On the 27th of November Barka NL in Utrecht hosted an African priest- Emile, who spent a day with Barka team in Utrecht, visited the Social Economy Centre and in the evening Emile had a meeting with Barka leaders. Emile is working in Guinea and is interested in development projects for the communities there.
Barka NL- Study visit of Emile Loua- a priest from Guinea in Africa
On the 25th of November 2013 CECOP-CICOPA ( European Confederation of Worker Cooperatives, Social Cooperatives and Social Participative Enterprises) organised a conference on cooperatives and work integration of disadvantaged persons. The representative of Barka Foundation took part in that event. Luca Jahier, from the European Economic and Social Committee opened the conference and the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor gave a keynote speech in which he underlined that social cooperatives play a key role in Europe, “they bring a fresh vision and approach to the current mainstream economy.
Our employment initiative focuses on work with homeless and vulnerable migrants towards finding a sustainable employment. Since May 2012, nearly 30 persons started employment that enabled them to move out of dependency on homeless services.
Barka Foundation and Stichting Barka NL have been awarded EAPN 2013 ( European Anti Poverty Network) Award For Transnational Inspiration and Learning in The Fight Against Poverty And Social Exclusion.
Local initiatives can be a great example of promoting and supporting social entrepreneurship and more socialized economy in Europe – which the opening ceremony of Wielkopolska Solidarity Economy Centre (WSEC) named after Cyryl Ratajski (president of the city of Poznan in the 20ties and 30ties) in Poznan proved.
At the beginning of August 2013 the North Frederick Street emergency hostel (where we used to meet with the homeless migrants on daily basis) became a part of regular Homeless Agency Freephone services, offering accommodation on nightly basis to all homeless persons in Dublin. Following that, we decided to broaden our outreach service to keep in touch the migrants. Outside the hours we work in the Mendicity Institution, we now also visit Capuchin Day Centre and Merchants Quay Ireland.
Once we establish a relationship, we work with individual migrants supporting their journey from exclusion to inclusion through organised programs of reconnection. We aim to help individuals address their problems and become able to move out of dependency on homeless services.
Since the beginning of July we are hosting a new leader. Krzysztof Janeczek, formely a roughsleeper and street drinker of six years in London. He availed of Barka residential treatment in Poland nearly four years ago. He then decided to return to London, and with the support of local Barka Social Economy Centre secured job as a labourer. He remained sober, and after a few months was offered a job as Barka leader. For the past two and a half years he has been working in London and Utrecht. In Dublin, he daily talks to Eastern European migrants that avail of services of Mendicity Institution, Merchants Quay Ireland and Capuchin Day Centre.
On Friday, the 17th of May, we hosted a visit of Tomasz Sadowski, founder and chairperson of Barka Foundation For Mutual Help (Poland). He met with Cathriona and Sean Byrne who run a family business Blooming Baskets, as well as with Tony Lowth, Dublin entrepreneur interested in organic farming. Tomasz Sadowski explained Barka’s ethos and described Barka’s model of running social enterprises.
He also had a meeting with the Board of Mendicity Institution, representatives of Dublin City Council, Homeless Agency and Barka Ireland staff. The aim of this meeting was to discuss chances and possibilities of creating social enterprises in Dublin. Such enterprise could promote social integration, and facilitate entering labour market for homeless and unemployed persons currently socially and economically excluded. They will create sober community to support each other’s growth and personal development while gaining new skills and creating employment. It will be a chance for migrants from Central and Eastern Europe to rebuild their lives.
On the 10th of April Barka IE staff had a meeting with representatives of COPE Galway Fairgeen Hostel and COPE Galway Day Center. As a result of the commitment and instant response of the Polish Consulate in Dublin the passport was processed for one of the migrants, who found himself in extreme circumstances. This will allow him to receive the necessary medical care and other services. This was our second visit to Galway. First time Barka staff members visited Fairgreen Hostel and some Polish migrants who had lived there in May 2012. The COPE Galway representatives informed us about the extremely poor living conditions of homeless Polish people who have been living in Galway for several years. As part of this visit Barka employees had the opportunity to have long conversations with the Poles living on the streets. Also during this meeting Barka staff made a presentation on the ethos, programs and operation of the Barka organization both in Poland and abroad.
‘Polish Woman of the Year’ competition is being organised by the Congress of Polish Women in the UK. The aim of the contest is to honour the outstanding women which would inspire others with their passion and actions, making a positive difference in the world around them.
Ewa Sadowska, the Chief Executive of Barka UK, has been nominated for her commitment to charity work, which was met with approval of the Chapter. She was chosen as one of the ten final nominees to the next stage of the competition, which is determined by online voting. The results will be announced on April 20 at the Polish Embassy in London.
The aim of the Congress is to highlight the great participation of Polish women in social and economic life in the United Kingdom through the presentation of their personal success and professional achievements. The meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss the issues effecting every women, such as: career path, gender equality, stereotyping, women’s rights and many other issues impacting their daily lives. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where Polish women working and living in the UK could fully realise their potential. Patrons of the Congress are Polish Ambassador in London Mr. Witold Sobków and the Association of Women’s Congress based in Warsaw. For further information please follow this link: http://krolestwopolek.eu/kongres-2013
To vote for Ewa Sadowska please click here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LL5WTZV. When the link open answer tak (yes) to the question : “Should Ewa win?”
