Darling, we’re the young ones

For the awards and celebrations event at Guild Hall, Young Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber required a professionally designed, printed programme to hand out to guests. The leaflet needed to do more than simply list the day’s events, it had to convey a positive image of the charity organisation to show that they are making a difference to young people across the region.

Farewell

On the last day we travelled to Fundacja once again for the presentation of work produced during the two weeks we had been taking part in the art workshops. We also met many of the artists as they worked with ceramics, textiles and woodwork. Often they would demonstrate what they were doing and kindly let us have a go.

Katherine in the ceramics workshop at Fundacja Miedzy Nami

A selection of beautiful ceramic pieces

Marzena showing Katherine their album of artwork

There was a naming day ceremony also which meant a great deal of sweets and cakes were consumed. Apparently every first name has a special day devoted to it! This tradition should definitely be adopted here in the UK.

At the end of the afternoon we were presented with special goodbye gifts. It was really overwhelming how generous they were and how we were treated like VIPs. The presents were mostly pieces of artwork and crafts from the artists at the day centres. Katherine held back the tears as everybody applauded. Sadly we were unable to say goodbye to some of the artists we had met at Mother Teresa as they had been taken out for the day but we will remember them always.

We’ll never forget the expressions on everyone’s face when we presented them with our parting gifts on the last day. Our sponsors kindly donated a variety of gifts and we were so pleased with their reactions. One lady, who hadn’t spoken a word to us the whole two weeks, suddenly declared “parasol!?” when Katherine handed her a Yorkshire Forward umbrella. She also seemed quite pleased with her Enterprise rent-a –car mug, though couldn’t understand why there was no piping hot tea inside when she unwrapped it! Johnny (Johnny’s polish counterpart) was so happy with his brightly coloured Dean Clough mouse-mat, coaster and magnetic diary. It was such a pleasure to see him so kiddy over his presents.

The staff at Fundacja opening their presents

The story doesn’t end here as we intend to return in a year’s time. Janusz has been building his new home and after discovering that Katherine is a horse fanatic (lots of animated gestures and neighing) has suggested that the whole group venture off to a retreat out in a nature preserve. He has invited us to stay with him in his new home and we are greatly looking forward to seeing everyone again soon.

OUR SPONSORS:
Thanks go to the following companies for their kind donations:

Bentley and Co
Dean Clough
Duchy Parade Films
Enterprise rent-a-car
FCN Distribution
Gapwork
Genesis Social Enterprise
Graduates Yorkshire
Kooji Creative
Leeds Metropolitan University
Luminary Solutions
Martin House
New Technology Institute
Pace Micro Technology
Praxis Centre
Tis Development
Yorkshire Forward
Young Enterprise Yorkshire and Humber

Painting a present to remember us by

During our time visiting the Mother Theresa Day Centre, we proposed a collective project to paint a wall in the canteen. This would be a colourful addition to the room and something the residents could remember us by. However the room was due to be re-wired which would mean the wall being damaged and the painting ruined. A compromise was reached instead.

Johnny and Katherine hard at work

The painting is taking shape…

We were given a large wooden board to paint a joint painting from us to them so they could hang it on the wall with the other work. The only catch was that we had about 2 hours to finish it. As the deadline approached we asked if would be able to stay behind longer as we didn’t want leave it unfinished. Luckily Janusz agreed and gave us the key to lock up after we finished. We hope the residents enjoy the painting as much as we did creating it!

Johnny deep in thought

There’s nothing better than getting covered in paint!

Our Present 🙂

>>> Farewell

A Night in Prison

During the first week in Lublin we kept hearing about Prison, a themed restaurant which came highly recommended. We therefore decided to give this a go and buzzed our way in (the only way to enter Prison). Inside the tables were surrounded by metal bars and other jail memorabilia. Before our food came two other volunteers walked up as they had noticed us come in earlier and wanted to say hi. They mentioned that we were supposed to hold out our hands on entering if we wanted to be handcuffed together and stamped for good measure. Not wanting to miss out we asked the waitress who brought our food to bring forth the handcuffs! This did mean that we each lost the use of one of our hands whilst trying to eat but Katherine was adamant that we have the full Prison experience.

Poor Johnny had to eat his meal handcuffed!

