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Barka’s story in Chudopczyce
1996
Two housing blocks (with 12 flats each) were bought in raw conditions, with unfinished infrastructure from the National Agricultural Agency (AWRSP), by recommendation of the Prefect of Poznan, Mr. Włodzimierz Łęcki.
60 hectares of lands were purchased from the National Agricultural Agency.
1997
The Foundation bough a historically significant manor (devastated, needing complete restoration, with works regulated by Polish Heritage Conservation norms), together with a park complex.
This is one of the most beautiful neo-baroque landed gentry seats in the Wielkopolska region: an eclectic manor constructed in the beginning of the XX century, according to the project of the outstanding architect Roger Sławski, surrounded by a historical park. During the after war period the manor was used by State farm administration. It was renewed over again several times, adapted to the needs of an office, among others, and completely lost its original character. The park was completely neglected. Part of its valuable trees were cut down.
Deciding to buy the Manor, the Foundation undertook responsibility to return its splendour, which was linked with the necessity to make a complete renovation (rebuilding, exchange of installations, renewal of the elevation, etc.). The manor-park complex is registered in the record of historical monuments, what means that all renovating works and revalorisation of the park need previous agreement of the Municipal Monuments’ Conservator. Barka succeeded in contacting very important allies: the inventory and documentation for modernization of the manor were elaborated by workers and students of the Polytechnics of Poznan - Division of Architecture. Dr. Gabriela Klause directly supervises the renovation works. Under professional guidance of academic staff, students from the Agricultural Academy made the inventory of the park.
Almost all works are made with “own efforts”, with expert activity-related help, most frequently done free of charge. This unique edifice is being saved by homeless people, persons from the so called “social margin”. From one side this is an uncommonly beneficial social phenomenon; from the other side an indication of the way to prevent ultimate devastation of hundreds of similar cultural monuments in the whole country.
March 1999
The Foundation rented the former State farm (398 hectares of land and farming buildings), without permanent property, with partially sowed fields and a group of 11 workers. To start-up the activities one investment credit was taken for purchase of machines, farming appliances and tools (PLN 178 thousand – payable in 8 years), and one turnover loan for plantation (PLN 100 thousand). During this period one storey of the building block was finished. Twenty persons settled residence and two flats were fulfilling the function of hotel.
May 1999
The Regional Socio-Educational Centre (Regionalny Osrodek Socjalno-Edukacyjny) was established with the objective of animating the poorest people and neglected sites in rural areas. Mrs. Krystyna Dorsz was nominated as the Director of the Center.
In 1997-1999, thanks to financial support of UNDP (United Nations Development Program) conservative breeding of a rare race of pigs “Zlotnicka” (“Spotted Gold”) was established and nursery of ancient fruit trees was created.
With financial resources obtained from the Henry Ford Award for the community’s project “For the People and the Environment”, two waste cleaners were installed (for building blocks and the manor). The rebuilding works of the manor begun and, among other works, the roof was entirely changed.
MAIN ACTIVITIES:
Year 1999:
Investments and economic activities:
building works of the first housing block were finished; the building was insulated; the boiler was renewed and central heating was installed (thanks to the Co-operating Netherlands Foundations (Stichting Kinderpostzegels); WFOSiGW (Municipal Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Supply) and GEF/SGP (Global Environment Facility/Small Grants Programme). Students and research workers from the Academy of Agriculture made the inventory of the park. The farming building in proximity to the housing blocks was renovated and adapted to workshops, storage and sanitary facilities for the planned summer camps.
