At our Foundation, we've known one thing from the beginning: that helping others isn't just about logistics, resources, or material support. It's about people, above all. And the relationships we build with them—sometimes slowly, sometimes instantly, as if we'd known each other forever. These encounters are the heart of our daily work. And although they're often just a fraction of our activities, they're the ones that stick with us the longest. Because sometimes, simply being there is enough.
That's why our greatest strength remains: relationships, connection, and presence. They give meaning to what we do, and that's very important to us. That's when we truly exist. With someone. For someone. Simply put.
Far, yet close
It's not always possible to meet everyone whenever you'd like. Sometimes these meetings are brief, they happen infrequently, but that's what makes them special. They stay in your head and heart. This was the case with the Sisters of Angels, who visited Poland in May. We also managed to donate a few small items for the children and a gas cylinder in case a van carrying "Angel Adventures" to Ukrainian orphans in the middle of nowhere breaks down. A brief moment, but so much joy.
It was similar during our meeting with Sister Dariana – our unsung heroine in Africa. We remain in constant contact – even though thousands of kilometers separate us. But when we managed to meet in Poland, it was an opportunity not only to summarize our activities in Africa but also to simply talk, plan, reminisce, and share our emotions. Sister Dariana's presence on the African continent is more than just cooperation – it's a daily struggle for a better tomorrow for many. Without her, many projects simply wouldn't have gotten off the ground. We've worked together and known each other for a long time – yet each such meeting brings something new, leaves a mark and a promise that, despite the distance, we are together in this aid.
We had another such visit from afar in June. This time, it was from young people from Kazakhstan – Ivan, Eva, and Angelina – who came to Poland with Father Łukasz. We helped them fulfill their dream of visiting the land of their ancestors. This wasn't a typical visit – rather, a journey with deep personal meaning.
Time passes, the relationship continues
Meetings aren't limited to a single group or form of support. They also encompass relationships built over the years – as with former LipCo Foods employees, with whom we've been organizing senior meetings for several years. This year, in Celestynów, we had the opportunity to see each other again. For many of them, it's more than just sentimental. It's a sense of still being part of a community. And they are. We talk, laugh, and reminisce. Sometimes the emotion is overwhelming. Such meetings remind us that this isn't just the past – it's a living, important, and mutual bond.
In Koluszki, we attended a family picnic to celebrate Children's Day, organized by our friend PetRepublic. There was also a lot of talking, laughing, and having fun, but all in an atmosphere of genuine collaboration and relationships that continue into everyday life. These aren't just casual encounters.
Meeting with Eugenia and young patients
It was something extraordinary. When we met Eugenia in Warsaw – the disheveled, bird-like hero from the Pink Island (or, more precisely, with the children at Brudziński Hospital during a workshop led by Karolina Honchera), the emotions were intense and very real. This was possible thanks to our collaboration. Karolina invited the children into a world of imagination, color, and tenderness. We were fortunate to be part of this experience. It was an encounter – with childlike strength, gentleness, and hope. And again – a brief moment, but it left a profound impression.
Different people, different places – one meaning
Relationships are built over time – through continuity, attention, and listening. This was also the case during meetings with the Po Drugie Foundation, with whom we collaborate on support for youth experiencing homelessness. We provide food, but not only that. Together with volunteers from Univar Solutions, we made homemade preserves that the Po Drugie Foundation's beneficiaries can enjoy on long evenings (not just winter ones). And when we realized we needed a freezer, we simply bought one. It seems like a small detail – but it's the details that make up everyday life.
We also visited the WTZ Piaseczno center. A visit – ordinary and important at the same time. Simply – to spend time together, get to know each other better, listen. Because just because we support someone doesn't mean we know everything about them. On the contrary – only then is it worth getting closer.
A few weeks later, we were in Brańszczyk at the invitation of the Drabina Jakubowa Foundation. First, they visited us at our foundation space, then (a month and a half later), we visited them during a retreat. For some time now, we've been supporting them with food – providing our chickens – and what we create during barbecues is, as they say, a "culinary feast." Most importantly, we were able to meet the people who truly benefit from this support: the people we support, the volunteers, and those who work there every day. We went for ice cream together, there were conversations, warm smiles, a barbecue, and the final of the football league. It sounds simple – but it stays with us. The opportunity to meet those we help always brings us great joy and emotion.
What really remains
We exist to be close to people – ready to act wherever needed. The meetings we've had – with missionaries in Africa, with communities in Ukraine, with families in difficult situations, with seniors, with sick children, with partners, with individuals no one else noticed, and many others – aren't just checkboxes. They're a network of relationships that, over time, create something greater – trust, a sense of support. That's why relationships are fundamental to us. Without them, we wouldn't be the Uszwirlamy Foundation. We want to see faces, know stories, and hear voices. And, of course, be there when someone truly needs us. Because help begins with connection. The rest are just tools. All meetings are meaningful. That's something that truly sticks.
A relationship is not a one-time event
It's impossible to list all the encounters. Nor can they be captured in a single framework. These relationships vary in nature, form, and emotional impact. But—both those in Poland and those far away—they have one common denominator. They're not an addition to our work. They're part of it. Sometimes they stir something within us. Sometimes they remind us why we're doing this. And sometimes they simply bring us simple joy. And that's wonderful.
Relationships are our strength. They build. They inspire. They give us more than can be measured or documented. Every encounter changes us. And reminds us that we are not just an organization. We are people. With people. For people.