COUNTRY / PROBLEM
Poland is currently the eighth largest economy in the European Union, and also one of the fastest growing economies on the European continent. Since the 1990s, following the political transition to a free market economy, Poland’s Human Development Index increased by over 20%. Nevertheless, the country has relatively severe economic stratification of the society, which also affects children. During the production of the “Domino Effect” episode, one out of 100 Polish children was an orphan. Importantly, only in 10 children growing up under foster care has lost one or both parents – in most cases the parents are alive, but their parental rights have been revoked or limited.
ORGANISATION
SOS Children’s Villages is a global federation established in 1949, which aims to ensure that children grow up in a nurturing family environment. SOS Children’s Villages is working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or who stand at risk of losing it. As for 2018, SOS Children’s Villages were operating in 135 countries around the world.
SOS Wioski Dziecięce w Polsce has been operating since 1984, running four SOS Children’s Villages (in Biłgoraj, Kraśnik, Siedlce, and Karlino). Each of them consists of a housing estate with 12–14 houses, where SOS parents live with at least six children entrusted to their care. As part of the association, in Poland there are also SOS Youth Housing Communities, an SOS Youth Homes, together with three Temporary Residence Family Homes, and community centres at 11 locations nationwide.
PROJECTS
Kulczyk Foundation donated funds for:
- purchase of modern audiovisual equipment for a community centre in Grala-Dabrowizna (near Siedlce),
- refurbishment of a community centre, including: renovation of the bathroom adapted to the needs of children, repainting of the walls, installation of central heating.
Since 2014, Dominika Kulczyk has served as an Ambassador for SOS Wioski Dziecięce w Polsce.
