. Music and art project "My multicultural, diverse home Afghanistan" for the children of the Allahudin orphanage 12.2004 - present
Objective Realisation of an annual music and art programme for the children of the Allahudin orphanage. 50 children are learning to draw, paint and play instruments (keyboard, violin, guitar) and participate once a week in activities devoted to the multi-culturalism of Afghanistan, tolerance and children’s rights.
Description of actions undertaken In December 2004, thanks to a subsidy of 15 thousand dollars from UNESCO- Afghanistan, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation commenced the realisation of the programme called "My multicultural, diverse home Afghanistan" for 50 children of the Allahudin orphanage. The children are learning to play musical instruments, to draw and paint. Additionally, once a week they participate in activities devoted to the multi-culturalism of Afghanistan, tolerance and children’s rights. The children actively participate in activities where they think up poems, different skits or talk about different areas of life of young people.
Results 50 children from the Allahudin orphanage participate in music and art classes (they learn to play keyboard, guitar and violin, and to draw and paint) and learn about the multi-culturalism of Afghanistan, tolerance and children’s rights.
Partners • Allahudin orphanage – a government institution established in mid 80s providing care and education for over 700 kids (mainly girls and young boys). The orphanage’s management lets the premises free of charge and the Polish Humanitarian Organisation is responsible for the full implementation of the project (course timetable, teacher supervision, logistics, etc.)
2.1.8. Distribution of gifts collected by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in Poland among different relief organisations in Kabul and the Paktia province 01-12.2004
The need In result of the conflicts, natural disasters and other factors which caused that Afghanistan is at the top of the list of the poorest countries, majority of the infrastructure has been destroyed. The refugees currently returning home find their homes destroyed, their villages without schools and medical centres to which they were used to while staying abroad in Pakistan or Iran. The situation is complicated even more by lack of legal regulations as regards the ownership of arable or breeding land. This means that people are basically deprived of the basic source of income and frequently regret the decision to return to their native land.
Objective Distribution of gifts collected by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in Poland among different relief organisations in Kabul and in the Paktia province in southern Afghanistan among internally displaced people and refugees returning home from Pakistan and Iran. The gifts included, among other things, heaters, clothes, shoes, school supplies.
Description of actions undertaken The distribution of the gifts sent by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation from Poland lasted from January to December 2004. The shipment included, among other things: heaters, clothes, shoes, and school supplies. Institutions cooperating with the Polish Humanitarian Organisation, such as the Municipal Hospital in Kabul, the Allahudin orphanage, ASCHIANA were given the gifts first. Furthermore, some of the gifts were shipped to Gardez in the Paktia province where, in cooperation with UNHCR, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation distributed clothes, shoes and school supplies in camps for the internally displaced.
Results The Municipal Hospital, the Allahudin orphanage and the centre for street children ASCHIANA in Kabul and camps for the internally displaced people (IDP’s) in Gardez (Paktia province) received gifts collected in Poland by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation (heaters, clothes, shoes, and school supplies).
Partners • Municipal Hospital in Kabul • Allahudin orphanage
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Sources of financing
Donor’s name Subsidy Spent
USD PLN USD PLN
EMBASSY OF 81 949.00 44 901.50 JAPAN/SR1
SDC/ZM3 12 200.00 5 910.84
UNESCO/PZ1 19 950.00 26 744.92
MSZ/SR3 124 630.00 122 705.06
MSZ/SR4 181 000.00 181 813.46
UNESCO/ZMP1 5 000.00 5 511.95
UNESCO/ZM1 2 200.00 3 685.33
NOVIB/KAI 29 634.00
NOVIB/ZM2 32 969.46
UNESCO 2 115.10
TOTAL 150 933.00 305 630.00 119 724.00 306 633.62
2.2. Mission in Chechnya
The Chechen mission of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation has been continued since 2000. The water supply programme for the residents of Grozny was started in October 2000 and the sanitation programme in December 2001.
Needs Despite of progressing stabilisation, the water supply and sewage system in Grozny still remains unrebuilt after the war. Neither the water purification (there was a chlorination station at each of the four water intakes) nor the sewage treatment plant has been rebuilt. Neither the water mains nor the sewage system has been rebuilt. Polluted water from the intakes flowing through leaking mains gets through to underground water and gets mixed with the sewage sipping from leaking sewage mains.
The need for drinking as well as technical water is increasing because as the living conditions are becoming more stable, the water consumption per household increases, for instance, it is used in construction, cleaning, washing. As the population increases, so does the demand for water on one hand and the production of sewage on the other hand. Schools and medical centres are being rebuilt. But reconstruction of buildings does not mean that water mains and sewage systems are being rebuilt as well. Toilets in majority of public buildings are out of order.
As the population increases, so does the volume of garbage and the problem with comprehensive disposal thereof.
The populations of other Chechen cities are also growing. The problem of water supply, even technical water, sewage or garbage disposal is the same there. All this causes that the risk of infection is not diminishing.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Objective Improvement of the water and sanitary conditions in Grozny and other Chechen cities. 1) Supplying the users of educational and health care facilities with drinking and technical water. 2) Supplying the private users with drinking water. 3) Continuation of removal of garbage and faecal matter from educational and health care facilities as part of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation’s system. 4) Providing the users of public buildings with access to sanitary facilities. 5) building of public awareness of rational consumption of water (why and how water should be saved) and respect for public property 6) stimulation of the volunteer work.