>>> Painting a present to remember us by

Weekend Trip to Marynka

Half way through the fortnight our entire group of volunteers were taken to the lakes, close to the Ukrainian border. Our first stop was one of the lakes to sunbathe, paddle or set out on a pedal boat. We picked the latter of course and, with the help of one of our translators, we secured our vessel and set out to explore the lake. Afterwards we drove further on to our final destination, a peaceful woodland retreat with log cabins, a barbecue and various activities available.

Pedal boating across the lake

Teresa had originally planned to take us to another site but had to change in the last weeks leading up to our trip to Poland. She warned us that the accommodation may be very basic so we had visions of us having to rough it in squalid conditions. However we soon found that the log cabins we’re actually fantastic, well equipped and very spacious (larger than our flat at home!).

First of all a large group of us rented mountain bikes for a 1hour cycle ride around the forests and farms surrounding us. Following this we formed two teams of 4 /5 for a Volleyball game in which Johnny became an unexpected champion! The game was very casual but there were a few moments of pure class. We could have stayed there all evening but eventually the sweat dripping off our brows meant it was time to pop inside to freshen up before the evening’s barbecue.

Katherine and the other volunteers bike riding

The volunteers sat together to sample the grilled sausages, peppers, fish and other tasty dishes. All of which was washed down with a mixture of Polish beers, Vodkas and wines. Suffice to say everybody had a good time and we got to know each other a lot better that evening!

On our return trip to Lublin we stopped off at Majdanek which is a concentration camp. It was a sombre experience and the visit filled us with feelings of sadness. It’s hard to believe that this place existed but preserving it like this is important to serve as a reminder of what has and cannot be allowed to happen again.

On the approach to Majdanek

>>> A Night in Prison

Lublin University

Janusz was eager to show us around Lublin University’s art and multimedia departments so we were taken there during the second week. The range of facilities and the artwork on display was impressive to say the least and we were pleased to see the traditional art and the digital multimedia sitting side by side. Professor Lech proudly showed us around and asked students if they would demonstrate some of their work. At the end of the visit they also gave us CDs of video and animation work to take home with us. Also we were presented with a large book of artwork produced by the professors and staff of the University.

Examples from the student’s Life Drawing class

Johnny, Janusz, Katherine and Professor Lech

>>> Weekend Trip to Marynka

Janusz treats us to a meal out

Janusz and his wife invited Teresa and ourselves to a traditional Polish lunch in a restaurant outside of Lublin and closer to the countryside. Inside the building was decked from top to bottom with wooden sculptures, farmer’s tools, hunting equipment and upturned tree trunks. Roots spread out across the ceiling creating an amazing effect.

Beautiful tree trunks decorating the restaurant

Neither of us was prepared for the amount of food that was to fill the table after we ordered. We tried bits of everything and barely managed to make any impact on our own plates. Food in Polish restaurants seem to be very meaty and chunky, all served in generous portions. We felt bad that we could barely make a dent in the huge feast spread across the table but our hosts were happy to see us enjoying Polish hospitality to the full.

A banquet of food spread across our table!

>>> Lublin University

Kazimierz Dolny

As part of the drawing exercises, Janusz and Marzena took us to a small town, Kazimierz Dolny with a large group of artists from both the Mother Theresa centre and Fundacja. The town was renowned for its artists and the picturesque architecture and landscape. It was perfect for the exercise and we all found a great deal to inspire our sketches.

Volunteers Steph and Lea drawing

Johnny drawing the town’s architecture

At lunch time our hosts treated everyone to a meal in a local restaurant. Pierogi seemed to be the order of choice with a wide variety of delicious fillings. Afterwards we were taken back to Lublin though we would have loved to have spent more time in Kazimierz Dolny. It was obvious that there was a great deal more to see than we had time for.

The two Johnnys!

Johnny checking out Kazimierz Dolny

>>> Janusz treats us to a meal out

Fundacja Miedzy Nami

As well as working at the centre in Lublin we were also able to spend some of the time at Fundacja. We took part in some countryside drawing studies in the surrounding areas which were beautiful, an ideal place to be creative. On a second visit we were able to try out some pottery and help set up what would be a final presentation of artwork produced by everybody during the two weeks we were in Poland. Marzena Bochenek, the director for the centre, kindly offered to fire our clay work and post it on to the UK. We created a vase, two incense stick holders and an unusual walrus head. She also sent arts and craft produced at Fundacja to be sold in the UK to raise funds for the centre.

Johnny and Katherine drawing in the nearby countryside

Johnny, Katherine, Maria and Steph with the local students

Maria, Katherine, Janusz, Johnny, Steph and Terenia

>>> Kazimierz Dolny