The reading therapeutic benefits

I have always enjoyed reading. This is one of my biggest passions. While reading a book I  let my imagination fly over the actions that take place inside the story creating my characters and environment. For me reading is a pleasure, but in general it seems to be more than this – it can have therapeutic benefit as well. The name of the therapy through reading is named “Biblio Therapy”. For nine months I attended the classes of the Biblio Therapy lead by a great therapist Monica Dębska who was the person who came with the idea for organizing this therapy in Helenow. 

I am very interested in this activity and I find it very useful for the children from the therapeutic group because during the lesson children develop their voluntary attention, their listening, they comment around the read story. Every time the therapist chooses some tales with a strong morality. So, at the end of every class students achieve new life lessons, very useful for living in society.
The Biblio Therapy takes place once per week and every session lasts for one hour. At the therapy participate six students, but it depends on the situation, sometimes there are more, sometimes less. Attending this therapy there can be noticed a big amount of changes regarding their communications with the therapist and colleagues; after some sessions it’s easier to understand what the students feel and what are their emotions and desires. Children trust more in themselves and don’t feel alone and sad.

At the end of the conversation Monica wished for everyone to let yourselves be lead by the mystery of the fairytales. Life is complicated enough by itself and sometimes we should give freedom to our dreams to lead us to a better life. 


Thank you Phillippe Louis :)!

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Music Therapy at Helenów

Inside my EVS project, I have had the possibility to attend some very interesting Music Therapy classes. At the end of every activity I and the students really feel different: more relaxed, with a better disposition, more optimistic, and full of positive energy taken from the music, also from the wonderful therapist and my colleagues. For more details of how these classes of Music Therapy work at Helenów I asked the therapist Bożena Ignut.

Diana: Tell me please about the Music Therapy classes organized for the group of students from Helenów.
Bożena Ignut: This activity takes place for one hour per week. In the first half of the session we sing together the songs we like the most, we play and dance. Due to the music at the lesson students develop their perception of hearing, touching, and seeing. We arrange ourselves in circles, we take ourselves by the hands and we feel each other’s power and energy. Students are expressing their emotions freely.  In the last part of the lesson students are listening to one song (from the classical music repertory); they are given a subject to think about then they are sharing their thoughts and feelings. At the end of the lesson we are relaxing, breathing and stretching our muscles.  

Diana: Who had the idea of organizing the Music Therapy classes in Helenów?
Bożena Ignut: Our Director (Mme Beata) had the great idea of organizing Music Therapy classes in Helenów. After we had a discussion around this issue I was encouraged to and received the permission to choose the group of students for the therapy classes. My students love all of the activities planned and organized for the therapy. They feel free during the lessons as they try to express their feeling and emotions. 

Diana: How many students participate in the therapy?
Bożena Ignut: In this year there are involved inside this therapy six children. But I am called by many parents who ask me to subscribe their children as well for this therapy; for this to happen I need more hours from the management board.
 
Diana: What are the results of this therapy in Helenów?
Bożena Ignut: Students became more open-minded, they easily expressed their feelings, they shared with the others their emotions and changed theiremotions of sadness to those of happiness. Their trust in themselves increased considerably and they could leave outside their emotions of disability that are very deeply hidden in their souls. Students are more creative and have the possibility to participate inside many music contests where they take top places for their talent and training. 

Diana: What are your wishes for the readers?
Bożena Ignut: That music will help us to share and think about our emotions. Listening to the music we feel more relaxed and fulfilled with energy and mood for living our lives. I wish everyone a good relaxed and happy life!

Diana: Thank you.


Many thanks to Phillippe Louis :)

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Silent night, holy night...

After  weeks  full of work, responsibilities and concerns, Christmas becomes like a fresh sweet shower that has the main aim to fulfill our souls with positive energy, hope, love, trust and the power to go further, knowing that we have good support at every step (people that love and care about us). The beauty of this holiday is that it manages to gather families all together: members of the family that we haven`t seen for a long time, parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.  that makes us better, and more empathetic as well. 

This year, I decided to experience my first Christmas away from home, inside a wonderful Polish family from Warsaw, near whom I felt the power of love, solidarity and local Christmas traditions. I was very happy and touched when my friend Hanka invited me to spend this saint holiday with them (this happened some weeks before Christmas). At the beginning I thought that I would probably feel like an “intruder” during the evening (because I didn’t know all her family members, I had met only her mother once), but my friend’s family behaved with me as if I had been their member for a long time, I felt so comfortable and positive (especially when I spoke with the Hanka’s grandmothers, a fact that increased my hankering after my own grandparents and so I called them laterJ).