Description of actions undertaken 1) The water programme was carried out in Grozny and included the following measures: a) production of drinking water (purification of technical water taken from the water main) b) installation of drinking water tanks (the so-called pillows) around the city c) distribution of water using tanker cars to the above tanks d) examination of the quality of the water at every stage of production and distribution e) distribution of canisters to the consumers to assure purity of water at every stage f) cooperation with public television and local press as instruments of informing the public on how water should be used and how public property should be respected g) cooperation with the volunteers responsible for the equipment in the private sector
2) Measures undertaken as part of the sanitary portion of the programme: a) installation of garbage containers in buildings covered under the garbage removal system b) systematised removal of garbage and faecal matter from educational and health care facilities c) a one-time garbage removal action from facilities not covered under the system (not having containers) d) construction of toilets at those facilities e) systematic emptying of toilets f) construction of garbage incineration facilities in hospitals g) installation of hand pumps for technical water h) instructing teachers about hygiene and water consumption
Results 1) An average volume of 514 thousand litres of drinking water was delivered each day. 2) 240 water distribution points were established by installing new tanks (pillows) a) 58 at educational institutions, b) 32 at health care facilities, c) 137 for the private sector, d) 6 so-called PWRs – temporary stay centres for the internal refugees who came back but do not have their own homes e) 7 other (NGO, state administration) 3) 34 hand-operated pumps to pump technical water at hospitals and schools have been installed 4) 90 water tests are performed each month 5) 10 786 drinking water canisters have been distributed in areas where tanks have been installed 6) 85 thousand users of the water programme have been achieved 7) In the last stage of the project 89 m3 of garbage were removed each day 8) 2 644 m3 of garbage have been removed during the one-time cleanup action at facilities not covered under the system 9) 261 garbage containers were installed at educational and health care facilities 10) 400 cleaning sets and 560 garbage bins have been distributed to these facilities 11) 86 new toilets have been built, half of them outside of Grozny (Gudermes and Schali) 12) 10 m3 of faecal matter on average was being removed each day. 13) 3 hospital refuse incineration plants have been built in hospitals in Achoy-Marten, Old Ataga and Schali 14) 77 thousand recipients of the sanitation programme have been achieved
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
15) 3 thousand surveys concerning the water and sanitation conditions have been conducted altogether among the recipients 16) Equipment used in the programme a) 4 purification units (filters) b) 16 tanker cars c) 3 dump trucks d) 1 waste removal vehicle
17) Training courses a) 92 teachers have been trained on hygiene and economic consumption of drinking water so that they can teach children in their schools b) 6 operators of the incineration plants have been trained on how to sort and incinerate waste c) 41 new volunteers responsible for the tanks (pillows) out in the field have been trained
3) Two campaigns for children have been carried out as part of the Chechen mission: a) aid for the Christian Orphanage "Rodnaja Semja" – PLN 14 739.31 (material aid and financing of medical treatment of children) b) aid for the School for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired in Grozny – PLN 45 000
Sources of financing UNICEF – PLN 1 819 899.45 ECHO – PLN 1 229 520.20 CCFD – PLN 121 949.50 Foundation Education for Democracy – PLN 45 000
The total cost of all projects in 2004 was PLN 3 583 756.46
Until April 2004 inclusive, the programme was run as a single, joint water and sanitary project financed by UNICEF. Starting on May 1 the water portion of the programme was run as a separate project financed by UNICEF, and the sanitary portion was financed by ECHO and the French CCFD. As for UNICEF and CCFD, this was a continuation of cooperation from previous years, and as for ECHO, this was the first joint project.
Partners Material support (equipment and spare parts) – UNHCR, ICRC Local partners – Municipal Office of Grozny, Ministry of Communal Services, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Grozny Water Works Cooperation has been commenced with consultants in Poland - the Warsaw University of Technology – to find specialist support for the project.
Volunteers There are 137 local volunteers (responsible for the tanks in the private sector in Grozny) and 7 volunteers in the Warsaw office.
2.3. Mission in Iraq
The Polish Humanitarian Organisation opened a permanent mission in Iraq in July 2003. The mission operated till April 2004 when for security reasons the Polish Humanitarian Organisation evacuated the Polish personnel from Iraq. However, the relief efforts were and still are continued and are supervised by the local coordinator.
Needs Education Iraq had one of the best education systems in the Arab world in the early 80s. After 3 wars and 13 years of sanctions, the quality of the Iraqi education system deteriorated significantly, a proof of which is the fact that 40% of the population is illiterate. This bad situation of the education system causes
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
40% of kids to leave the school at the elementary school level. According to the reports by UN and the World Bank, 80% of 13 thousand Iraqi schools should be renovated. Seven hundred schools must be completely reconstructed. During the last conflict 3 thousand schools have been turned into army barracks, lots of them have been plundered and devastated. The local Youth and Sports Centres are also in a very bad shape – one of very few places where kids could safely spend their free time and practice their hobbies. Broken electrical installations, lack of water and sanitary installations, completely destroyed equipment and school supplies are a frequent picture observed by the employees of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. The learning conditions of the kids living in rural areas are tragic. In 27 villages in the Babil province lessons are frequently held in small mud shanties without electricity and sanitary installations, the roofs of which are frequently made of palm leaves and the floor made of compacted soil. The children learned in small, dark rooms where the temperature reached 40 oC during the summer or dropped to below 15oC on cooler days.
The water and sanitary system Until the early 90s the drinking water distribution system in Iraq was able to satisfy the needs of 75% of the rural population. After 1991 its effectiveness deteriorated significantly, mainly due to mismanagement, economic sanctions and general crisis. The number of residents of rural areas having access to drinking water decreased in 2000 to approx. 46% while the volume of drinking water per capita dropped by 50%. This limitation of access to drinking water led to a deterioration of the sanitary conditions. According to UNICEF, nearly 25% of deaths among the Iraqi population is caused by diseases related to improper sanitary conditions and insufficient access to purified drinking water. Bad sanitary conditions led to a dramatic increase in the number of deaths among the infants (from 47 deaths per 1 000 births between 1984 and 1989 to 108 deaths per 1 000 births between 1994 and 1999) and children up to the age of 5 (from 56 deaths per 1 000 births between 1984 and 1989 to 131 deaths per 1 000 births between 1994 and 1999).
Objectives 1) Revitalisation of elementary and secondary education 2) Improvement of the water and sanitary conditions in rural areas
Activities undertaken Renovation and reconstruction of the school buildings in the Wassit province. The project commenced in November 2003 was completed in February where two school buildings in the Wassit province were reopened. The work included the renovation of brick buildings (replacement of the roof, windows, doors, painting) and construction of new brick buildings to replace the shanties.
Renovation and furnishing of Youth Centres The renovation of seven Youth Centres located in the Babil province, commenced in November of last year, was completed in March. The renovation included: replacement of windows and doors, painting of the walls, replacement and repair of the water, sanitary and electrical installations. The Centres have been equipped with computer, art, ceramics, music rooms, libraries and sports equipment.
Renovation and furnishing of Sport Clubs The sport clubs in the Babil province have also undergone a comprehensive renovation. Apart from the standard renovation work (replacement of the electrical installations, repair of the water and sewage systems, replacement/repair of doors and windows, improvement of the ventilation system), the Polish Humanitarian Organisation built soccer, volleyball and basketball fields as well as a boxing ring. The project lasted from March to May 2004.
Construction of 8 elementary schools A project which included the construction of school buildings in eight villages of the Babil province was commenced in March. Five thousand children from eight villages in the Babil province who previously took lessons in small shanties now were able to attend schools built from brick. This project was completed in June 2004
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Renovation of 6 Water Purification Stations The first water and sanitation project run by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in Iraq was completed in March 2004. It covered 6 Water Purification Stations in the villages of the Babil province. Force and suction pumps were repaired or replaced (depending on their condition), each unit was equipped with a power generator, filters were cleaned, chlorine feeders were replaced. Also, each unit was fenced off and equipped with a storage room. Roofs have been erected over the tanks and filters.
