Other | Fundacja HumanDOC

People write letters… and we raise funds!

kris — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:45:00 +0000

The HumanDoc team is working to create an extraordinary platform for writing… letters. In an era of short and quick text messages, sending someone a paper correspondence in a beautiful setting can be a wonderful surprise for a special occasion. All the more so because this return to the charms of traditional mail will involve donating money to the charitable and pro-social activities of our foundation.

The project entitled. “The Fundraising Letters Platform” we are developing as part of a micro-budget allocated to us by the organisations: Mercy Corps and American Red Cross.

How does it work?

– Personalised lists

Users can choose from templates of graphics and content for different occasions or enter their own messages. This makes each letter unique and personal.

– Traditional mail

A letter to a loved one for a special occasion will be able to be sent both digitally and traditionally, thanks to the option of preparing a printout.

– Supporting social campaigns

Immediately after creating the letter, the sender will be able to choose the amount of money to support the work of our foundation. They will do so using popular and secure payment methods such as STRIPE, PayU or PayPal.

The Fundraising Letters Platform will not only make communication between people regain its former charm and quality, but, above all, it will contribute to the involvement of individuals in the pro-social activities that our Foundation carries out.

Poland and Kenya: Building Bridges of Understanding

kris — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:00:06 +0000

When we think of Africa, images of deserts, wild nature, and complex social challenges often come to mind. Stereotypes can strongly influence how we perceive this continent. But what does it look like from the other side? What does an average Kenyan think of Poland? Does our country evoke winter landscapes, “polar bears” roaming the streets, or… something entirely different?For us at HumanDOC, the answer to these questions is more than just a curiosity—it is the key to building authentic relationships based on understanding and respect. Through a project we are running in Kenya, we aim to bring our worlds closer together, moving beyond media stereotypes.

This approach lies at the core of our philosophy: Design Optimal Change, where people, community, and shared problem-solving are our main focus.

How do we operate?

We want to understand how Poland and Poles are portrayed in Kenyan media. Together with researchers from the University of Opole and consultants from Kenya, we are analysing articles, television programs, and online content to identify the prevailing opinions about our country. This allows us to pinpoint where emphasis should be placed, and which stereotypes we can work together to overcome.

The next step is to invite Kenyan journalists to Poland. During their visit, we aim to show them our reality up close—taking them to the places where the everyday life of Polish cities and towns unfolds, sharing our culture, and above all, creating a space for genuine exchange. It’s not about “educating” them but about showing Poland in its natural light, as it truly is.

Campaign in Kenya

The experiences gathered by the journalists during their study visit will serve as the foundation for creating an information campaign in Kenyan media. Our goal is to ensure that the message about Poland is not only accurate but also tailored to what is meaningful to the Kenyan audience. We want to create a campaign that resonates with their daily lives, aspirations, and real interests. Working alongside Kenyan journalists, including those in the Association of Grassroot Journalists Kenya (AGJK), we strive to craft content that will thoughtfully and genuinely bring our communities closer together.

Why does all of this matter?

Mutual understanding is the foundation of global education, which underpins our project. Kenya is becoming an increasingly important economic and tourism partner for us, as well as a source of students and professionals coming to Poland. Mutual understanding is essential if we want collaboration between our countries to flourish in a spirit of respect and coexistence. By implementing a project focused on education and breaking stereotypes, we aim for true interpersonal connections, believing that by doing so, we create a space for a safer and more open world for everyone.

Global Understanding – Local Security

The HumanDOC project is part of our work in global education—a concept aimed at fostering understanding between countries of the Global South and the Global North. Such initiatives allow us, despite distances and cultural differences, to build a sense of global community and security, which are the foundations for peaceful international cooperation.

As a result of the project, we developed a Kenyan media monitoring report entitled Poland in Kenyan Media Spaces, by: Adam Drosik, Prof. UO, Grzegorz Haber, PhD, Patrycja Hejdak, MA.

Read the report

Read the final report

Project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland as part of the “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 – European Dimension and Counteracting Disinformation” competition.

