A fundamental human right is to have a well-constituted family where each member is given love, respect, harmony and a favourable environment for his development.

It is right that a child should live happily, without having to worry if there is food to eat at home, or clothes to wear. It is right that a child should enjoy an adequate education, to grow in a favourable environment, where he can learn and develop his physical, moral and intellectual capacities.

We desire to share to the children so that they may have a peaceful childhood and a better tomorrow.

We, Carmelite Missionaries have been here in Zabrze since late 2007.  We have seen a difficult situation marked by injustice. The neighbourhood where we live was built before the Second World War by the owners of a steel mill, and was intended to the workers and their families. When the company was closed, these families went into a major economic crisis that has triggered many problems, such as alcoholism, theft, violence and hunger. Families have disintegrated and the major consequences fall upon children who are affected by lack of education and formation at all levels.

From the start, we tried to understand intensely the environment, every family and its needs. Presently our main apostolote is set on the care for children in a Welcome Shelter (świetlica) where some 60 children participate freely, most of them coming from broken homes. We give a push to the Centre in order to give tutorial classes to children, ages 6 to 12 years old, providing them with human, social and religious formation. We admit only those who lack the most in their personal, educational and emotional development. Our desire is to share to the children so that they may have a peaceful childhood and a better tomorrow.

The activities are performed in the afternoon, after class, implementing various activities that favour the integration in school and in the neighbourhood so that they may acquire good eating habits, cleanliness, order and personal hygiene, as well as to profit well in their studies, reducing failures in school. The effort also focuses on increasing confidence, self esteem and desire to excel that will lift them out of the possible traumas caused by their situation. At the same time, it aims to support and guide parents through lectures, meetings, interviews and a close monitoring of their problems and needs so as they can take responsibility of their situation (unemployment, alcoholism, family conflict, etc.) and to engage in the formation of their children.

What we do is like a drop in the bucket but we strive to fight for justice and dignity of these children and their families to meet the most urgent needs.

Meeting the needs of the centre demand more presence and performance; but the lack of personnel and the inability to meet all requirements of law limit this service. What we do is like a drop in the bucket but we strive to fight for justice and dignity of these children and their families to meet the most urgent needs of one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Zabrze that have been affected by unemployment. All this is a way to collaborate in the fight for a better world, where everyone feels respected and learns to respect others.