Summer camps for children with disabilities.

What happened during this year’s LITTLE EXPLORERS summer camps is literally impossible to describe. It was an explosion of joy, tolerance, mutual help, goodness and simply just being together. First summer camp is over. The second starts in August.

The first camps without parents for children with disabilities were organized many years ago by Doctor Piotr Janaszek at the lake in Mielnica. This was the „good doctor” who took disabled children out of their homes so that they would learn self-reliance and independence. The doctor who cured with a smile. In the 80’s it was a real revolution. Kids with disabilities in cub uniforms, under the care of scouts, away from their homes and sleeping in the tents!

- It was the summer holidays in my entire life! We had to deal with everything by ourselves. Whoever could peel potatoes, peeled for everyone. Several boilers of potatoes were prepared daily! Those who did not know how to do it, had to learn. Away from mommy, away from the house, full freedom and independence. The beds were less comfortable than the ones at home, but none of us cared about that. For the first time, during these summer camps, I felt like everyone else, not like a disabled person. – recalls Joanna from PAY IT FORWARD Foundation.

Anna still remembers that for her, trips to summer camps in Mielnica were a real revolution.

„Thanks to these camps, I am very independent today. I work, I moved out of my mother’s house, I travel, I help others and I owe it all to those independent trips to Mielnica, where I learned how to live – convinces Anna.

PAY IT FORWARD.

Doctor Piotr Janaszek’s PAY IT FORWARD Foundation has been organizing LITTLE EXPLORERS camps for 8 years now, in order to recreate the atmosphere and the charm of the times when they were founded by Doctor Piotr.

- We are continuing our Dad’s work, because we really want the kids to learn to become more and more self-reliant and independent during these summer camps. And it worked. It was like „PAY IT FORWARD” to what our dad created years ago – says Zuzanna Janaszek-Maciaszek, president of the Foundation.

The program of the colony is very packed. Every day artistic and sports activities are held but we also organize integration meetings, discos and trips. This year, the camps were exceptional, because the group of experienced volunteers was joined by girls from Ukraine, who wanted to thank the Foundation for all the help the disabled Ukrainians received. (PAY IT FORWARD Foundation still cares for 12 disabled Ukrainians and their families).

- For me, coming here is like saying „thank you” to the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation, with all my heart, for everything you have done for our disabled refugees and their families. It is also a very rich, personal experience for me, because I have no contact with disabled people on a daily basis. They turned out to be very sensitive, good and smart people. It amazes me how they maintain such a „healthy” distance from themselves. We worry that we have a pimple on our nose and they struggle with extremely difficult everyday life and they do it with a smile on their faces. I love this attitude and I love spending time with them! – said 16-year-old Anna from Baraniwka in Ukraine.

Ewa has been participating in the summer camps for children with disabilities for many years, initially as a caregiver and then as a camp manager. Each camp is different, but each one is unique.

- This year’s summer camp was full of enthusiasm and smiles. The participants had an opportunity to show off their sports and artistic talents. They were learning independence while playing and developing their self-esteem and parents could believe that their child would return home with new skills – convinces Ewa, the head of the summer camp.

5-year-old Bogus did not want to come back home after the camp.

- I feel great here! I’m together with other children and we’re messing around together. Besides, they give us the best rolls in the world for breakfast here! – Bogus laughs.

Well, that’s what it’s all about, to make kids happy, let the mess around and let their parents have a moment of respite for themselves. And so the LITTLE EXPLORERS summer camps make everyone happy!

Text was written by Agata Kaminska-Brice

The most beautiful pictures taken by Mikolaj Kaminski

Family picnic – a wonderful tradition at the start of summer in Janaszkowo Settlement.

Baking trays with dozens of cakes land on the tables. Every mom brings at least one: cheesecake, yogurt cake, yeast cake, Ukrainian baklava, muffins and gluten-free shortbread cookies. There’s also coffee, juice, water and music. There are soap bubbles, and the most family atmosphere in the whole world. Family Picnic organized by Doctor Piotr Janaszek’s PAY IT FORWARD Foundation is a joyful and colorful sign of upcoming summer holidays. Everyone loves it.

It’s not just a simple picnic at the start of summer holidays. It’s not only a tasting of delicious cakes and a bonfire reaching cloud level where you can find mouthwatering sausages. It’s not only fun and games for children, inflatable slides, facepainting and temporary tattoos found in bubble gum. Above all it is an opportunity for the foundation family to meet. It’s endless conversations, storytelling, reporting on the past school year, mutual support and help. Like at home, like in the family.

- For me, a person who has been a part of Foundation for a short time, things happening here are wonderful, family atmosphere, support, help and kindness is like being as happy as a flea in a doghouse. I love being part of this. I’m not afraid to say that the Foundation is my family. Because this is how we feel, like in a family. My son Bogus loves coming back here. For the first time when he was participating in summer camps organized by the Foundation he experienced things that he will always remember, especially people he met. We thank you with all our hearts for everything – says Ms. Monika. There was a lot of fun, laughter and joy! Everyone found something for themselves. Iwona, Anna, Dorota and the volunteers, as usual, surprised us with their creativity and amazing, good energy.

This year, as in the previous year, the children from Ukraine, Foundation’s charges, also took part in the picnic.

- This is our second picnic together with the Foundation’s charges, and we always admire the atmosphere, how friendly, helpful and close people are to each other. We just feel at home here – said Amelia from Ukraine.

Mrs. Magosia has a son with autism and cannot imagine what their life would look like without the Foundation.

- Our world revolves around the Foundation. It was at the Foundation where we learned to accept what life brings. You can enjoy your life in every situation, and this is what we, parents and our son, have learned over the years thanks to the Foundation. Today, we formed one big support group. The people are fantastic here. I can’t imagine my life without PAY IT FORWARD! – says Magosia.

The picnic brings together families that are associated with the Foundation. There are charges, their families, specialists, therapists, assistants and volunteers. Each of them are doing a truly amazing job at the Foundation. The picnic, apart from being a great opportunity to have fun (soap bubbles and cotton candy broke popularity records this year!), is also an important meeting, conversations, games, competitions, confessions and simply spending time together.  See you on the picnic!

P.S.

Popcorn and cotton candy were served by the volunteers, thanks to our Friends from Smurfit Kappa! You DO know what children like the most! <3

Text by Agata Kaminska-Brice

The most beautiful pictures were done by Mikoaj Kaminski