Educational activities:
The socio-educational program was defined. During summer a work-camp was organized for about 200 participants from Poland and foreign countries. During this camp a special event was organized to commemorate 10 years of Barka’s existence. A camp for Barka’s residents was organized with recreation character. A summer camp was organized for 30 children from poor families from the neighbouring province of Międzychód. Co-operation with Micro-loans Fund was established and a series of meetings were organized with potential clients (this activity was not continued because of lack of interest of the local and neighbouring population). The Centre started its educational activities thanks to financial resources from LGPP. Altogether 100 social workers of social support offices from all over Poland received training. The Bank of Social Support was created, addressed mainly to the population of surrounding provinces. Its activities consisted in collecting used clothing, house appliances, furniture and food and giving them to extremely poor families. These persons were guided to the Center by the official offices of social support. Volunteering programme was set up with volunteers from Peace Corps – USA and ICE – Germany, consisting mainly in teaching foreign languages, general education, games and recreation activities in the Center and public schools in the provinces of Kwilcz and Lubosz. A donation of PLN 14,000 was obtained from the Regional Centre of Social Support for purchase of 4 computers and books for the library.
Year 2000:
Investments, economic and farming activities:
Rebuilding activities in the second housing block were undertaken; 6 flats were finished; central heating was installed in the whole building. Two hectares of grounds determined for orchards were fenced; the first series of trees were planted (2000 units); 300 units were given to neighbouring poor families. Farming buildings determined for goats’ and sheep’s breeding were renovated. A goats’ herd was transferred to the Center from Barka’s Marszewo Community, Thanks to engagement of friends from France 120 units sheep’s herd were brought (White race from the Central Region). Activities were undertaken to change the character of the farm from conventional agriculture to agro-eco-farming: the contacts with Ekoland and Agro-Bio-Test finished with the first control and achievement of the status of a farm in transition to ecologic. Field works continued; a catastrophic drought resulted in losses of about 70% of the crop (according to report from the Provincial Commission). Basic renovation works of the manor were undertaken: rebuilding of facilities, installation of central heating and hydraulics, renewal of ecologic boiler (instead of coal) Summer kitchen in facilities adjacent to the manor was rebuilt and equipped. Cellar facilities adjacent to the manor were rebuilt and adapted to food storage. Behind the manor a tent was built to serve as canteen in the summer.
Socio-educational activities:
Training for 25 persons (social workers) was carried out. Thanks to a project financed from EU funds under the Leonardo da Vinci programme (PLN 80,000) a two-week training stage in the Kofoed Institute, in Copenhagen – Denmark was organized for 24 persons (social workers). Children’s Day was commemorated gathering children from Barka’s communities, hostels and poor families from the neighbourhood. Summer camps were organized: work-camp for volunteers and recreation camp for children (altogether 250 persons). International conference was held with 60 participants within the framework of the Lydia Project – Great Britain. Mr. Will Braakman, an expert from the Netherlands spent more than 2 weeks in the Center, giving special training on ecologic/organic farming. Co-operation was undertaken with the German ecologist, dr. Stielovem, who visited Chudopczyce several times to transfer theoretic and practical knowledge (this co-operation have been continuous). The volunteering programme was continued. Thanks to a grant from the Peace Corps a computer network was installed.
Year 2001:
Investments, economic and farming activities:
The year of 2001 was a successive year of transformation of agricultural activities to agro-eco-farming. After the second control of AgroBioTest, the second year of transformation was accounted. The Centre also helped the communities of Marszewo and Wladyslawowo in their efforts towards transformation of their activities to ecologic. Commercial co-operation was established with the company Herbapol for production and supply of herbs. Restoration works in the manor were reactivated during spring, as well as its equipment; rebuilding works of the second housing block were also continued. Co-operation with the American Welfare Institute was started. As effect of this co-operation the American concept of pigs’ breeding “in freedom” was adopted in Chudopczyce. With this purpose 16 hectares of land were fenced in, special little houses were built for the pigs and other equipment was prepared, what enabled to transfer part of the herd to the field. Representatives of AWI: Tom Garrett, Larry Stec and other American farmers were hosted in the Center and took part in these works. This co-operation have been continued. Plantation of vegetables was activated; a little tube was built. Goats’ breeding fields were fenced. In co-operation with the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) preparatory works for the installation of a small agro-refinery for manufacture of bio-fuel were initiated. The start up of the agro-refinery was planned for the beginning of January 2002. The park surrounding the manor was cleaned and put in order.
