Disability Rights Poland Project #75258

Build training apartment for people w/disabilities

by Fundacja im. Doktora Piotra Janaszka PODAJ DALEJ/ Doctor Piotr Janaszek PAY IT FORWARD Foundation

Build training apartment for people w/disabilities

Project Report | Sep 24, 2026
A Message to 2076

By Filip Sobieszek | Project Leader

PAY IT FORWARD - time capsule

A Message to 2076: Time Capsule Sealed at Janaszkowo Settlement!

On September 10, construction at Janaszkowo Settlement in Wasosze temporarily came to a halt for a truly special moment. Our Beneficiaries, staff, and Friends of the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation gathered to seal a slice of 2026 into a time capsule. Built directly into the walls of our expanding site, it is set to remain untouched until at least 2076.

The idea sparked spontaneously just a week prior when the main contractor remarked: "This is our last chance to embed something into the structure." Without hesitation, the team decided to leave a meaningful message for those who will stand in this space half a century from now.

Preserving Our Story for the Future

To decide what to hide inside, the Foundation turned to its online community. The goal was not just to archive everyday artifacts from 2026, but to capture the heart and soul of the people behind Janaszkowo Settlement.

The sealed metal container includes:

Two formal letters - one from the Foundation and another from our dedicated volunteers.

A USB drive loaded with photos, videos, and key publications (including the biography of our Patron - "Doctor Piotr: The Life Passions of Piotr Janaszek").

Our mascot, Ibisek the Fox.

Forget-me-not seeds and handcrafted seaside shells inscribed with "PODAJ DALEJ" ("PAY IT FORWARD").

Signed witness statements and small everyday mementos.

"Do the Old Oaks Still Whisper in Janaszkowo?"

The core of the capsule lies in the words written for a generation we have yet to meet.

During the ceremony, Zuzanna Janaszek-Maciaszek, President of the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation, read aloud from the letter:

"Dear Friend from the future... Over 50 years have passed. We do not know what kind of world you see outside your window, how you travel, communicate, or what advances medicine and technology have made. Perhaps things that are mere dreams for us in 2026 are part of your everyday life."

The letter poses heartfelt questions about the future of the haven we are creating: Will the old oak trees still whisper in the wind? Will the park be filled with people? Will laughter and conversation echo through the homes? And will individuals recovering from severe accidents or spinal cord injuries still come here - arriving with doubts, but leaving with renewed confidence and a fresh start in life?

"I want to believe that despite 50 years passing, human core values remain unchanged - the need for connection, dignity, being needed, and the willingness to extend a helping hand to others," shared Zuzanna.

Building a Legacy for Generations

Osada Janaszkowo is rooted in the vision of the late Doctor Piotr, the Foundation’s patron. The capsule ceremony gave supporters a firsthand look at the progress being made on site, with construction scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Once open, the center will provide people with disabilities a safe space to build confidence, gain independence, and prepare for a more self-reliant future:

Training Apartment: Short-term, intensive two-month stays for 6 participants at a time (supporting up to 36 individuals annually). Guided by independent living coaches, residents will develop essential everyday skills and learn how to live as independently as possible.

This Training Apartment is becoming a reality thanks in part to the generosity of donors from around the world. Every contribution brings us one step closer to creating a place where people with disabilities can discover their own strength, build independence, and gain the confidence to shape their future. Together, our global community of supporters is helping turn this vision into a lasting home for growth, dignity, and new possibilities.

Assisted Living Apartments: Cozy, barrier-free permanent housing for 12 individuals with mobility impairments who are ready to live fully independent lives.

As the capsule was permanently embedded into the building's walls, one final message was left for the readers of 2076: Keep passing on what is most precious, and remember that human dignity always comes first.

PAY IT FORWARD - time capsule

Training Apartment under construction

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Jul 16, 2026
Milestones in construction thanks to Your support

By Gabriela Kwarta | Project Leader

Mar 23, 2026
Janaszkowo Settlement: construction progress

By Gabriela Kwarta | Project Leader

Training apartment (under construction)

Spring has arrived in Poland. The sun is shining, birds are singing—and construction machines are hard at work! Thanks to the beautiful weather, the construction of Janaszkowo Settlement is moving forward quickly.

Janaszkowo Settlement

Janaszkowo Settlement (“Osada Janaszkowo”) is a social initiative led by the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation. Its purpose is to create a living environment for people with physical disabilities who want to live as independently as possible while still having access to the support they need.

At its core, it aims to enable residents to live with dignity and independence in a safe, fully accessible place.

The project is being developed in Wasosze, in the Greater Poland region of Poland.

Over the past years, the project has evolved step by step, with new components added over time:

2021 – we launched a modern Rehabilitation Center and a community day-care facility for children with disabilities - co-financed, among others, by Donors from GlobalGiving;
2022 – we established the Independence Park, a unique space where wheelchair users can learn to navigate architectural barriers and develop practical mobility skills;
2025 – we expanded the Rehabilitation Center by creating a Sensory Integration Room, helping children better understand and respond to the world around them.

In mid-2025, we started developing a new part of the project focused on independent living for people with disabilities. This involves:

supported housing for 12 permanent residents with disabilities,
a training program for 36 participants annually, focused on developing independent living skills.

You can help Us Build a Training Apartment

Next to the main complex, a training apartment is under construction. Work is currently underway on the ceiling structure and the elevator shaft.

The training apartment will accommodate six residents at a time. Participants will learn essential daily living skills, wheelchair mobility, and self-care under the guidance of professional instructors—including wheelchair users. The program also includes functional rehabilitation, adaptive sports, therapeutic swimming, personal development, and support in planning an independent future.

Join Us

We believe Janaszkowo Settlement can change lives—but we cannot do this alone.

We’ve raised $1.61M and still need $396K. Help us reach our goal by October 31, 2026. Every donation brings us closer to giving people with disabilities a home, skills, and accessibility they deserve. Your support changes lives.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank everyone who believes in this vision and stands with us to make it happen. Together, we can build a brighter, more independent future.

Rehabilitation Center

Sensory Integration Room

Independence Park

Supported housing (under construction)

Links:

Janaszkowo Settlement. Look what is happening here!

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