They put a lot of soul and passion in preparing the house and the table for this special event: there was a nicely decorated Christmas tree (with sweetsJ), there you could hear beautiful carols and smell good food.

Regarding their Christmas food I can say that we ate in that evening a lot, they had so many types of food like: barszcz z uszkami (a traditional red soup), bigos (cabbage and mushrooms), pierogi z grzybami i kapustą, filety z dorsza (cod fillets), śledź w oleju (herring in oil), szprotki (a kind of fish), sałatka warzywna (salad from vegetables), kompot z suszu (boiled fruits with water);  for sweets they prepared: makowiec, sernik, piernik, rafaello, pierniczki. I also prepared a Moldavian traditional food for Christmas – sarmale – J (it gave me lots of troubles, but in the end I managed to cook it).

This holy evening had many good surprises for everyone of us. You could feel the delight from far away, everyone was happy (even their cat and dog). Of course, I missed my family a lot in those moments, but I didn’t regret at all that I decided to taste this year from the Christmas Polish culture.  

PS: Thank you very much Louis Phillippe.

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Polish Evening in Warsaw

It’s amazing how the winter holidays arrival can make people happier, more empathic, creative and full of good energy with the will to endow the light of hope in others hearts and minds. Last week, on Saturday, I met two of these energetic persons (who managed to spread their good mood and enthusiasm) - Justyna Frydrych and Kamil Rzepecki. They implemented a small but very nice project with the name “Lately Polish your Polish”, having as beneficiaries current and past EVS volunteers from abroad and from Poland (one of those lucky persons was MEJ). The aim of this project was to gather present and past volunteers who are working/ have worked in Poland and create for them good conditions to share some practices and knowledge; also to let them taste from the Polish culture once again.

The activity took part inside a nice peaceful place, but one that was quite well hidden through the buildings, not far from the metro station Gdansk, in Warsaw, of course. It took some time to find it, even for Sergiu Brovinski - the best “map specialist”:P. Although most of the invited persons got a bit lost, in the end, all of them arrived safely at the destination point – Herba Thea (I was asking in the street about this place, and the people thought that I was trying to buy some tea and I was searching for a supermarketJ).

At this event I met with volunteers that I`d already known before, having met them during some other activities, also I met new friends nearby with whom I had enjoyed the whole evening.

One of the most interesting parts, that I liked the most, was the fascinating performance of the Warsaw School of Economics folk group. It was really great! They were dressed in a Polish traditional outfit, singing and dancing some works from their traditions; and also they involved all of us in their program. I liked a lot dancing in a “Polish way”. After the performance we savoured a traditional Polish meal with “barszcz” and “pierogi” and had a long talk, then after that, we went out clubbingJ.

That evening was great; it represented the beginning of a new period full of nice surprises and the start of a good news week.

PS: Special thanks for Phillippe Louis from UK :)

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The art therapy class at Helenow

It’s amazing how some specific activities can change one’s life for the better, especially when it is about something desired and understood by the subjects.  Some of these activities happen to have a kind of therapeutic influence on the humans’ lifestyle, personality, thinking, etc. that`s why,with time,they received the name of "therapy". As I have mentioned in my previous posts, there are many types of therapies and today I chose to speak about the art therapy, which represents the focus on the psychotherapeutic transference process between the therapist and the person who makes art. At Helenow the art therapy is very much loved by students, not only because they have the chance to create and communicate something through their works, but also due to the contact with the most energetic, open minded, lovely, friendly and professional therapist – Liliana Zalewska – with whom I am going to talk further to this article.

Me: Since when have you worked at Helenow as an art therapist?

Liliana: I started my work inside of the Helenow Rehabilitation Center in 2008, but as an art therapist I have worked since this September.

Me: Of what consists the art therapy activity organized by you?

Liliana: During the art therapy children are doing different kinds of activities that help them to exercise their hands muscles such as: drawing, painting, building, breaking, cutting, etc. Students also create objects of different forms, showing up their creativity. When the class ends we have very nice works the children are proud of. Every class has a specific theme of activity that invites the students to explore new topics, new styles of art, pleasure and fun.

Me: what are the advantages of this therapy?

Liliana: First of all, during this activity we are creating good conditions for a better communication between child and therapist. This activity helps our beneficiaries to process their emotions and feelings, to take a decision, to improve various mental and physical symptoms including, but not limited to, reducing pain, anxiety, and tension.  Students are exercising their hands, and they practice their ability to catch. Also they can easily differentiate the colours, the shapes, the materials from what they create. And why not, they have a lot of fun during the lesson.

Me: How many students are typically coming to each session?

