Poland
Developmental stimulation for handicapped, challenged and ill children
Warsaw region
Ośrodek Wczesnej Interwencji, an Early Intervention Center in Warsaw, offers complex diagnosis, specialized family counselling services and individual therapy by expert psychologists, physiotherapists, logopaedians and educators for children experiencing delayed or irregular development such as speech defects, or who are mentally handicapped.
Some 1 800 children were treated at the center during 2017, of which 600 use permanent therapy every week. These young patients, who are under the age of 7 years, also use the sensory garden at the centre for various forms of stimulation.
The Aspen Poland team enhanced this facility by refreshing the sensory path and they also created a phonic structure from pipes. In addition, they also replaced the sensory fence, build a new swing and created a colorful installation that stimulates sight, touch and hearing.
Region 1
A team of 7 employees from this region supported the Dom Dziecka Orphanage by taking 21 children and their teacher to the Wroclaw Zoo and provided them with a delicious lunch.
Region 2
Anielisko, a place where angels meet, located in Łódź, serves as an orphanage and a safe home for 12 children who are experiencing a difficult family environment.
Seven colleagues from the Łódź region spent the day with the children at the Anieliesko Community centre where they played games and enteretained them with an interactive drumming session. They also donated a much-needed couch to the centre which will certainly be put to good use.
The team were overwhelmed by the gratitude of the children who desire little more in life than a place of safety, some love and attention and the opportunity to feel wanted and appreciated. Their response of joy to the day of fun was priceless.
Region 3
The Stowarzyszenie Youth Centre in Chrobrego cares for the needs of about 50 boys and girls aged 10 to 15 years. The team from this region spent an incredible day with the children who decorated their own t-shirts, played games and enjoyed being entertained in the gardens of the centre.
Region 4
Podkarpackie Hospice for Children Foundation in Rzeszów was the first Polish facility of its kind established exclusively to provide care for children with cancer and other incurable and progressive illnesses.
The number of youngest patients receiving hospice care is growing annually due to the increased awareness about the benefits of palliative care.
Approximately 50 children aged 3 to 18 are cared for at the hospice. The team from Aspen Poland’s Region 4 supported the children by purchasing swings for the playgrounds in addition to painting and repairing the existing equipment that is available to them to enjoy outdoors.