Barka’s Role in Strengthening Polish Communities Abroad

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From October 4-6, a convention of Polish community organizations, organized by Forum Polonia, took place in Dublin. Barka for Mutual Help’s representative was also invited to participate and proudly presented its mission and activities at the event. The convention began with a ceremony at Mansion House commemorating the 20th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the European Union.

Dublin’s Deputy Mayor, Donna Cooney, opened the celebration, expressing pride in Ireland’s longstanding bond with Poland. She highlighted Ireland’s early support of Poland’s EU aspirations and the warm welcome extended to Polish migrants, acknowledging the significant impact Polish communities have had on modern Ireland. She shared a personal story of her grandfather’s close relationships with Poles in London, who was honored with the prestigious “Order of Polonia Restituta” by the Polish government in exile. To underscore this special connection, Cooney brought her grandfather’s medals to the event, adding a symbolic weight to her words.

Eamon O’Riordan, a Labour Party politician and former Minister for New Communities, reflected on the 2015 Ireland-Poland football match at Aviva Stadium as a symbol of the Polish community’s presence in Ireland. He pointed out that Polish is now the second-most spoken language in the country, demonstrating the community’s lasting influence. O’Riordan voiced support for greater representation of Poles in Irish politics and sports and encouraged active participation in the upcoming local elections.

The convention featured four discussion panels:

  • Panel 1: Diversity in the Activities of Polish Organizations in Ireland: Between Professionalization and Volunteering
  • Panel 2: Culture and Identity
  • Panel 3: Civic Engagement and Political Involvement
  • Panel 4: Maintaining Ties with Poland through Education

These discussions facilitated networking, promoted the professionalization of Polish organizations, and deepened collaboration to enhance the representation of Polish interests in Ireland. Participants shared insights into their work, with Teresa Buczkowska recounting her experience as an Obama Scholar, and Marcin Piotrowski discussing his roles as a councilor and the organizer of the Folkowisko Festival and Humanitarian Foundation.

Photo: Forum Polonia

Barka for Mutual Help was proudly represented by Aneta Kubas, who presented our mission and achievements to prominent attendees, including Senator Grzegorz Schetyna and Robert Tyszkiewicz, the Polish Senate’s Coordinator for Polish Diaspora Affairs. This gathering underscored the importance of Barka’s efforts in homelessness prevention and providing essential support to Polish nationals and other vulnerable individuals, ensuring they receive guidance and resources when in need.

 

Success Story: Gintaras’s Journey Home

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Gintaras, a man in his 40s from Lithuania, had been working informally in Northern Ireland for several years. After saving some money, he decided to return home to his family in Lithuania. With this plan in mind, he made his way to Dublin, intending to buy a ticket at the airport. Unfortunately, once he arrived, he realized that he hadn’t fully thought it through – the earliest flight to Lithuania wouldn’t be available for a few days. Left with no choice but to wait in Dublin, he began searching for accommodation.

This led to another unpleasant surprise: accommodation prices in hostels for same-night bookings were all above €200. As he wandered from hostel to hostel hoping for a more affordable option, he met a group of women who struck up a conversation with him. Trusting them, Gintaras ended up buying several rounds of drinks. Eventually, they offered him a place to stay for the night at their rental apartment. They continued drinking together, and at one point, the woman offered him a pill, claiming it would help with his headache. Gintaras woke up the next morning with a pounding headache and an empty wallet – all his savings were gone.

Devastated, he found himself wandering the streets of Dublin with nowhere to turn. He reached out to several aid organizations and was twice given emergency accommodation where he could rest and clean up. But things took a darker turn when, a few days later, he was assaulted and left badly bruised. Desperate and out of options, he approached two organizations seeking help for a return to Lithuania, who then referred him to Barka.

The team at Barka met with Gintaras and, after hearing his story, agreed to help him. They arranged a ticket back to Vilnius, providing him with the practical and emotional support he needed. The Barka staff spent time with Gintaras, listening to his experiences in Ireland and his hopes for the future. A skilled construction worker, he expressed his wish to find work in Lithuania and rebuild his life. The Barka team took him to a pharmacy to purchase the necessary dressings for his injuries and provided him with food for his journey. They then accompanied him to the airport, ensuring he safely passed through security and was on his way home.

Through their compassionate intervention, Barka was instrumental in preventing Gintaras from falling into homelessness on the streets of Dublin. Their support helped him safely return to his family, saving him from further risk and giving him a renewed chance to build a stable life in Lithuania.

