Italian Comenius Team - Old People's House experience

The Comenius group went to visit the rest home "G. De Benedictis" at the entrance of our town. Very nice it was to see the encounter between different generations, and in a cold day, the idea of ​​organizing the bingo  with all the aged guests worked to break the ice and to hear so many stories where the need for attention and affection clearly emerged.

Students and teachers  brought little gifts to be raffled off during the different steps of the bingo; the  winners were happy with the little presents that will be testifying a day with the students of our school.
The afternoon passed quickly and almost without realizing; each student has made his her sensibility available to the eldelrly to let them spend an afternoon different from the usual with the help of small gestures. Everyone was happy to pose in front of the camera and with the students.
In this visit the bridge between the generations was the bingo; we will try to make a little movie with the pictures taken in order to go and visit one more time  some people who have a great desire to tell about themselves  and to tell their experiences to all those who can get in listened

Students: Nocella Matteo, Tariscella Federico, Pettinaro Sara, Ferratuschi Serena, Serra Nicola, Di Marco Isaac, Ciminà Gabriele ... and teachers: Di Gaspare Fabiola, Di Claudio Denia, Loreto Giovannucci want to thank  the rest home “G. De Benedectis” for the hospitality,  the staff and all the elders who spent the afternoon with the Comenius group allowing us all to grow up for the new experience gained.

A Social Day in Zespół Szkół Spożywczych, Zabrze

                      We celebrated A Social Day on 12th December.

There was a meeting with Ms Hanna Kubica (30 students - 3 students from each class). Ms Kubica is one of the best mediators in Poland. She discussed with students how to build good relations with other students, teachers and parents. She also explained the rules of good communication - a high self-esteem, an ability of listening to other people and etc. 

There were also workshops with Ms Kubica for our Comenius Team and students who are engaged in different Comenius activities. Students could learn more about building self-esteem, coping with stressful life situations and good relations with people.

Ms Anna Gołąbek and her students prepared a display stall where students and teachers could taste delicious and healthy sandwiches. The sandwiches were prepared by Ms Mielczarek and her students. The idea was to promote eating breakfast as the most important meal of the day. Everyone could also take our Comenius newsletter and Christmas cards (made by Magda Figacz from IICT). All the money was donated to charity - Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy (Christmas Help Orchestra)

 
 

German Comenius team - visiting a charity organisation

In November the German Comenius group visited a local charity organisation in order to get to know more about this social project.

The girls at "Die Gütersloher Tafel"

The organisation we visited is called “Die Gütersloher Tafel”. They make use of the fact that supermarkets very often throw away food that actually is still absolutely fine and could be eaten without any problems or health risks. That is why they collect these products from various supermarkets – e.g. dairy products that have just reached the best-before-date but will still be okay for two more weeks, fruit and vegetables with minimal bruises, and sweets that cannot be sold anymore (e.g. after Christmas massed of chocolate) – and store them in a big warehouse. 

Throughout the week they distribute this food all across Gütersloh to people in need who are officially registered for this kind of help. This way a family can save more than 150€ a month on food, which they can consequently use for other items urgently needed. More than 3500 people in the area of Gütersloh profit from this organisation every week. As it is a charity organisation, it depends on donations and voluntary work to organise the collection and distribution of the food.

The amount of food stored in the warehouse

Last week our Comenius team visited the organisation and was informed about the way they work. Only then most of them realised the scale of help that is given here and the huge effort that the volunteers put into this.

We also learned that “Die Gütersloher Tafel” makes it possible to live healthily even if you do not have much money – something that is not easy to manage on unemployment benefit of welfare money alone.

The amount of fresh fruit and vegetables, yoghurt as well as low-fat meat distributed allows the people to have a balanced diet. From time to time even cookery courses are offered to teach the people how to prepare fresh ingredients properly, so that they will not turn to more unhealthy ready-made versions or fast food instead.

Listening to the information we were given

Generally it can be said that all our pupils once again realised how important good food is to enhance the quality of life. Furthermore all of us will probably think twice from now on when they are about to throw away food just because the best-before-date has gone by and not because the food has gone off.  

Polish Comenius Team - Old People's House experience

There were two visits in Old People's House run by St. Camillus Order in Cisowa Street in Zabrze. The first visit took place on 22nd November and the second one on 29th November. What is amazing is the fact that four pupils who do not belong to our Comenius Team wanted to come with us when they had found out about our plans.
People who live there have various health problems and need twenty-four-hour care. They sometimes feel lonely. All students talked with the residents about their lives, the importance of practising some sports not only at school but all life long. Piotrek and Patryk learnt that pupils had four PE lessons per week in Poland in the 1950s. Pupils had to wear white T-shirts and dark blue shorts. Pupils also had to take part in compulsory swimming lessons. Physical condition and being fit was very important at that time in Poland.
Ms Kroemeke (You can see Piotr and Patryk with Ms Kroemeke in the picture) also says that it is crucial to stay fit when being old because it makes your life easier. She wishes all students to be more active and spend less time in front of computers or TV.
Magda Figacz organized embroidery workshops. Magda and Kasia Zimon showed old ladies how to embroider a simple card. You can see their work and the results below. 

 

It was an unforgettable experience for all of us. Our students had to talk to people they hadn't known before. Some residents were open and eager to talk. They talked about life, everyday problems, being lonely. Almost all students are sure they will continue their visits in Old People's House because they know these people need some company. They also know how important it is to feel needed and help those who need care, kind words or just want to talk to or be listened to. 

I would like to thank you for your work and commitment:
Father Director General and Ms Patrycja Dubiel, Ms Anna Gołąbek and  
 all students:  
Piotr Hulin, Paulina Radwańska, Ewelina Pawłowska, Sara Kobylas, Patryk Golonko, Aleksandra Kulińska, Daria Walter, Wiktoria Górecka, 
Angelina Dziaduszek, Magdalena Figacz, Katarzyna Zimon, Joanna Rosada 
and Wiktoria Żaczek.