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From Struggles to Recovery: Jerzy’s Journey with Barka

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  1. Background in Ireland:
    • Jerzy  (59) lived in Ireland for 10 years.
    • Initially worked as a driver but lost his job and driving license due to alcohol addiction.
    • Developed health issues, including problems with his hand.
  2. History with PASS:
    • Registered in the PASS system in 2019.
    • Maintained regular contact with us through day centers where he came for meals and city squares where he spent time drinking with friends.
  3. Living Conditions:
    • At 59 years old, he received disability benefits and a place in a hostel.
    • Although he slept in the hostel, he spent his days drinking in public spaces with his peers.
  4. Deteriorating Health:
    • Over time, his health visibly worsened.
    • Struggled with stiffness in his joints and had difficulty walking.
    • His appearance became increasingly concerning.
  5. Encouragement to Return:
    • We continuously motivated Jerzy to return to Poland for proper support.
    • After much persuasion, he agreed, on the condition that we accompany him.
  6. Preparations for Return:
    • Secured a place for him at Barka in Poznań.
    • Arranged his travel documents, including a temporary passport, as he had previously lost two passports we helped him obtain.
    • Purchased his flight ticket and traveled with him back to Poland.
  7. Support in Poland:
    • Upon arrival, Jerzy rested for a few days at Barka.
    • Underwent an assessment and was referred to a residential addiction therapy program.
  8. Current Situation:
    • Jerzy remains in touch with us and Barka staff, regularly updating us on his progress.
    • He describes his conditions as “luxurious,” even mentioning a medical bed provided for his comfort.
    • His positive experience has inspired others; a friend is already planning to follow his steps after hearing about Jerzy’s success.
  9. Future Plans:
    • Jerzy is determined to stop drinking and rebuild his life.
    • Once he has achieved sobriety, he plans to reconnect with his family in Poland and work on rebuilding relationships.

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.