I spent six months in a closed camp, where I encountered several challenges. One of the most difficult aspects was dealing with the Polish guards, who often had a negative attitude towards us. They would refer to us by numbers instead of our names, which was dehumanizing and demoralizing. Despite this, I tried to remain positive and focused on finding a way out of the camp.
The camp environment was restrictive: we were not allowed to use phones and could not talk to our families regularly. We were limited to using Gmail to send messages, which made it feel like a prison.
Another significant issue was the lack of support for the Somali community from the organization managing the camp. While I understand that resources are limited, it was disheartening to see assistance being provided to other communities but not ours. It seemed that the organization's priorities were influenced by factors other than community needs.
On a personal level, I had to use my own money to buy necessities during my time in the camp, which was a financial burden. However, I managed to get by. Upon my release, I received international protection in Poland, which helped me put the camp experience behind me.
After being released, I reached out to the organization for help in finding a job or enrolling in a skills course, but unfortunately, I did not receive any assistance. This lack of support was compounded by the presence of a community organization called Dobre, led by a man named Elmi. Although he is supposed to support the Somali community, every Somali person knows that he never truly helps, whether it’s with housing or other essential needs. When we seek help from other organizations, they often refer us back to Dobre, which has been very frustrating.
Despite these challenges, I have recently secured a job, and my financial situation has improved significantly. I wanted to share my experience to shed light on the challenges and discrepancies within some organizations. It is important for everyone to be aware that some organizations may prioritize budgeting and appearances over providing meaningful support to the communities they serve.
Thank you for taking the time to read my update. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to reach out to me.
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W naszym spocie wypowiadają się osoby, które mają za sobą pobyt w ośrodku zamkniętym. Są to miejsca pod nadzorem Straży Granicznej, do których trafia część osób oczekujących na decyzję dotyczącą udzielenia im ochrony międzynarodowej w Polsce lub zobowiązania ich do powrotu do kraju pochodzenia.
Fundacja Ocalenie wspiera takie osoby w rozpoczęciu godnego życia w Polsce. Dzięki udziałowi w programie Refugees Welcome Polska mogą znaleźć mieszkanie, poznać polską kulturę i język.
Ty też możesz pomóc. Wejdź na https://lnkd.in/dgYRHkSv i działaj z nami!
Pomysł i realizacja: Agata Grzybowska
Muzyka: Bartosz Dziadosz
Oprawa graficzna: studio lekko
Głosu użyczyła: Kornelia Raniszewska