Purchase and installation of new components at 6 Water Purification Stations The water project commenced by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in November 2004 is a continuation of the efforts. It included the renovation of 6 Water Purification Stations in the villages of the Babil province. New station components (pumps, water purification systems, control panels, generator) were purchased by the end of 2004 and installed in January 2005.
Results 1) 1 elementary school built and 1 school renovated and enlarged in the villages of the Wassit province 2) 8 elementary schools built in the villages of the Babil province, 3) 7 youth centres in the Babil province renovated and furnished 4) 3 sport clubs in the Babil province renovated and furnished 5) 6 Water Purification stations renovated in the Babil province 6) New components purchased and installed at 6 Water Purification Stations 7) The projects in the education sector covered over 5 000 children and 250 teachers 8) Both projects in the water and sanitation sector guaranteed water for 36 500 residents of various villages
Partners • the Water Works Department, the Education Department, the Youth and Sports Department of the Babil province - their role was to prepare the needs and to control the work being done by the contractors, to take receipt of the constructed or renovated buildings, to protect the construction sites • Directors and employees of the schools, youth centres and sport clubs helped with the plans concerning the necessary work and supervised the work of the contractors • Local engineering and construction companies - direct project contractors
Sources of financing
Subsidies - Civil Military Cooperation of Multinational Division (CIMIC MND) contributed an equivalent of 55 056 EUR to renovate and rebuild schools in the Wassit province. - Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), contributed an equivalent of 675 378 EUR to build 8 schools in the Babil province and an equivalent of 168 059 EUR to renovate the sport clubs - Development Alternatives Int (DAI) contributed an equivalent of 225 432 EUR to renovate the Youth Centres and an equivalent of 72 345 EUR to renovate the Water Purification Stations - The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributed an equivalent of 47 900 EUR to replace the components at the Water Purification Stations
The financial contribution of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in the Iraqi projects in 2004 - 12 208 EUR
Volunteers One volunteer who developed and coordinated one of the projects helped with the efforts in Iraq.
2.4. Assistance to the victims of the terrorist attack on school in Beslan in Northern Osetia (the Russian Federation)
This was an intervention in a crisis situation. The efforts were undertaken on September 6, 2004 and were continued until the end of 2004 and in 2005.
The need During the September 1 terrorist attack on School no. 1 in Beslan there were presumably 1 200 people at the school, adults and children. The beginning of the school year is a big event for children and adults alike. Pupils aged between 6 and 17 and their younger siblings participated in the opening ceremonies: young children and infants carried by mothers as well as parents, grandparents and teachers. The terrorists kept the hostages for over two days without food or water. They did not make any demands,
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004 only fuelling the feeling of fear and disorientation. They did not allow anyone to use toilets after 24 hours. They placed explosives over the heads of the hostages and threatened to set them off in case of any resistance.
An uncoordinated attempt to free the hostages was made 52 hours later. Special task force as well as armed civilians, relatives of the hostages, participated in the assault. It is not sure whether the information that has been released, including the number of victims, is true. According to the Beslan Commission, 330 died there, mainly children. Approx. 500 people were injured, many people were shocked or collapsed due to dehydration.
Hospitals in Northern Osetia - Alania, neglected and underfunded, were not able to accept so many injured people at the same time. There were insufficient quantities of medical supplies, equipment, and even sheets and clothes for the personnel.
Objective The objective of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation was to provide appropriate medical and psychological care for the surviving victims of this tragedy. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation decided to supply the hospitals where the injured people were hospitalised with drugs and medical equipment needed to treat the casualties.
To provide psychological rehabilitation, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation decided to organise (adapt and equip the rooms, train the staff) a psychotherapeutic centre where the afflicted families could find help.
Another objective of the campaign was to educate the youth in Poland – i.e. to invoke a feeling of solidarity and willingness to help, which was expressed by a very good participation of the schools in the campaign.
Description of actions undertaken Provision of appropriate medical care for the victims was carried out by supplying the hospitals and individuals with the necessary medical equipment and supplies.
Air transport On September 11, 2004, as part of the first stage of the relief efforts, an air transport was sent to the medical centres at which the persons injured during the assault were hospitalised. Multi-function beds with accessories, medical dressings, surgical instruments and diagnostic equipment. The gifts were sent to the hospitals in Beslan, Vladikavkaz and Mozdok.
Temporary mission in Beslan A Polish Humanitarian Organisation volunteer went to Vladikavkaz, 15 km from Beslan, to organise the relief efforts there. He oversaw the distribution of the gifts, took photographs for the record, and marked the equipment supplied by the Foundation. He then verified the justness of the needs reported by the hospitals.
To coordinate the mass inflow of international relief, the authorities of Northern Osetia - Alania established a Beslan Rebirth Foundation which was the only institution having a foreign currency account and acted as an intermediary in transferring the funds to the hospitals, the delegate of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation had to control the flow of funds sent to that account from Poland, the exchange of these money and had to make sure that the money is sent to the hospitals and had to oversee the purchases made by the hospitals.
Information about the needs of individual persons was collected through local surveyors who conducted surveys among the afflicted families. Children and adults needing specialised medical examinations and surgeries as well as simple material assistance were named. The purchases and distribution were performed on site.
The monitoring of the needs and the distribution of the gifts were performed using the local Polish community. The local Polish community also acted as an intermediary in passing on Christmas letters and cards from the kids in Poland through the teachers of the school in Beslan.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
The employees of the permanent mission of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in the neighbouring Ingushetia providing relief to Chechnya cooperated with the Ministry of Health of Northern Osetia-Alania and other international organisations on organising a psychotherapeutic rehabilitation centre right from the beginning. Several sites have been looked at and an initial approval of the authorities has been obtained.
Results 5 hospitals in Northern Osetia - Alania received help under the Beslan campaign: 1) Right Bank Self-governing District Clinical Hospital in Beslan 2) Emergency Clinical Hospital in Vladikavkaz 3) Republican Clinical Hospital in Vladikavkaz 4) Republican Children’s Hospital in Vladikavkaz 5) Republican Hospital in Mozdok
Drugs, disposable materials, dressing materials, ECG monitors, cardio monitors, sheets and surgical uniforms as well as hospital furniture have been donated.
The value of the aid provided to the hospitals was PLN 346 436.00. This amount includes the air shipping costs, the purchases made on site and funds transferred from Poland.
