By Agata Studnicka | Senior Partnership Specialist
Hidden poverty– it doesn't give us serenity
Poland is a country of inequality. There is a gap between the richest Warsaw and the poorest regions of Poland.The difference in income is huge, even though the basic products and electricity or gas fees are similar throughout the country.There is a financial gap between Poles living in poverty and the inhabitants of the richest cities. Families included in the Noble Gift in 2023 had an average amount of PLN 17 per day per person.
The story of Karol
Karol worked in many places, also abroad. As an adult, he helped his mother. And suddenly there was an accident - a head injury. Several surgeries and rehabilitation did not help him. The neurological consequences have caused him problems in reading, writing and speaking. He has PLN 247 per month to live. He uses this money to support himself and his animals. He has cats and a dog - which lost one leg due to an infection. He dreamed of a warm jacket and winter boots. “To use the bathroom or kitchen, I have to go to my family who lives nearby. "I only have sneakers, and my feet get cold in them." – he says.When volunteers from Szlachetna Paczka entered his small apartment with packages, he couldn’t say anything - strong emotions were written on his face.
The working poor Poles
The problem is not the lack of work, but working for low wages. Taking into account the prices of products, services, rents and apartment rentals, work is not always able to provide us with a decent life. Poor people, contrary to stereotypes, are often not unemployed, but work, but in low-paid positions.This is important because, as shown by the results of the survey conducted by Noble Gift in 2021, most of us still use harmful stereotypes about the poorest people. For us, a poor person is most often someone who is hungry, sick and homeless.
According to estimates of the Ministry of Labor, in 2024 as many as 3.6 million people in Poland will work for the so-called the lowest national amount of PLN 4,242 gross (i.e. PLN 3,221.98 net). In 2021, it was more than twice as much.
13.7% of Poles are at risk of poverty, which means that they live on the verge of poverty.Even though inflation in Poland has slowed down, high product prices will stay with us for longer. Additionally, from April 1, the zero VAT rate on food was abolished. The average Polish family will spend several dozen zlotys more on food per month, perhaps not even feeling this change much. For a family living in a difficult financial situation, this will mean the need to limit shopping or decide whether they can afford a hot meal.
A analysis carried out on request of teh Noble Gift shows that 3% of Poles cannot afford basic products. 5% do not buy meat, fish and fruit. 7% of Poles cannot afford current utility bills and they live without heating, and 8% have problems with paying rent.Purchasing prescripted drugs is problem for 8% of people, and 17% will not buy prescription glasses for financial reasons. Almost half of Poles cannot afford to use private healthcare - they are unable to pay for a visit to a doctor outside the National Health Fund.
The story of Matylda
The pandemic hit this family like a hurricane and left them in ruins. First, there was the fight for her parents' health, which Matylda fought alone. They both lost their jobs then. Then a battle for the health of her daughter, who is allergic to fungus growing in almost every corner of the house. Finally, her body gave out too. Long-delayed dental treatment, for which she had no money, led to the loss of all her teeth. She stopped smiling. Even when she has reasons to do so, because she is really proud of her children.Julia and Bartek are great students. They are motivated by their mother, who decided to get her secondary school certificate at the age of 35. She wanted to be the first person in her family to have it. She dreams to write books. Life brings her so many ideas and stories that she fills her drawers with them. Julia, a fan of crime stories, passed on this passion for books. They can hold discussions for hours about the books they have read.
The cost of treating one tooth is PLN 2,000. Matylda only has PLN 710 to survive for a month. For years, she saved small amounts from this modest income so that she could later have some money for emergencies. – You can't control your health, you can't predict illness. I denied myself to take care of my loved ones. My teeth may not be the most important thing, but I want to get them done eventually. To at least have a prosthesis and go out in public without shame again. I don't feel like a woman without them, she reveals. – I can't say that I grit my teeth and manage, because I don't have any teeth. So I clench my fists and get on with life somehow, says Matylda.
Hidden poverty - invisible, yet present in the richest cities
During the last edition of Noble Gift reached 4,740 people from the top five richest cities in Poland: in Warsaw, 2,169 people received help, in Sopot 34, in Wrocaw 1,186, in Katowice 303, and in Poznan 1,048. In the last edition, the Noble Gift helped to over 17 thousand families, including people living in cities considered the richest. Even though the inhabitants of these cities have the greatest purchasing power, people in need coexist with them, often unnoticed.
The story of Anna and Jerzy
Anna and Jerzy are an elderly couple living in one of Warsaw's districts, which is considered the richest. Despite their husband's illness, they are very independent. Jerzy has been suffering from Alzheimer's for several years, and his wife takes care of him. Age and illness complicated them due to old age, but Anna believes that fate did not spare them either when cancer took away their daughter, who was a great support for them. Sometimes, on her husband's better days, when the disease has fewer symptoms, Anna manages to visit a club for retirees, where she finds companions and has someone to talk to. The most difficult thing is when everyday life requires them to use physical strength - they live on the third floor without a lift.
The Family budget is really small PLN 2,500, which after deducting monthly costs of PLN 1,220 leaves PLN 640 of income per family member. Each day they spend together brings them joy, because despite Jerzy's progressive Alzheimer's disease, Anna believes that they still have each other. They appreciate every help in life, not only material, but also small gestures, smiles and human kindness, for example in helping them cross a street that is being renovated. They dream that life will not bring any more suffering.
This is how we help - the Noble Gift 2023
Thank you for supporting us and believe in our program! With you we are able to make real miracles!
With a lot of gratitude <3
The Noble Gift Team
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