Project title: Project “Transcontinental Dialogues: Poland in Kenyan Media Spaces” (Module 1)

Project funding source: Financed from the state budget under the competition of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland “Public Diplomacy 2024‑2025 – European Dimension and Counteracting Disinformation”

Funding amount: PLN 160,900.00

Brief project description: The project “Transcontinental Dialogues: Poland in Kenyan Media Spaces” aims to counter disinformation and improve Poland’s image in Kenya. Key activities include media monitoring to identify false narratives and arranging a study visit to Poland for Kenyan journalists, which will help build lasting relationships and promote reliable information.

Project title: Project “Transcontinental Dialogues: Poland in Kenyan Media Spaces” (Module 2)

Funding amount: PLN 250,000.00

Brief project description: The project “Transcontinental Dialogues: Poland in Kenyan Media Spaces” aims to counter disinformation and enhance Poland’s image in Kenya. Key activities include media monitoring to identify false narratives, preparation of a monitoring report in Polish and English, a media campaign in Kenya, and a concluding conference in Nairobi, all of which will foster lasting relationships and promote reliable information.

Culture, Tradition, and Integration on the Costa Blanca

kris — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:15:14 +0000

Culture, Tradition, and Integration on the Costa Blanca

The “Polish Costa – Events for the Polish Community on Spain’s Southern Coast” project is a unique initiative aimed at the Polish community in the Torrevieja region, one of the largest concentrations of Poles on the Costa Blanca. Key elements of the project include the “Polish on the Costa Blanca” Photography Contest and Independence Day celebrations, which will take the form of a beach picnic. These events aim to connect tradition with modernity, integrate the local Polish community, and promote Polish culture among both Poles and the local Spanish population.

“Polish on the Costa Blanca” Photography Contest

The contest aims to capture the lives of Poles on the Costa Blanca and present it through photography. The themes include landscapes, everyday life, and the culture of this region as seen from the perspective of Polish residents. The event will culminate in an exhibition of the winning entries at a local museum, providing an opportunity for both Poles and people of other nationalities to discover the unique way in which the Polish community perceives Costa Blanca. This exhibition will not only be a meeting place but also a space for intercultural dialogue.

Independence Chillout on the Beach

The celebration of Independence Day is the second pillar of the “Polish Costa” project. In November, the Polish community living in Spain will have the opportunity to celebrate this important day together in an informal beach picnic setting. Organizers will provide traditional Polish snacks, a barbecue, music, and interactive educational games that will introduce participants to Polish history and traditions. The picnic will be open to everyone—Poles, Spaniards, and other nationalities—encouraging the building of relationships and intercultural understanding.

Why Is This Important?

The “Polish Costa” project is significant for Poles living in Spain because it helps them maintain their national identity, preserve traditions, and build connections with other compatriots. For many Poles living abroad, participating in such events is an opportunity to remember where they come from, while for younger generations, it’s a chance to learn about Polish culture and history, which can sometimes be forgotten in everyday life abroad.

Building the Image of Poles in Spain

In a region where Poles are often mistaken for people from other Slavic countries, organizing such events becomes an opportunity to assert Polish identity and cultural distinctiveness. It’s not only an occasion for celebration but also an opportunity to educate the local community about Poland and its traditions. The project helps build a positive image of Poles, showing them as an integrated, active community that contributes to the local cultural life.

Support for Polish Community Organizations

The “Polish Costa” project also supports the development of local Polish community organizations that are just beginning their activities. Thanks to collaboration with the HumanDoc Foundation, they gain valuable experience in organizing cultural events and international cooperation. Strengthening these structures will help the Polish community better organize and engage in local activities, which in the future will contribute to further integration of Poles in Spain and strengthen their position in society.

The mentioned events have a long-term impact on building a strong, integrated Polish community that can jointly celebrate its culture and pass it on to future generations. In this way, Poles on the Costa Blanca can not only nurture their heritage but also share it with the residents of Spain and tourists from around the world.

PROJECT FUNDED BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND IN THE “POLONIA AND POLES ABROAD 2024 – EVENTS AND INITIATIVES” COMPETITION