Sharing experience

There once were four friends who decided to undertake an unconventional enterprise in their town under the Sub-Action 1.2 of the Youth in Action Programme. Adam, Apolonia (Pola), Michaś and Kacper are a group of young people, who owing to their knowledge and enthusiasm created an initiative which pleases and inspires others. Each of them has contributed something of their own to the project. Adam was “the brain” and the driving power of the activity. While volunteering in Germany he worked at an institution conducting occupational therapy workshops. With a little effort and will he managed to bring to Poland a ceramics baking stove - non-operating at the time. Pola instantly fell in love with this craft and currently runs workshops and cares for the ceramics studio. Michaś embodies in the project a component of enterprise, making it run more efficiently and effectively. Kacper, on the other hand, as his friends state, has this "something” and makes full use of it in the realization of joint enterprises.

Pola: We are connected with one thing – each of us has a vision, wants to correct something, improve, give to others what s/he for various reasons couldn’t once find themselves. Each of us is a social worker in their own way and this is our common feature. Opposites attract – that’s how it was with us.

Michaś: I have known the majority of the people for many years, we have numerous common enterprises on our account. We had an opportunity to prove ourselves in different situations, that’s why we enthusiastically took another challenge together. Although we make up a cohesive group, each of us brings in their own individualism, without which it would be difficult to cope. I love them for it!

The project „The lens will change our view of the world” is an initiative which apart from the camera includes ceramics as a means of artistic expression. Young people under the supervision of specialists – a journalist and a photographer – learn about their town from a very different view. Ceramics constitutes fulfillment of the picture. Some photograph, others mould what has just been photographed. In this way, among others, an unusual ceramic bedside lamp inspired by an old factory chimney was created, as well as a candle holder being a reflection of a long forgotten factory, a clock imitating the shape of a gear wheel and many, many other items. An important element of the project were excursions during which the youth could photograph anything they encountered on their way.
The beginnings were not easy – space was needed, where workshops and meetings could be held. The interest in the classes, first ceramics then photographic, was so great that the meeting place had to hold a really big group. Luckily with their help came the teachers, parents of the initiators and other people amazed by the project. 

Source of the photos: Polish National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme

Pola: The person, who undoubtedly combined us into a harmonious  team was Ela Duda (my class master at secondary school). Each of us knew Ela from a different “source", she infected each of us with the initiative bug.

Adam: Kacper’s mum, Gosia, helped us in financial questions of the project connected with ceramics. Currently she often helps us in matters which we are not always able to deal with ourselves. We were also given a meaningful amount of support from a District Club “Kaesemek”, whose great workers (among them photographers and journalists) help us running the workshops. We learn photography techniques, especially the “gum” technique, a befriended journalist shows the participants how to behave during a report. If it wasn’t for Mr Wiesław Turno – a known and valued photographer and the Club “Kaesemek”, we wouldn’t have a place to go. Now we have our place.

The project benefits a lot of young people who, fascinated by photography and ceramics, drop by at “Kaesemek” every day. At the club there is always clatter, conversations never die out, you can feel positive energy in the air, one that facilitates springing of new ideas. Asking the participants why they attend the workshops, I heard that it was constructive, fills their afternoons in an interesting way, gives them satisfaction, teaches a lot of new things and allows collective time spending.

Pola: There is no way not to mention (from the perspective of a young psychologist, observer) about the huge emotional development of the participants of the workshops, their enthusiasm, engagement, motivation and constant flow of new ideas. And this: “thank you for the opportunity” of theirs... I think there is no need to comment on that.

The initiative of the young people introduced a lot of novelties into the life of a small town of świętokrzyskie. A forgotten craft became popular once more and the town gained a few young reporters. This initiative allowed to make “the first step", to show the youth a fascinating way of life.

Adam: A broadly perceived idea of activity is in a sense a way of life to me. I’ve always been active, I cared about changing my environment even through little enterprises – the activity in itself was the most important. The program gave me a chance to realize something bigger, more conspicuous. I hope that the success of our two projects will encourage others to activeness. The most important things are good ideas and a little willingness to change something. 
 

Looking at them and their creation I have no doubt that the activeness of this group (with a capital A) will bring the local community a lot more benefits. All this thanks to youth, energy and enthusiasm as well as self improvement and fighting weaknesses. As Pola says: “an ever-present Eureka!””. That’s how I will remember Końskie. I planned to ask where the name of the group “A volcano of opportunity” came from but after a few moments of our meeting everything became clear.

Michaś: And I will finally add that each of us probably bears ‘initiative' as their second name. 
That would probably be it ;) 
 

Source of the photo: Polish National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme