“There are no children – there are people.” Janusz Korczak
First Meeting
In 2024, we had the opportunity to conduct workshops as part of the campaign “Creativity as the Key to Resourcefulness” at the Children’s Home in Kalisz. During these sessions, we introduced children to the world of creativity using our notebook “LEMKA in the Element of Saving.” Participants received their own notebooks, and together we sketched their first ideas for the future. It was one of the first educational initiatives within the non-formal educational activities of the LEM Project, through which we teach children and young people how to live lean – avoiding waste and protecting what is most valuable: time, money, and energy.
Getting to Know Each Other Further
During this year’s meeting, we spoke with the children about their passions and dreams, and about how these can be transformed into real actions – and even into ways of earning a living.An especially valuable element was an online connection with Erkan from Turkey, who spoke with the children in English. For them, it was not only an interesting experience, but also strong motivation to learn foreign languages and to talk about travel, independence, and openness to the world. Workshop participants were also invited to take part in a competition for the most creative idea for the future. The submission deadline was the end of January.
On the same day, we also met with young people with disabilities at the Special Educational and Care Center No. 1 in Kalisz. We conducted sessions with three groups: two vocational preparation classes and one industry-focused class.
The Atmosphere of the Meetings
The young people were very open, engaged, and eager to talk – especially about creativity and planning their future. At this school as well, we announced a competition for the most creative development of future ideas. Our meetings are not only about sharing knowledge, but above all about building inspiration, courage to dream, and motivation to develop one’s talents. We believe these experiences will stay with the young people for a long time.
Words of Gratitude
The workshops were made possible thanks to the tremendous support of the Directors of the Children’s Home in Kalisz and the Special Educational and Care Center No. 1 in Kalisz. Children and young people were able to experience new developmental situations along with the emotions and challenges that come with them. In such moments, they have the opportunity to meet new people who offer them new perspectives. In the opinion of Dr. Monika Zadłużna, continuous learning – through knowledge and relationships – is a path of development. What matters is constant change, including change in one’s developmental paths.
Closing Words
As the LEM PROJECT, we would like to sincerely thank everyone who was part of this initiative. At the same time, we are actively seeking sponsors and partners who would like to support the implementation of further workshops in similar institutions. Every form of support is a real investment in development, self-confidence, and the future of young people. From our experience, we know that creativity is born not from abundance, but from the courage to act despite limitations. That is why we support youth in children’s homes through non-formal education and seek partners in this mission. Social development remains in synergy with economic development in the long term.
It is always worth taking innovative action towards development!
Are you interested in organizing workshops for young people from a children’s home or a youth care center in your local area? Feel free to contact me!
“I was not aware of the extent that indifference to the extraordinary has reached in our times” Stanisław Lem
[1] Zadłużna M., Ph.D. disertation „The rol of the intellectual capital in the energy sector company”, University of Economy, Poznan, 2016. p. 38.