Liliana: Depends on the day, but in general, the art therapy activity is attended by 4-8 students.

Me: What are the final works done by children at this activity?

Liliana: They are creating postcards for holidays (for Christmas, Easter), flowers, frames for pictures, animals, original boxes, jewelries, angels, Christmas trees, different objects (for contests).At present they are creating some works for our sponsors who are helping our centre.

Me: What are your wishes for the readers for the coming saint holidays?

Liliana: I wish that all you have peace in your souls; that your smiling never ends, a lot of patience, and everything you wish to come true. Also I wish you have enough snow to make possible the coming of Santa ClausJ.

Me: Thank you very much!

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Discovering Wroclaw

After I read and heard such positive words and stories about Wroclaw - the city with the most beautiful architecture from the entire country of Poland - I decided to join my friends in order to explore its fascinating belongings.

My trip began last week, on Friday when I took the Polski Bus around 8 AM. It was very cold outside, and I had to wait almost one hour to enter the bus and be ready for the departure. When I reached my place I was really pleasantly surprised. It was too comfortable for the price I paid for the ticketJ; if my eyes were closed I could have been sure that I am in the plane (I heard the same welcoming from the on board voice that you usually hear while flyingJ). After 7 very long hours, my friends and I arrived at the destination point, accompanied by our huge luggage.

We settled in a very nice youth hostel situated near the city center, at our friends from Wroclaw; they were very welcoming being also our best guides during our stay there (especially Andy from England).

On the first day I didn’t manage to do so many things, because I arrived in the evening, but I managed to attend one of the most dangerous manifestations that are taking place every year during the national day of Poland, in every big city. I went there ruled by curiosity; I really didn’t know that it would be so violent. All around you could see fires flying in the sky and going down in the flock and a big number of policemen. It was horrible, but I could feel the adrenaline running in my veins…

On the next day I, Diana, Marie and our unpaid “guide” Andy started to explore the beauty and mystery of Wroclaw. We visited many interesting touristic points such as: Rynek (Market Square), the Solny Square, the Cathedral Island, the University of Wroclaw, the covered market, the National Museum, and a lot of beautiful churches. On Sunday I and Diana also visited the Hala Ludowa (Centenary or Centennial Hall), the Japanese Botanical Garden and, of course… we had some shopping time :P (our passion J ).

Besides the city discovery, I also experienced once again some more traditional Polish food and, finally, hot bear in some nice places recommended by our local friends.

I really don’t have any regrets that I had with this trip: I met new interesting people, I experienced new positive feelings. I enjoyed it hugely… but… in the end, I missed my life back in Warsaw J.

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About Hippotherapy

As I mentioned in the previous article, here at Helenów, during the week are in progress many types of therapies (where the students are attending with regularity) as: arttherapy, musictherapy, kinetotherapy, hippotherapy, hidrotherapy, etc. Today I would like to speak about the therapy through horses (hippotherapy). For getting more information about this topic I had a nice conversation with the physiotherapist Dorota Brzeska, from the Helenów.

According to Dorota’s knowledge the first experiences of the hippotherapy at Helenów started in April 2003, following the idea of the physiotherapist Agnieszka Kozlowska and that of the manager of the institution – Zbigniew Przgrowski in cooperation with the master of the Polish Hippotherapy Association - Anna Struminska. After discovering this great plan the next step was to search someone who would have practice in working with horses, so they found Dorota as the first Helenów hippotherapist. Afterwards, there was purchased the first horse (Kindzał) from the Polish Hippotherapy Association that started to work with the students from Helenów in June 2003. During the summer holidays Dorota purchased the second horse, Mała Mi, a beautiful mare, that started to work, along with Kindzał, in September 2003. This activity subscribed a magnificent success; many kids were interested in hippotherapy activity, this fact leading to be acquired more horses like: Irys and Jaremcza, in the same year; and after 3 years – Koral and Las Vegas.

Dorota informed me about the role of this kind of therapy as well. First of all she mentioned that due to the great horse-human connection this therapy is a very fascinating way to exercise the body, especially that of the students with physical disabilities. This practice is considered to be very interesting because during the sessions there is a continuous cooperation between the students and animals. At the beginning of their activity pupils seem to be afraid to be close to the horses, but this emotion disappears very fast; after some regular contacts, they become brave and more relaxed.

I also felt this human-horse connection after riding (for the first time in my life) and taking care of the horses. It is spectacular to see how intelligent can be these animals. If they want they can easily make you feel loved and desired, or if they have some doubts about you they can let you try to win their trust.

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My host organization in Warsaw

Some words about the host organization wherein I am volunteering…

It is a complex of institutions providing education, treatment and welfare for children, youth and adults. The scope of the host organization activities includes the support and rehabilitation of disabled people at different ages as well as the training of specialists to work with disabled and socially excluded people. The Centre specializes in treatment of children with Central Nervous System dysfunctions and cerebral palsy among them.

The organization is situated in Miedzylesie, which is a quiet suburban district in Warsaw. Location in mostly residential area with forest just behind the fence and convenient communication with the city centre makes it a very attractive and comfortable place to live.
The Centre consists of the following institutions:
- Special Education and Treatment Centre of the Society of Children’s Friends (Specjalny Osrodek Szkolno-Wychowawczo-Rehabilitacyjny TPD);
- Specialist After School Centre of the Society of Children’s Friends (Pozaszkolna Placowka Specjalistyczna TPD);
- Autonomous Special Secondary School of the Society of Children’s Friends (Niepubliczne Liceum Ogolnokszta TPD);
- Autonomous Health Care Centre (Niepubliczny Zaklad Opieki Zdrowotnej);
- Prevention and Developmental Support Centre (Pracownia Profilaktyki i Wspomagania Rozwoju);
- Group of Public Special Schools (Zespo Szko Specjalnych);
- Graduate Club (Klub Absolwenta).
All units of the Centre cooperate very closely and support each other to provide complex care to children and young people under its charge. Currently in the framework of the host organization there are about 130 pupils and 34 technical workers. All staff members are adequately educated and experienced.

In present this organization hosts 4 volunteers (2 from Moldova, 1 from Portugal, and 1 from Germany). The work of the volunteers is divided in many sectors in order to be given the possibility to the volunteers to experience their work in all the departments existing in this area like: hippotherapy, graduate club, PPS and different kind of therapies. Till now, after some small discrepancies,  there were made some proper changes in the volunteers’ working schedule, everyone having now, more or less, a desired place and program of working.

What I like the most here is the wonderful relation between me and the students and teachers. Everyone is open-minded, all the time ready to help me and share experience and good disposition. My students are my best Polish teachers, everyday teaching me how to pronounce correctly some words, some phrases in Polish, demonstrating a great patience towards my language mistakesJ. Now, after 2 months, due to them, I can understand pretty well Polish, and I even can speak being understood. My heart is full of positive emotions when I am doing my voluntary work in the framework of this organization.

source

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"Siła Komunikacji" at Helenów

Today, at Helenów, day seemed to have a special dress from the very beginning: everyone (students, teachers, workers, etc.) was feeling happy and emotional; in the air I could feel the odor of a holiday. Here everybody was preparing for a great event, specific only for this school that coincided with the Day of Education in Poland. The activity started at 10 in the morning being opened by the national anthem; everyone stood up and sang the anthem. In the following moments there were performed many songs and a theatre play (Little Red Riding Hood by Charle Perrault); also kids recited some poetries and danced. The atmosphere was really amazing…

Some thoughts about this event …

MICHAŁ - the responsible person for EVS volunteers at Helenów  – said:

“This event is organized always in this period of time, but the dates differ from year to year. During this activity, the new students are welcomed in the school, gymnasium and high school; and they have a little task to prepare some cultural and entertainment activities for the guests.  After the official activity students that registered the best school performance for the last year were given diploma and a bunch of applauses; also, the director of the school, gave some incentives for the teachers that accumulated the best results in the previous school year. Regarding the preparation for this special day, it took around a month, especially the work for the Alternative Communication Group”.

KAROL – student in the 1^st class, High School – affirmed:

“I had to read poetry… I had some big emotions during the performance, but I liked to be there very much. It didn’t take so much time for me to prepare for this day. I would involve again in any activity in the framework of the school”.

  

KLAUDIA - student in the 2d class, Gymnasium – spoke:

“I had a big role here; I should keep the national flag in front of the audience at the beginning of the festivity and during the anthem.  It was a great honor for me to do this. How did I feel? Hmm… a little bit stressed, because I wanted to do how we repeated before, without mistakes. In the end everything was just very good and I felt wonderful. I would participate more at such events”.

KASIA - student in the 3d class, Gymnasium – said:

“I liked very much this day, it was one of the moments that gathered us together. I had big emotions while reciting the poetry in front of the guests, but it passed very quickly due to my teachers and friends. Here I felt very good, comfortable and it was really funny for me. I want to be involved here again in the next year”.

Today it was really a nice morning; everyone had a specific role in organizing this festivity. Because this event also coincided with the Teacher’s day in Poland, every Teacher received from their students a self made flower or heart/ a greeting card to show respect, care and many thanks for their support. I personally enjoyed being there J.

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