COUNTRY / PROBLEM
According to the latest study coordinated by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, in 2017 there were over 33 thousand homeless people in Poland. This problem mostly affects men (over 80%).
One can become homeless for many reasons – family conflicts, job loss and debts, alcoholism or any other type of addiction can contribute to the lack of a permanent place of residence. Living ‘on the street’ makes it difficult to integrate with the society and, without support, it is very hard to find a way out of this situation.
ORGANISATION
Barbara and Tomasz Sadowski established Barka in 1989 to help the most vulnerable people. Since then, their initiative has grown significantly – Barka is now a network of associations operating in Poland and number of countries whose aim is to support the most vulnerable people, including the homeless, the addicted to alcohol or drugs and ex-prisoners.
Barbara and Tomasz Sadowski have received many awards for their achievements to date, both in Poland and abroad. They were seperatly awarded Ashoka Fellowship, Tomasz Sadowski in 1996 and Barbara Sadowska in 2001.
PROJECTS
Kulczyk Foundation supported the Barka network by donating funds for:
- modernisation and retrofitting of an organic farm in Chudobczyce – purchase of a new greenhouse, polytunnel, irrigation equipment, and other gardening tools;
- retrofitting and renovation of the dining part and the Barka’s building in Chudobczyce;
- renovation and retrofitting of the canteen at the primary school in Sieraków.