60 individual persons also received help. Guided by the information presented in the surveys, the Polish Humanitarian Organisation financed the purchase of drugs and anti- depressants, tranquilisers, solutions accelerating the wound and burn healing processes, vitamin and mineral supplements. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation financed the hospitalisation of 2 persons in Moscow, an eye surgery for 1 person and the purchase of hearing aids for 12 persons. The blast caused many people to have hearing problems. Diagnosis of this type of injuries many take even six months from the moment they occurred. It has not been ruled out that there will still be other people that will need help. Specialised treatment, the purchase of blood pressure monitors, anti-bedsore mattresses and eyeglasses has been financed in several cases. Warm clothes, bedclothes and simple household appliances have been purchased for several people.
Very few Poles that live there also received assistance.
Unfortunately, the project to organise the psychotherapeutic rehabilitation centre failed. The official reason is the lack of approval by the authorities of North Osetia - Alania. There are justified grounds to believe that political issues, the fear of finding out the truth which is so important in such therapies, played a major role. In exchange proposals were made to rebuild the sport or pioneer centres, but these were not approved by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation since they do not relate directly to the victims of this tragedy.
Sources of financing Europol Gaz SA Transit Gas Pipeline System – PLN 180 000 Public fundraising – PLN 150 504.24 Foundation Education for Democracy – PLN 55 000 Gruner+Jahr Polska Sp. z o.o. – PLN 25 000 Municipal Office of the city of Częstochowa – PLN 25 000 Petrobaltic – PLN 20 000
Individual aid: PLN 40181,31. Cost of the Beslan campaign until the end of 2004 – PLN 438 328.97
Partners • Ministry of National Defence – airplane to carry the gifts • Aesculap Chifa – material gifts • Local partners – Beslan Rebirth Foundation, Ministry of Health of Northern Osetia - Alania
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
2.5. Relief offered by the local communities in the Atok province in Cameroon
The relief programme was run from November 16, 2004 to December 31, 2004 by the local Catholic Marian Priests mission
The need The Catholic Mission in the Atok province in Cameroon takes care of the sick and poorest local populations in the region. The financial resources are not huge and the Polish Humanitarian Organisation was able to obtain funds from the subsidies provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Objective The projects pertained to the relief for the most needy persons in the regions where the missions have their centres. The aim of these projects was to help those needing care, forlorn youth and handicapped persons. The projects were supposed to meet the most urgent needs of the local community.
Description of actions undertaken Help offered to sick and handicapped persons at the Atok mission and at six health centres of the Doume Abong Mbang Diocese run by the Polish Mission Nuns. Offering the basic help to sick and handicapped persons (providing the basic medical care) is one of the objectives of the mission in Atok. Over a hundred people needing help were found after a thorough inspection of the villages for which the mission is responsible. Medical assistance and accompaniment have been provided to several persons suffering from AIDS. The funds have been raised by animation of various benefactors and persons cooperating with the mission. There are eleven crippled persons among the persons needing immediate assistance. Thanks to the project and the funds provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was possible to provide wheelchairs for the handicapped persons. Funds under the same project made it possible to equip six health care centres in the Doume Abong Mbang Diocese run by the Polish nuns. The nuns were able to buy drugs and small medical equipment for these centres.
A project to create a social formation and vocational centre at the Atok mission and an elementary school in Sombou The aim of the first project was to increase the social awareness among the forlorn youth. Education is extremely important for the youth because their future, work and earnings depend on it. The aim of the project is not only to run schools but to provide vocational courses.
For this purpose the mission in Atok organised a Formation Centre. The first pavilion has already been built. A group of young boys has been organised, which, formed by the missionaries, will get involved in various small initiatives. Such as the construction of chapels, classrooms, meeting rooms, renovation of the existing facilities and production of small furniture (tables, benches, chairs, etc.)
Similarly, several girls have been organised as leaders, which were sent to take courses with the nuns running life adaptation courses where they were able to learn to sew and cook. And the basic hygiene. After completing the courses the girls will go back to the mission in Atok and will serve others.
Under the same project assistance was provided to the teachers and pupils of the elementary school in Sombou for which the mission in Atok is responsible. This school is located the farthest from the mission and the centre in a tropical forest and has been lacking the basic books and school supplies which have been bought thanks to the subsidy.
The youths have been provided with the basic books and tools like: sewing machines, irons, woodworking tools and construction tools (wheel-barrows, trowels, mason’s levels, saws, carpenter knives, tile cutters), as well as protective clothing (safety helmets, gloves). This is an investment into young people which gives them greater autonomy and availability. Moreover, they learn how to get involved, be responsible and professional.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Support for the Health Centre in Dimako One of the projects was to support the newly opened health care centre in Dimako. It made it possible to buy the necessary drugs for the centre which accepts approximately 30 to 40 patients each day, which means that the stock is depleted very quickly. This makes it possible to treat the most frequent diseases at the centre such as malaria, pneumonia, improper nourishment, venereal diseases, AIDS, dermatitis and other tropical diseases and to help in emergency cases, with birth giving and to increase awareness of hygiene.
This project has been treated separately since the Health Care Centre run by the Carmelite nuns in Dimako is new. The nuns started work in 2004 and had a hard time renovating the facility, furnishing the centre with equipment and drugs. That is why the relief provided to them by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation allowed the people to find work and earn a living.
Results 1) Under the project Atok 2 the handicapped persons received wheelchairs which allowed them to move around on their own. 2) Under the Atok 1 project it was possible to get boys and girls to learn specific trades, some of them were equipped with tools that allowed them to find jobs. 3) Under the Dimako project the demand for drugs has been satisfied for a long time, which will make it possible to maintain a good medical condition of the local community.
Sources of financing Subsidies from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs totalling: PLN 70 569.00 Polish Humanitarian Organisation’s own contribution totalling: PLN 51 833.16
Partners It was possible to complete the project thanks to the local partner, i.e. the Catholic Mission in the Atok province in Cameroon. They have a very good picture of the needs of the local community, are constantly in touch with the community which trusts them.
2.6. Relief provided to the refugees at the Darfur camp
On November 16, 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation signed a contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finance the relief efforts for the refugees at the Darfur camp and received a subsidy of PLN 196 000.
The need The conflict in Darfur broke out at the beginning of 2003 when the residents of this western part of Sudan wanted to have rights similar to those which Khartoum gave to the southern part of the country under a peace treaty. The peace treaty ending a 50-year war between the Arab and Muslim North and the black South was finally signed in January. Khartoum gave in to the South but did not intend to give in to the West. In response to the Darfur guerrilla uprising, the government mobilised Arab militants who quashed the rebellion with fire and swords and exterminated entire African villages. It is estimated that over 70 thousand people lost their lives in Darfur and million and a half became refugees. The Arab militants destroyed majority of the black villages. The number of refugees at Darfur is increasing each day.