Barka’s role in this case highlights their dedication to homelessness prevention and their life-saving assistance for individuals at critical points in their lives.

Success Story: Helping Philip Find His Way Home with Barka’s Support

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Philip, a 33-year-old man, is one of many individuals struggling with health challenges, often related to mental health, who find themselves feeling unsupported and without options in the UK. Like others in similar situations, Philip had hoped that relocating to Ireland would provide him with immediate medical support, housing, and social assistance. Many believe that as British citizens, they are entitled to automatic access to these resources in Ireland.

Upon arriving in Dublin, Philip sought help at one of the local help centres, where he was informed that he would not have immediate access to emergency accommodation or services. After spending five nights on the streets, Philip expressed his desire to return to the UK. The day centre reached out to Barka, who met with Philip to discuss his situation and options.

Exhausted from sleeping rough, Philip shared his struggles with Barka’s team. He admitted he had been battling his mental health issues alone for eight years, refusing treatment, and that he saw Ireland as his last hope. Now, he wanted to return to the UK and consider the support of mental health services there. He expressed his intention to seek treatment at his local hospital upon arrival.

Recognizing Philip’s urgent need for support, Barka’s team quickly arranged a ferry ticket for the same day, ensuring he wouldn’t have to spend another night vulnerable on the streets. Deeply moved by the care and assistance provided, Philip thanked Barka for helping him find a way home.

This story underscores Barka’s crucial role in preventing homelessness and supporting individuals like Philip. By connecting people with the resources they need—whether in Ireland, the UK, or beyond—Barka plays an essential role in guiding individuals back to safety and hope.

Success Story: Radostin’s Journey Back Home

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We were first contacted about Radostin by a social worker from Cloverhill Prison. Radostin, a Bulgarian national, had arrived at the facility in poor mental health after wandering the streets of Dublin for over a month. During his time in prison, he received psychiatric support, and as his condition improved, he expressed a strong desire to return to his home country, although he had little memory of how he ended up in Ireland.

The social worker arranged for a meeting between Radostin and Barka staff before his court appearance. Given Radostin’s commitment to returning to Bulgaria, Barka workers purchased a flight for him. After his release from prison, he was accompanied by the social worker and Barka team to the Bulgarian consulate, where they secured his travel document. Following this, they took him to pre-arranged emergency accommodation for the night.

Barka team members provided him with clean clothing and food for the journey. Early the next morning, at 6:30, a Barka staff member collected Radostin from the hostel and traveled with him to the airport, where another Barka employee awaited to accompany him on the flight to Sofia.

Upon arrival in Bulgaria, Radostin was reunited with his brother, who had been eagerly awaiting his return. The family expressed immense gratitude for the coordinated effort that made his safe journey possible. Radostin now has the opportunity to continue his recovery surrounded by family and in familiar surroundings, hopeful for a fresh start back home.

Success Story: Silvian’s Return to Romania

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Silvian arrived in Ireland a year ago in search of work, leaving behind his wife and child in Romania. Unfortunately, he experienced a decline in mental health and was admitted to Mater Hospital, where he received treatment. Once his condition improved, Silvian expressed a strong desire to return to Romania to continue his recovery.

At that time, a social worker from his hospital ward contacted Barka. Barka staff members visited Silvian in the hospital, where, together with the social worker, they discussed a plan for his return to Romania. The hospital reached out to the Romanian consulate to arrange travel documentation, and Barka arranged for a flight. Due to Silvian’s condition, it was decided that a Barka staff member would accompany him on the journey.

On the day of travel, Aneta picked up Silvian from the hospital at 4 a.m., and they went to the airport together. During the flight, Silvian repeatedly expressed relief at having someone by his side. The assistance proved essential when the captain announced that, due to heavy fog in Cluj, the flight would be diverted to Sibiu Airport, about a two-hour drive away. Upon arrival, they managed to organize an ambulance that transported Silvian and Aneta to the hospital in Cluj.

Aneta accompanied Silvian all the way to the hospital, where his doctor, along with his mother and brother, awaited him. The family warmly thanked Barka for the support in helping Silvian return home.

A few days later, Silvian’s mother reached out to Barka once again to express her heartfelt thanks. She shared that she felt an immense relief in finally finding her son after months of searching. Silvian had since been discharged from the hospital and was now safely at home with his family.

This reunion has given Silvian the opportunity to continue his recovery surrounded by his loved ones, and his family is grateful for the support that made this possible.