Socio-educational activities:
A small library was set up. The foreign volunteering programme was enlarged by two persons from Germany. For 2002 the Center plans co-operation with volunteers from: one student of social work from Germany, one ecologist from France and one economist from Spain. The Foundation participates in two volunteering programmes: ecologic and social: local volunteers were included. A work-camp was organized to promote the socio-educational programmes of the Barka Foundation to Eastern European countries, with participation of: 15 persons from Ukraine, 11 persons from Belarus, 8 persons from Western Europe and 20 persons from Barka. A group of 55 young persons from the USA and Germany was hosted. They worked for the Community during one week. A summer camp was organized for children of Barka’s residents (50 persons) with participation of foreign volunteers. A recreation camp was organized for members of Emmaus’ Communities and Barka’s residents. A three-day meeting was organized gathering leaders from Emmaus’ and Barka’s communities. The traditional commemoration of the Children’s Day was organized.
Year 2002:
Investments, economic and farming activities:
Renovation works of the second housing block were finished: the escalators and carpentry works were finished, the whole building was painted inside, the rooms were equipped and furnished to serve as hotel premises. Renovation works of the manor were started: 5 doors were assembled and summer kitchen was finished. The farming building determined for poultry, together with shift started to be renovated. About 60 m2 of area planned for conservative breeding of the “green legged little chicken” was build, as well as the shift. The works linked with the orchard of ancient fruit trees were finished. Presently, there are 4.5 hectares of orchards with apples and cherries. A plantation of ecologic willows was done. 10,000 trees were planted. A small rural manufacture of bio-fuel was started. In collaboration with the architectural office Appia the concept for the project of the canteen and a multifunctional room were started. (*) In collaboration of Prof. Kozłowski, from the Institute of Herbs from Poznan, the program of cultivation of herbs was started. Together with the inspector of construction, Mr. Bogdan Wojciechowski, the documentation regarding plans for renovation and demolition of buildings in the Community of Posadowek was prepared. The Center took part in preparations of the plans of renovations in the Community of Marszewo. The architectural plans of rebuilding works of the housing block were elaborated, as well as renovation of the farming building determined for goats.
Socio-educational activities
In February a 4-day conference was held with a 20-person group of representatives from the ATD Forth World Movement. From March 13 to 17 seven representatives of Ukrainian non-governmental organizations made a study-visit in the Center. They are interested in programs of social reintegration implemented by Barka. In March a one-day conference was carried out regarding bio-fuel. This event was linked with the start up of the agro-refinery. 140 persons participated in the conference, including representatives of municipal, district and provincial authorities. From March 20 to April 6 youth from the organization Young Life (a group of 160 volunteers) was hosted in the Center. These young people help local societies with own work. A conference was held by the club EKOS gathering 30 journalists. A study visit of a group of students from Agricultural Academies from Germany took place. A group of volunteers from Germany organized the action “Cleaning the World”, gathering 100 children from surrounding schools (Lubosz and Pnievy villages) and about 20 foreign volunteers. In April, the Center inaugurated the activities of the School of Social Animation – SAS (Szkola Animacji Socjalnej). Workshops and conference for NGOs were carried out with the support of the American Embassy. The themes were: support to NGOs, fundrising, local development strategy, programs of co-operation and dissemination of co-operation forms, types of non-financial support to NGOs, etc. A program of addictions’ therapy was started in co-operation with the Center of Treatment of Addictions from Obrzyc and with support of the Municipal Office of Poznan. Activities for children were organized in clubs. Four-day workshops were run for American, Belarussian and Polish youth under the theme: “Meeting of international cultures”. The Club of Abstinence was put in motion. The Association “Sami Sobie” was created with the objective of promoting mutual co-operation. During the International Trade Fair POLEKO, Barka’s small rural manufacture of bio-fuel was presented.
(*) For this purpose the Foundation received a grant from the Foundation-Stichting Kinderpoostzegels, from Holland, in the amount of about PLN 100,000. |