The Polish Humanitarian Organisation believes that Poland cannot remain indifferent to the tragedy, about which the Poles, unfortunately, know very little. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation has been placing information on www.pomagamy.pl for two years now.
Objective The objective of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation was to provide relief to the refugees staying at the Zam Zam camp in Al Fasher in Darfur.
Description of actions undertaken A plane with tents and medical equipment took off on December 28, 2004. The shipping costs were covered by the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The plane landed at Al Fasher from where the Polish Humanitarian Organisation transported the gifts by trucks to the Zam Zam
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004 camp run by the local SUDO. The employees of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation also went to the camps outside of Khartoum where some refugees have been living there for over 20 years.
Results The Polish Humanitarian Organisation provided relief to approx. 20 thousand people living in the Zam Zam camp. The medical services improved.
The commencement of the relief programme and convincing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finance it was a success in itself. It was not possible to publicise these relief efforts in the media because of the Tsunami disaster. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation plans to go back to Sudan in the middle of next year.
Sources of financing Subsidy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs totalling PLN 196 000 Fundraising permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration no. dated Raised PLN 1 050 Value of contributions deposited on the account: PLN 33 601 Total raised: PLN 320 551 Total cost of the campaign: PLN 197 515.20
Partners The Polish Humanitarian Organisation cooperates with the local SUDO (Sudan Social Development Organization). This organisation was established in April 2001 by 33 intellectuals (doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers), who are aware of the fact that the people who are now refugees "paid for" their education and social position and decided to do something about it. They got involved in the human rights issues, the so-called peace building, i.e. softening conflicts between different ethnic groups and in specific relief efforts to help the refugees in Darfur as well as Khartoum. SUDO decided about the type of help to be provided by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation and took care of the logistics on site.
2.7. Relief for the tsunami victims in Asia
On November 30, 2004 the Polish Humanitarian Organisation signed a contract with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to finance the relief efforts for the tsunami victims in Sri Lanka and received a subsidy of PLN 180 000. The relief efforts are being continued in 2005.
The need The tsunami was one of the largest natural catastrophes in recent years and affected a very large number of people. The aid had to be provided as soon as possible.
Objective The objective of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation was to supply drugs and disposable medical instruments and water purification tablets to Sri Lanka.
Description of actions undertaken A plane with drugs and disposable medical instruments and water purification tablets took off on December 30, 2004. The shipping costs were covered by the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The plane landed in Colombo and Indonesia.
Results The aid was given to CNO.
Sources of financing Subsidy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs totalling PLN 180 000
Partners The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CNO
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
3. Aid to persons afflicted with structural poverty
3.1. The Puppet Programme (relief provided to the victims of structural poverty in Poland).
The Puppet Programme involves financing of the food aid at schools. Numerous campaigns supporting the Puppet Programme were run in 2004, the aim of which was to disseminate the idea: "Every child must eat every day" and raising funds to finance food aid at schools.
The Polish Humanitarian Organisation started the food aid campaign in 1996 at schools in the Bieszczady region. The name Puppet Campaign was adopted in 1998 and the campaign is run every year.
The need The results of the surveys conducted by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in 2004 show that 30% of Polish pupils attending elementary and junior high schools required to be provided with free extra ood during the school year.
The food aid campaign was initially supposed to involve financing meals for the pupils coming from families whose income exceeds certain criteria that make it possible to obtain a subsidy under the state social relief funds and yet these parents are unable to afford meals. The social relief centres do not have sufficient funds to support even the persons entitled to this aid and that is why the Foundation made a decision to support these children who are not receiving any aid from the government, although they are entitled to such aid under the Polish laws.
Objectives The objective of the campaign is to cover as many schools and children as possible under the programme thanks to the money raised by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. Only pupils can benefit under this programme. Other objectives: 1) commencing cooperation with schools and day care centres to transform them into local activity centres. It is possible to achieve this effect by having the institutions participate in the campaigns organised by the Foundation; 2) diagnosis of the need for food aid at elementary and junior high schools in Poland;
Description of actions undertaken 3) The feeding campaign in 2004 4) Sociological survey on the food aid for school children in Poland 5) 2nd Conference on the "Problem of undernourishment of children in Poland. Proposed solutions" 6) Puppet Day 7) Christmas Puppet Table 8) Summer Holidays (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Pomorskie Office in Toruń and in the report of the Repatriation Division of the Warsaw Office) 9) Umilisko u Kaszczorka (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Pomorskie Office in Toruń) 10) Community and therapeutic centre (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Regional Office in Łódź) 11) Social Information Office (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Pomorskie Office in Toruń) 12) Scholarship Fund (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Pomorskie Office in Toruń) 13) Picnic with the Polish Humanitarian Organisation (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Pomorskie Office in Toruń and Łódź) 14) Children’s Christmas Holidays (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Pomorskie Office in Toruń) 15) Training for the Local Leaders (the efforts made under this project are described in the report of the Pomorskie Office in Toruń)
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
3.2. Food aid in 2004
Sources of financing Children in all voivodships were covered under the Puppet food aid programme in 2004.
8 326 children at 173 schools were covered under the food aid programme between January and June 2004 and the cost of the project was PLN 1 497 005.39 2 158 children at 67 schools were covered under the food aid programme between September and December 2004 and the cost of the project was PLN 327 895.50
The average price of a meal in the 2003/2004 school year was PLN 2.08. The average price of a meal in the 1st semester of the 2004/2005 school year was PLN 2.35. PLN 1 693 644.85 in total were spent on the food aid programme in the 2004 calendar year.
PLN 1 824 900.89 were spent on the food aid programme. The reconciliation of the costs of the food aid programme in the 2003/2004 school year shows that the schools actually spent PLN 1 320 894.39 between January and June 2004. Money left over was returned to the Foundation’s account in accordance with the agreements.
Subsidising rules The Polish Humanitarian Organisation subsidised the food aid programme as part of a contest, on the basis of an assessment of the applications by a commission which were filed by the interested institutions. Schools as well as community centres were entitled to apply for the food subsidies. The application form has been prepared by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation and is available for download from the website: www.pah.org.pl or can be faxed or e-mailed at the school’s request.