Study Visit to Barka NL: Learning from Successful Homelessness Support Initiatives

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Between 17th and 20th September 2024, Konrad and Julie from our new Barka Team in Berlin had the pleasure of meeting dedicated Barka employees in the Netherlands. The aim of the study visit was to learn about the work and experiences of scaling the Barka organization in the Netherlands.

Julie and Konrad explain:

“We were welcomed with open arms and immediately felt the strong Barka spirit among our colleagues. Despite meeting for the first time, there was an immediate sense of support and active interest in our activities in Berlin, both during and after the trip.

We left the Netherlands feeling inspired by the variety of Barka’s support projects for homeless Europeans. Barka NL has excellent collaboration with other organizations that do outreach work. Barka also provides counseling services and runs Community Centres. The NL Team operates an ambitious Training Flat project, helping homeless individuals reintegrate into employment. What impressed us most was their individualized approach to each person seeking help and the sheer volume of people they assist daily.”

Special thanks to the Barka Partner Organisations and the civil servants who met with Julie and Konrad, sharing their experiences and ideas on reducing homelessness in European cities.

The study visit was of great value to Barka Berlin e. V., giving us excellent prerequisites to launch our activities for migrants in precarious situations in Berlin.

From Homelessness to a Fresh Start: Katarzyna and Bartlomiej’s Journey

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Katarzyna and Bartlomiej arrived in Ireland three years ago, from Poland, finding work on farms that provided accommodation. However, three months ago, they lost their jobs and ended up on the streets. They lived in a tent and survived by collecting cans and bottles. Every day, they walked about 10 kilometers searching for recyclables. At one point, Katarzyna sprained her ankle, and Bartlomiej had to take on most of the scavenging work himself. Meanwhile, they tried to apply for social welfare, but without a permanent address, the process was complicated.

After weeks of struggling, the couple decided to seek help from a local organization that supports the homeless. The organization referred them to Barka. In a phone conversation with Barka, Bartlomiej explained that they both had an opportunity to work on a farm in Belgium but lacked passports and money for the journey. After receiving confirmation from the employer in Belgium about their readiness to hire them, Barka’s staff helped the couple organize Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) and purchased flight tickets to Brussels, followed by train tickets to their place of accommodation and work.

Barka ensured that Katarzyna and Bartlomiej had a warm meal before their departure, provided food for the journey, and gave them a small amount of pocket money.

A New Beginning Awaits

Thanks to the assistance provided by Barka, Katarzyna and Bartlomiej now have the opportunity to rebuild their lives and start anew in Belgium. Their story is a testament to the power of compassion and support in helping people transition from hardship to hope. With determination and the right help, new beginnings are possible for anyone.

Barka’s Visit to The Lighthouse Charity in Dublin

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Recently, Barka visited the Lighthouse organization in Dublin. The charity, located at 28 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, is open seven days a week to support those affected by hunger and homelessness. They provide hot, freshly made meals and various other services, including clothing, hygiene supplies, sleeping bags, barbershop services, addiction referrals, and medical assistance. All these services are offered free of charge to their valued clients.

The Lighthouse serves an average of 600 meals daily, including around 250 takeaway meals. Additionally, they provide tents for those sleeping on the streets. The Dublin Christian Mission is committed to addressing the whole person, focusing on their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. They strive to build genuine and authentic relationships with those they serve and work alongside.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need by supporting organizations like the Lighthouse and spreading awareness about the importance of compassion and community care.

 

Community Support in Action: Barka at Little Flower Penny Dinners

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Last week, representatives from Barka visited Little Flower Penny Dinners on Meath Street in Dublin 8.

Little Flower is an organization with a long-standing tradition of helping those in need by providing hot meals in their dining hall and delivering them to the homes of the sick and elderly (Meals on Wheels).

Lunches are available from Monday to Friday, starting at 12:00 . Little Flower helps anyone in need.

Recent Visits to Organizations Supporting Dublin’s Most Vulnerable Residents

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Recently, our foundation’s staff visited two organizations that provide essential assistance to those most in need in Dublin.

The Capuchin Day Centre has been serving the poor for over 40 years by providing hot meals (400 breakfasts and 600 dinners Monday – Saturday), distributing food packages and baby products, and offering medical care.

Feed Dublin, on the other hand, prepares food packages with the help of 50 volunteers, which are distributed twice a week either at their base in Tyrrelstown or delivered directly to those most in need.

We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of both organizations. Their commitment to supporting vulnerable communities is truly inspiring.