Redzynskie

Poland

Working in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity NGO

 

For the second year, Somfy Poland and Somfy Foundation have joined forces with the NGO Habitat for Humanity to make it possible for a poorly housed family to live in decent conditions. In 2017, Somfy Poland teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to support a family of eight members, with 6 children aged 2 to 13 in Redzynskie. The family lives in a dilapidated house, located in a village in the east of Warsaw, with only one living room of approximately 20 m2, no kitchen and no bathroom

Overcrowded housing : a form of inadequate and unhealthy housing

Overcrowding has a lasting impact on the lives of families and the path of their children.

Different problems are caused by a lack of living space especially a lack of intimacy and the impossibility of being alone. People who live in overcrowded housing have difficulty to find quiet time needed for their personal development.

Living in an overcrowded space is a source of stress and favors illnesses such as anxiety or problems linked to poor ventilation and hygiene conditions. The members of a family living in a crowded space also transmit their infections to one another more easily.

 

Family life impacted by overcrowded housing

Agata and Mirosław live with their 6 children (aged 2 to 13) in half of a house in a village near Mińsk Mazowiecki (Central Poland). Their current living space consists of just one midsize room, which serves as a dining room, bedroom, living room and study room for the children. There is no bathroom or real kitchen (just a sink and oven). Agata explains that the current conditions are particularly difficult for children: "they grow up and need more space. Right now, it's hard for them to do their homework - when one tries to read, another wants to play, and so on."

Habitat for Humanity Poland along with the Somfy Foundation and Somfy Poland are working together to improve the living conditions of this family since April 2017.

 

Working on the construction site shoulder to shoulder with Habitat Poland and the family

Financial sponsorship and hands-on help to support a family living in precarious circumstances

Like all projects included in the program A House is A Home, the support for this Polish family combines financial sponsorship – a grant of €10,000 given by Somfy Foundation and Somfy Poland – and hands-on help, so in the first half of the year, around 100 hours of on-site solidarity support has been given by Somfy teams from all over Eastern Europe.

At the first stage of the build over 160 volunteers have supported the family including:

• 17 Somfy volunteers have donated their time in carrying out the structural work, which included pouring a concrete floor and installing joists. Each of volunteers took time out to chat with the family and gain a better understanding of their living conditions. “The end of the day was very emotional,” recalls Yilmaz Ozturan, Somfy employee. “A lot of us had a lump in our throats and tears in our eyes. And everyone left ready to roll up their sleeves again next year.”

• participants of the Global Village program from USA, Canada and Australia, Switzerland, Austria

• employees of several corporations and young professionals associated with the architectural and construction industry

 

Emotion & Solidarity

The build of the fundaments of the new house to create better living conditions for one family

Better living conditions for a family

With the help of Habitat for Humanity, the family of Mirosław and Agata will be able to live in better conditions. The renovations will improve housing conditions for the family and learning conditions for kids and strengthen the dignity and entrepreneurship of beneficiaries. The project involves extension of the old house and creation of additional bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen.

In spring 2018 it will be the final stage of the build in Redzynskie. Somfy employees will be invited for further cooperation !

 

Commitment

SOMFY POLAND

 

”Somfy Poland aims to be good corporate citizen in our local community. We strongly believe that our actions can make the difference to the environment, the society and - as shown by our participation in project conducted by Habitat for Humanity in Redzyńskie – to one particular family.

For me one thing is sure: I will never forget that day. By improving living conditions of Agata, Mirosław and their children we proved that “Somfy Building Happiness” slogan works. And that is what I am really proud of.”

Aleksandra Pyziak, Marketing Manager Somfy

"Good for good. In 2017, we decided not to spend money for teambuilding, but instead dedicate one day of our time and some money in an “A House is a Home” initiative in Redzyńskie.

All of us having participated, we are of the same opinion that it was very effective team building with a lot of positive moments: cooperation, smile, synergy, help, support and of course team spirit.

We were very effective because we completed more tasks in construction of the house than it was expected. In the end, the smile on faces of Agata, Mirosław and their children was the best reward for this initiative."

Anna Staniewska, BA Eastern Europe HR Manager Somfy

    • Aleksandra PYZIAK

      Marketing Manager Somfy

    • Anna Staniewska

      BA Eastern Europe HR Manager Somfy