The applications were collected and reviewed twice in 2004. On 16.02.2004 the commission comprised of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation employees reviewed 139 requests for food aid in the 2nd semester of the 2003/2004 school year. Funds to finance meals for 5 811 children from 114 institutions in 16 voivodships have been allotted.
On 19.08.2004 the commission allotted funds for the food aid programme for the 2004/2005 school year. 586 applications were reviewed. Funds to subsidise meals for 2 158 from 67 institutions for the entire 2004/2005 were distributed.
Spending control The Polish Humanitarian Organisation made a reservation in the agreements signed with schools that it can check how this money is spent. Inspections were carried out at randomly chosen institutions. In 2004 the Foundation’s employees carried out inspections at 20 institutions in the following voivodships: kujawsko-pomorskie, lubuskie, pomorskie, warmińsko-mazurskie and wielkopolskie.
Schools and community centres inspected in May and June of 2004 No. institution’s name voivodship 1. Public Junior High School in Solec Kujawski kujawsko-pomorskie 1st T. Kościuszko Infantry Division Elementary School no. 1 in 2. kujawsko-pomorskie Solec Kujawski 3. Elementary School no. 4 in Solec Kujawski kujawsko-pomorskie 4. Elementary School in Jenin lubuskie 5. Elementary School in Jeniniec lubuskie 6. Elementary School in Lubczyn lubuskie 7. Special School Complex in Zielona Góra lubuskie 8. Junior High School in Goręczyn pomorskie 9. Public Elementary School in Bytonia pomorskie 10. John Paul II Elementary School in Brusy pomorskie 11. Elementary School in Objazd pomorskie 12. Rural Community Centre in Mielno pomorskie 13. School and Pre-school Complex in Marzęcin pomorskie 14. Special Educational and Reform Centre in Gołdapia warmińsko-mazurskie 15. Elementary School in Jabłońskie warmińsko-mazurskie 16. Elementary School in Juchnajcie warmińsko-mazurskie 17. Educational Institutions Complex in Banie Mazurskie warmińsko-mazurskie 18. Elementary School in Gizałki wielkopolskie 19. Elementary School in Tomice wielkopolskie 20. School Complex in Nekla wielkopolskie
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Food aid during summer holidays The Puppet Commission met on June 21, 2004 and reviewed 11 applications for the food aid during summer holidays. The applicants were obliged to attach information to the applications on how the summer holidays would be spent, along with the programme and full budget. The commission selected 8 institutions which received the money for the food aid during the summer holidays totalling: PLN 26. 065.
Courses for the local leaders on how to raise funds for local projects. Due to the fact that in recent years the Polish Humanitarian Organisation received hardly any requests for food aid to feed the children in the podlaskie and śląskie voivodships, it has been decided that courses will be held for the local leaders and teachers on how to raise funds for the food aid and on how to finance the meals under the Puppet Programme. Overall 30 people participated in both courses. The courses in the podlaskie voivodships were held on April 29 and 30, 2004 and in the śląskie voivodship on June 3 and 4, 2004. The courses were financed as part of a subsidy from JP Morgan Chase.
The most important effect of this was an increase in the number and quality of the applications filed in those voivodships, which meant that a higher number of children were covered under the food aid programme. For instance, in the 2003/2004 school year the Foundation financed 16 086 meals a year while in the 2004/2005 school year it financed nearly 2 000 meals more, i.e. 17 952 meals.
3.3. The Polish Hunger Site and the Promotion of the Programme
On February 19, 2001 a website www.pajacyk.pl was created for the needs of the Puppet Campaign, the aim of which is to raise funds and to inform about the Puppet Campaign. The Polish Humanitarian Organisation placed the banners of the Puppet donors on the Polish Hunger Site. In 2004 the donors included: WBK, Volkswagen Bank, Volkswagen Leasing, Volkswagen Insurance Service, which were thanked in this way for their substantial support. The Association of Friends of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation was one of the largest donors thanks to the sale of the advertising banner packages on http://www.pajacyk.pl/index_banery.php3.The Puppet site is visited by approx. 30 thousand people each day. 34 076 438 Internet users clicked on the Puppet’s tummy since the first click in February 2001 until 31.12.2004. A total of PLN 233 120.08 was booked on the Polish Humanitarian Organisation’s account in 2004 with the assistance of PSG. A social campaign concerning the Puppet Campaign was held in the press in August and September 2004. The "Puppet Calendar" campaign was carried out to make the people aware of the existence of the Puppet programme, to build loyalty among the donors and to encourage them to finance the campaign on a regular basis. It was possible to run the campaign thanks to the cooperation with Saatchi & Saatchi and the Zenithmedia Media House.
3.4. Sociological survey on the food aid for school children in Poland
One of the decisions of the Working Group established as a result of the Conference on the "Problem of undernourishment of children in Poland. Facts and challenges" (Warsaw, April 3-4, 2003), was a postulate to perform an in-depth analysis of the problem of undernourishment of children in Poland and to estimate the number of school-aged children requiring extra meals during the school year.
This survey was performed on a sample of 5 906 schools between 31.05.04 and 01.09.04. Detailed figures and percentages concerning the problem of undernourishment at the national, voivodship and sub-regional levels were obtained, taking into account the following variables: type of school, population, social and economic situation of the region, sources of meal financing, institutions not providing free food aid and institutions providing only free food aid. The data collected made it possible to construct a Map of undernourished pupils in Poland, broken down by voivodships.
The results show that: 31.1 percent of all pupils eat meals at school; 18.7 percent of all pupils eat free meals at school; 10.3 percent of all pupils, 26 pupils on average in each school, do not eat meals at school although they should according to the school counsellors; 54.9 percent of schools, 6.9 percent of private persons, 13.4 percent of parishes, 7.8 percent of non- governmental organisations take advantage of the social aid offered by self-governments and 7.1 percent of schools take advantage of other sources; The report is available on the Foundation’s website. http://www.pah.org.pl/pah/download/raport_www.pdf
The main sponsor of the survey was Danone which donated PLN 32 100 to be used exclusively for the purpose of conducting the survey by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
3.5. 2nd Conference on the "Problem of undernourishment of children in Poland. Proposed solutions"
The Conference was held in Warsaw on September 1-2, 2004 and was a continuation of last year’s meeting held under the slogan "Problem of undernourishment of children in Poland. Facts and challenges". A press conference with the premier Izabela Jaruga-Nawacka, Janina Ochojska (the Polish Humanitarian Organisation), Przemysław Pohrybieniuk (Danone), father Adam Dereń (Caritas Poland), Marek Borowski (Federation of Food Banks) and experts Prof. Wielisława Warzywoda – Kruszyńska and Dorota Wiśniewska (the Polish Humanitarian Organisation) was held on the first day. Nearly one hundred representatives of social relief organisations debated for two days on how to solve the problem of undernourishment of children in Poland. Representatives of the government (Ministry of Social Policy, Ministry of National Education and Sports), self-governments and education also voiced their opinions. The results of the research on the scale of the problem of undernourishment of children in Poland that the Polish Humanitarian Organisation conducted during the 2003/2004 school year were presented during the meeting. The conference was organised in cooperation with Danone which donated PLN 68 300.00 for this purpose.
