PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
As reported by the Central Statistical Office, in 2018 there were 1,152 foster care institutions in Poland, including care and education centres for children and young people, regional care and therapy centres, and pre-adoptive intervention centres. At that time, there were 16,655 people residing in such institutions, with the biggest age group being 14-17 year-olds (7,467 people). Children from orphanages who reach adulthood face the challenge of becoming independent. Many of them then encounter barriers to entry into adult life, which can negatively impact their ability to access education or the labour market.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANISATION
The Fundacja One Day Foundation was established with the aim of supporting children from orphanages and care and education centres in Poland. One of its main initiatives is the annual organisation of a nationwide day for children from orphanages called “Gwiazdka One Day”, hosted in December during the Christmas time. The event is a gala ceremony in the Main Hall of the Warsaw University of Technology where children and young people – who are being cared for by institutions from all over Poland - receive their dream gifts and gain practical knowledge.
The Fundacja One Day Foundation also runs the year-long “Usamodzielnieni” (“Self-dependent”) training programme, aimed at people between 16 and 26 years of age who are about to leave orphanages and care and education centres. The organisation supports young people in gaining professional experience in their chosen professions through courses, training sessions, further education and language learning. During special workshops, the pupils learn the rules of writing a CV, crucial points to remember for job interviews and effective methods for job searching. Above all, however, they learn how to build self-confidence and not to be afraid of adulthood. The foundation also equips young people with tools allowing them to become completely self-dependent.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Kulczyk Foundation has been cooperating with Fundacja One Day since the beginning of 2019. Through mutual cooperation, 12 workshops have been conducted so far, attended by more than 200 young people entering into adult life. They all took place as part of the “Usamodzielnieni” training programme. Children can also take part in courses that teach a vast range of practical skills that help the children to become independent, such as helping them to get their driving licences; learning languages; teaching them how to present themselves; learning cosmetology, or taking forklift driving courses. So far, the Kulczyk Foundation has co-financed 54 such courses.
As part of the cooperation, the foundation in 2019 visited orphanages in: Lublin, Oświęcim, Włocławek, Zawiercie, Tczew, Narkowy, Oborniki Śląskie, Kutno, Otorowo, Szamotuły, Lipnica, Żary, Szprotawa, Zamość, Zwierzyniec, Nowa Sarzyna, Równe, Pęchery, Płońsk, and Lubień Kujawski.
The Kulczyk Foundation also supports the Fundacja One Day project implemented jointly with the Warsaw University of Technology: “Platforma Usamodzielnieni APP” (“Self-dependent APP Platform”). The platform will serve as a compendium of knowledge for children and youth in institutions. It will contain information such as available jobs and courses, as well as instructional videos.
In addition, the Kulczyk Foundation helps organise the One Day final event during the Christmas Gala. In December 2019, more than 650 children from orphanages from various places in Poland participated in it.
