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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.

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.