3.6. Christmas Puppet Table
The Christmas Puppet Table Campaign was held for the third time in Cracow (2002, 2003, 2004) and for the first time in Warsaw, Toruń and Łódź.
Objectives 1) raise funds for the food aid as part of the Puppet programme 2) create a positive image around the Puppet programme 3) create awareness of the need to feed the children in difficult situation.
The involvement of the restaurant owners was also important - a merger of the idea to raise funds to feed the children under the Puppet programme with the companies earning income on the sale of meals, running restaurants, pubs and cafes. The assumption of the Christmas Puppet Table was to transfer the success of the two editions of the programme in Cracow (2002 and 2003) to the cities in which the Polish Humanitarian Organisation runs its regional offices. Support of the employees and volunteers in those cities guaranteed good coordination of the campaign. Based on the Cracow experience (the number of outlets increased by 30% each year and so did the proceeds), it was assumed that approx. 50% of the outlets that received the invitations will join the campaign, which was confirmed by the results of the campaign. 145 food outlets participating in the campaign agreed to contribute 1/10th of sales made on December 5. Each outlet received posters to be put up, informing customers about the campaign. The proceeds made in 2004 under this campaign were PLN 15 618.81. The campaign will be summed up in January 2005.
3.7. Puppet Day
The Puppet Day is a means of becoming acquainted with the "Puppet" and the idea of feeding the school children during free time of the residents of the cities where the Foundation’s offices are located. In 2004 the Puppet Day was held on September 19.
Objectives 1) fundraising 2) inviting the children and adults to participate in the Puppet Day celebrations and getting acquainted with the Puppet programme 3) showing the celebrations in the media as a pretext for a debate on food aid at schools and on ways to solve the problem of structural poverty The main partner and sponsor was the Association of Friends of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. During the Puppet Day held in four cities: Warsaw, Cracow, Łódź and Toruń, family picnics, happenings, concerts, cabarets, kids’ contests and other attractions (e.g. fire truck show) were organised. The culmination point in every city was the erection of a large cardboard Puppet and creation of a very long paper chain by the children, composed of small colourful puppets. During this event funds were raised in Warsaw, Toruń, Łódź and Cracow under Decision no. 99/2004 on public fundraising issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, in result of which PLN 9 441.81 were raised.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Results 1) In the 2003/2004 school year the Polish Humanitarian Organisation provided food aid to 8 326 pupils, and to 2 158 pupils in the first semester of next year. 2) The total amount of money spent on food aid was PLN 1 824 900.89. 3) Schools in all voivodships took advantage of the food aid in 2004 (only in 11 voivodships in 2003). The interest of the schools in the Puppet programme in other voivodships surely ensues from the deteriorating financial condition of schools and managing bodies and is the result of the courses for 39 local leaders on raising funds for the food aid provided by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation’s employees in the śląskie and podlaskie voivodships. 4) It was possible to estimate for the first time the number of children in Poland needing to be offered extra meals (30 % of all pupils in elementary and junior high schools). The survey was conducted for the first time by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. 5) The conference on the problem of undernourishment of children in Poland was organised for the second time and was attended by the representatives of the educational and government institutions and people working with hungry kids on a daily basis. The conference on the undernourishment of school children made it possible for this issue to be raised in the Polish media. 6) The Puppet Programme was also promoted thanks to two campaigns held simultaneously in four cities: Warsaw, Cracow, Toruń and Łódź - the Puppet Day (19.09.2004) and the Christmas Puppet Table (5.12.2004). Warsaw Łódź Toruń Cracow all contributions from natural 756193.86 4085.00 14669.79 4428.00 779376.65 persons contributions from 110380.41 226.00 23500.00 134106.41 entrepreneurs !% 182935.30 6.69 182941.99 public fundraising* 4960.00 2929.06 7889.06 contributions from schools 5377.92 640.77 907.11 6925.80 surplusage 800.00 20.00 820.00 BP Polska 303906.65 303906.65 Tredor 40000.00 40000.00 AKM 8250.00 8250.00 MASPEX 50000.00 50000.00 Contrast 325.00 325.00 Danone 99000.00 150000.00 249000.00 Poligrafia 3500.00 3500.00 Onet 26795.43 26795.43 Pryzmat 63000.43 63000.43 Befado 9000.00 9000.00 Roche 5000.00 5000.00 R.R.Donelley 1300.00 1300.00 Human Dialog 2250.00 2250.00 Merck Sp. z o.o. 21947.50 21947.50 Again Advertising Agency 2921.12 2921.12 BZ WBK 89870.08 89870.08 CaLyon Bank 2500.00 2500.00 SPPAH 80750.00 80750.00 Domainmaker 2272.50 2272.50 Marek Rozak Publishing 25000.00 25000.00 House Philips Polska Sp. z o.o 30000.00 30000.00 Volkswagen Bank 20000.00 20000.00 Volkswagen Leasing 20000.00 20000.00 Volkswagen Service 20000.00 20000.00 B4P Sp. z o.o. 4950.00 4950.00 Polpharma 2000.00 2000.00 Phillip Morris 10000.00 10000.00 JP Morgan 15 000.02 15000.02 Warta Foundation 1500.00 1500.00 TOTAL 1994686.20 4951.77 207032.67 16428.00 2223098.64 *Under decision no. 99/2004 on public fundraising issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Partners 1) Survey on undernourishment of children in Poland a. The main partner in this undertaking was Danone, mainly as the financial partner. 2) 2nd Conference on undernourishment of children in Poland a. The main partner in this undertaking was Danone, mainly as the financial partner. 3) Puppet Day a. The co-organiser and main sponsor was the Association of Friends of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. The Association was given funds to organise the Puppet Day from the sponsor - BP 4) Services that were offered included: a. public areas were made available b. fire trucks were displayed in Warsaw, Toruń and Łódź c. band, musicians and speakers 5) the Polish Hunger Site http://www.pajacyk.pl/ a. Artnet sp. z o.o. – site webmasters and administrators b. Idmnet sp. z o.o. – technical management of the banner space, generation of statistics and study "Real Profile" defining the statistical attributes of the Puppet "click-throughs" in collaboration with Gemius.pl and Imetria sp. z o.o. c. e. 2004 campaign d. Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agency – authors and creators of all social campaigns concerning the Puppet e. Zenithmedia – authors of the media plans for the social campaigns concerning the Puppet
Volunteers 5 volunteers participated in the survey on the undernourishment of school age children. 15 volunteers participated in the Christmas Puppet Table campaign. 25 volunteers participated in the Puppet Day campaign.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
IV. Aid to Refugees and Repatriates
1. The Refugees Aid Centre (RAC)
1.1. Basic social assistance and social and legal counselling
The need 8 077 foreigners applied for a refugee status in Poland in 2004. This is a small increase of approx. 5% in comparison to the previous year. The citizens of the Russian Federation, mostly Chechens, made up nearly 88% of this group.
1 135 (14.1%) of positive decisions were issued altogether, including: - 305 decisions giving a refugee status (3.78%), - 830 people received a so-called Tolerated Stay permit (10.28%).
Approx. 86.89% of the persons who were given a positive decision regarding the status is made up of the citizens of the Russian Federation. As for the tolerated stay permit, the citizens of the Russian Federation (mainly Chechens) account for 88.43%.
In connection with Poland’s accession to the European Union and the application of the Dublin II Regulation, Poland is slowly ceasing to be a transit country for the refugees and the foreigners who decided to leave Poland after 1.05.2004 are returned back to our country ever more frequently. One of the consequences of Poland’s accession to the European Union is the actual increase in the number of foreigners and refugees who are forced to adopt Poland as the country of ultimate destination. Despite a very small increase in the number of people applying for a refugee status, the number of people awaiting the refugee status at refugee centres increased nearly threefold. In 2004 the Office for Repatriation and Aliens had to open new refugee centres in Moszna near Pruszków, Radom, Jachranka, Linin near Góra Kalwaria.
Objective Assist foreigners in finding the optimum migration strategies, prepare and assist with integration, co- create the refugee and foreigner assimilation system in Poland.
Description of actions undertaken 1) Social and legal counselling a. Relations with all organisations and institutions dealing with the issue of migration in Poland were either commenced or continued as part of the counselling process. 2) The only non-governmental Refugee Home run by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation has been in operation since 1996. 3) The International Refugee Day has been organised for a tenth time by the UNHCR representative offices and all Polish Humanitarian Organisation offices. 4) In 2004 the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation commenced the following projects, the aim of which is to inform the public about the refugee issues: a. preparations to publish an on-line bulletin devoted to the migration and refugee issues. The bulletin is addressed to young people and opinion makers in Poland and abroad; b. preparations to publish children’s stories in the languages of the refugees. The project is being carried out by the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation in collaboration with UNHCR. 5) Regular language and computer courses were held by volunteers for the people awaiting the decision on the refugee status as part of the integration centre run by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation. 6) The counsellor in charge of employment opportunities for foreigners was regularly on call as part of the integration centre. 7) Integration meetings for the children of the refugees staying in Warsaw and surrounding areas. 8) Meetings for the children were organised at the refugee centres. 9) The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation organised reconnaissance trips to the refugee centres in Dębak, Linin, Wołomin, Łomża, Łuków, Czerwony Bór and Warsaw (Ciołka).
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
Results 1) The immediate beneficiaries of the programme are refugees and foreigners seeking a refugee status. The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation provided assistance to 743 persons in 2004. 2) The persons who benefit indirectly from the efforts of the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation are all Poles thanks to organisation, among other things, of campaigns and events disseminating the refugee issues, such as the Refugee Day. 3) The celebrations of the International Refugee Day organised in Warsaw by the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation and UNHCR were attended by approx. 15 000 people (refugees, foreigners seeking a refugee status and Poles), in Łódź by 200 pupils and 20 students (the campaign was organised by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation Regional Office), in Toruń by approx. 300 people (organised by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation Regional Office), Cracow (organised by the Polish Humanitarian Organisation Regional Office) and Wrocław (organised by a Local Group of Polish Humanitarian Organisation Volunteers). 4) The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation provided information to all the beneficiaries (743 persons) about the potential solutions to their situation. 5) The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation assisted the beneficiaries with finding shelter. It maintained ties with 15 shelters in Warsaw and the surrounding areas. 100 foreigners found temporary assistance and shelter there. 55 persons resided in the Refugee Home in 2004; apartments were found for 15 persons. One family received a welfare apartment in Downtown Warsaw; assistance in the form of adaptation of the apartment and partial furnishing thereof was offered. 6) The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation provided assistance in the form of medical care: a. by assisting with getting in touch with doctors, medical centres and hospitals specialising in different areas, depending on the need. b. by paying for drugs, examinations or visits to a doctor for 20 foreigners not entitled to free medical care; another 20 persons were sent to volunteer doctors. 7) The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation provided material assistance: a. by providing food products received under cooperation with the SOS "Food Bank" Foundation to over 200 refugees, persons having a tolerated stay permit and foreigners seeking a refugee status. b. by providing clothes to the refugees and persons seeking a refugee status staying in the refugee centres in Dębak, Moszna, ul.Ciołka, Czerwony Bór, Wołomin, Linin – to over 1 000 persons overall. 8) 61 foreigners took advantage of the Polish language lessons organised by the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation 9) 43 foreigners took advantage of job counselling and employment assistance offered by the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation 10) The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation organised summer holidays for 39 refugee children 11) Volunteers of the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation organised various activities for children at the day care centres 12) Volunteers of the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation organised various activities for children at the day care centres in Dębak and ul.Ciołka in Warsaw 13) The Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation helped children with access to education (see details in item 6.4) a. by purchasing books and school supplies, b. by maintaining relations with the schools, c. by offering individual lessons with the volunteers.
The efforts of the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation lead to a creation of systematised solutions concerning the refugees. Their situation is improving very slowly but noticeably.
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Polish Humanitarian Organisation Foundation Report for 2004
1.2. The following programmes have been accomplished
Polish language courses: 21 volunteers from the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation held lessons for 61 refugees and foreigners awaiting the refugee status. The lessons were offered from Monday to Friday for 5-6 hours a day.
Job club: an employee of the Refugee Aid Centre of the Polish Humanitarian Organisation offered job counselling to 43 refugees and foreigners having a work permit (refugee status, stay permit): she taught how to actively look for jobs, discussed the work ethics and assisted with job applications for 3 hours twice a week. 15 foreigners found jobs, including 4 with permanent employment contracts.
The children’s programme: