Feasibility Visit , September 26th – 28th, 2013

Feasibility Visit, September 26th – 28th, 2013

From Fringes to the Center of SocietyFrom Fringes to the Center of Society

Entrepreneurial Women for Sustainable Economic SecurityEntrepreneurial Women for Sustainable Economic Security

YOUNG PEOPLE’S PROFILEYOUNG PEOPLE’S PROFILE

BOJSZOWYBOJSZOWY

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

WHO ARE WE?WHO ARE WE?

Kinga, 22

Study: Promotion of Health, B.Sc

Work: Pharmacy, sales assistant

Wojtek, 22

Study: Spatial Economics, B.Sc

Work: Summer job at Camp Leaders Programme, USA

Natalia,

Work: internship at Criminal Department at Police station

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

WE LIVE IN BOJSZOWY…WE LIVE IN BOJSZOWY…

……a small village, next to the towns of Pszczyna and Tychya small village, next to the towns of Pszczyna and Tychy

……there are about 7000 inhabitants, more people move there are about 7000 inhabitants, more people move here because they want to escape the noise of big cities, here because they want to escape the noise of big cities, and live not far away from the center of cities.and live not far away from the center of cities.

……there are farm fields and is surrounded by wild forests.there are farm fields and is surrounded by wild forests. This is good place to do many activitiesThis is good place to do many activities because right because right behind primary school there are sports fields for football,behind primary school there are sports fields for football, tennis,tennis, basketball and sprint pathbasketball and sprint path..

Click here to see pictures from Bojszowy

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

BOJSZOWY as a place of WORK:BOJSZOWY as a place of WORK:

My home village is not big enough to guarantee work in all My home village is not big enough to guarantee work in all professions, this is why most people choose to work in the nearby professions, this is why most people choose to work in the nearby towns. towns.

Most of the people living in Bojszowy work in nearby companies, such Most of the people living in Bojszowy work in nearby companies, such as FIAT and coalmines. Another group of people work as farmers, as FIAT and coalmines. Another group of people work as farmers, but there are less and less of them because this is not a profitable but there are less and less of them because this is not a profitable occupation. Other group are pensioners.occupation. Other group are pensioners.

Still, the village is growing and new people move in, new institutions Still, the village is growing and new people move in, new institutions come up, shops, hairdressers, and this is why there are more places come up, shops, hairdressers, and this is why there are more places to work.to work.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

BOJSZOWY as a place of BUSINESS:BOJSZOWY as a place of BUSINESS:There is no industry in Bojszowy, the most important part of economy is There is no industry in Bojszowy, the most important part of economy is

agriculture, crafts, trade and services.agriculture, crafts, trade and services.Most business in Bojszowy are private (97%) and are usually small and miro Most business in Bojszowy are private (97%) and are usually small and miro

businesses (83%). There are 405 businesses registered and businesses (83%). There are 405 businesses registered and 133 belong 133 belong to women.to women.

The most popular business sectors of women in Bojszowy are:The most popular business sectors of women in Bojszowy are:1.1. Retail sales (food, clothes, cosmetics, internet sales) Retail sales (food, clothes, cosmetics, internet sales) 2.2. Food services, catering Food services, catering 3.3. Tax counseling, business counseling and insuranceTax counseling, business counseling and insurance4.4. Accounting servicesAccounting services5.5. Hairdressers and cosmetic servicesHairdressers and cosmetic services6.6. Tailor’s servicesTailor’s services7.7. Plant nurseriesPlant nurseries8.8. Medical, nurses and midwife practice Medical, nurses and midwife practice 9.9. Translations; home teachingTranslations; home teaching10.10. CleaningCleaning

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

OUR FAMILIES:OUR FAMILIES:I liveI live with my grandmother with my grandmother ((retiredretired)), father , father ((retired retired - - used to work in used to work in the coalmines)the coalmines), , my mother my mother ((works as a cleanerworks as a cleaner in a pharmacyin a pharmacy) and) and a a sister sister ((studies at technical high schoolstudies at technical high school: : landscape architecturelandscape architecture..

I live with my parents. My mother works as a midwife in hospital. My I live with my parents. My mother works as a midwife in hospital. My father runs his own business producing materials and plastics. have father runs his own business producing materials and plastics. have one sister who lives with her family in Tychy. one sister who lives with her family in Tychy.

I live with my family.I live with my family. I have five sisters.I have five sisters. The oldest sister is married,The oldest sister is married, the other one is living in France and three sisters are triplets and they the other one is living in France and three sisters are triplets and they are still learning at school.are still learning at school. My mother works in pharmacy andMy mother works in pharmacy and my my father has his own company.father has his own company.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

OUR LIVES:OUR LIVES:I study on weekend days I study on weekend days „„health promotionhealth promotion” ” and during the and during the week I work in a pharmacy. My main duties include internet week I work in a pharmacy. My main duties include internet sales of cosmetics and medicinal products. I give information sales of cosmetics and medicinal products. I give information and prepare the packing of orders. and prepare the packing of orders.

I do my internship at secretary office of the Police Criminal Department. I do my internship at secretary office of the Police Criminal Department. I can say that this is my dream job and I would like to continue if there I can say that this is my dream job and I would like to continue if there is such opportunity. I never thought before that it could be so is such opportunity. I never thought before that it could be so interesting. However, I think that the salaries there are too low if you interesting. However, I think that the salaries there are too low if you compare to the responsibility of people working there. compare to the responsibility of people working there.

I study Spatial Economy at the University of Economics in Katowice I study Spatial Economy at the University of Economics in Katowice because I would like to work in real estate agency. I think in this field I because I would like to work in real estate agency. I think in this field I could find work in the place where I live ,but i think about looking for could find work in the place where I live ,but i think about looking for permanent job abroad in the future.permanent job abroad in the future.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

COMMUTING TO SCHOOL AND WORK:COMMUTING TO SCHOOL AND WORK:

To get to work I take a bus or a bicycle if the weather is fine. By bike it To get to work I take a bus or a bicycle if the weather is fine. By bike it takes about 20 minutes, as I work in the nearby town. To get to school I takes about 20 minutes, as I work in the nearby town. To get to school I go by car to school because during weekends there are very few buses.go by car to school because during weekends there are very few buses.

My university is in big city far away from me and it’s not very close to My university is in big city far away from me and it’s not very close to my home. I have to commute by 2 buses and journey to my university my home. I have to commute by 2 buses and journey to my university takes me even 2 hours.takes me even 2 hours.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

DIFFICULTIES:DIFFICULTIES:

The difficulties to start studying were the tuition costs and the cost of The difficulties to start studying were the tuition costs and the cost of traveling to school. About looking for work - the small number of work traveling to school. About looking for work - the small number of work places, not having enough qualifications. places, not having enough qualifications.

I don’t work now, but I have a lot of experience, my last job was in I don’t work now, but I have a lot of experience, my last job was in USA. It was job for students from Camp Leaders Programme, I was USA. It was job for students from Camp Leaders Programme, I was working at summer camp doing many jobs, butworking at summer camp doing many jobs, butI wasn’t happy about salary. It was similar like in Poland.I wasn’t happy about salary. It was similar like in Poland.

When I was looking for job in Poland it was difficult to find it for me When I was looking for job in Poland it was difficult to find it for me studying and without high qualifications. There are many people studying and without high qualifications. There are many people looking for job in my area and the time when you find one depends on looking for job in my area and the time when you find one depends on your qualifications and experience.your qualifications and experience.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

DifficultiesDifficulties::

Most of my friends work in clothes shops, pubs, as sales Most of my friends work in clothes shops, pubs, as sales representatives and telemarketers.representatives and telemarketers.

It’s very hard to find a good job, because in our age we don’t have It’s very hard to find a good job, because in our age we don’t have experience and skills that we did not have a possibility to get because experience and skills that we did not have a possibility to get because we are too young.we are too young.Looking for job is frustrating, especially waiting if someone calls you Looking for job is frustrating, especially waiting if someone calls you back.back.

Job offers are directed mostly for men and physical workersJob offers are directed mostly for men and physical workers.. Not many Not many offers meet my and my friend’s expectations.offers meet my and my friend’s expectations. Salaries in Poland are low Salaries in Poland are low and young people cannot afford many things that they would like to do: and young people cannot afford many things that they would like to do: travel, go to the cinema, listen to good music.travel, go to the cinema, listen to good music.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

OUR PLANS AND DREAMS:OUR PLANS AND DREAMS:I plan to start my Master degree studies. When I graduate, I will be I plan to start my Master degree studies. When I graduate, I will be able to find a better paid work, or to take additional work in a able to find a better paid work, or to take additional work in a similar field, like in a health center. For sure finding a job will be similar field, like in a health center. For sure finding a job will be easier with this degree, because previously I finished post-high easier with this degree, because previously I finished post-high school courses (pharmacy).school courses (pharmacy).

I can honestly say that my current work at Police I can honestly say that my current work at Police secretary is something I would like to develop at and secretary is something I would like to develop at and continue in the future.continue in the future.

I would like to work in real estate agency. I think in this field I could I would like to work in real estate agency. I think in this field I could find work in the place where I livefind work in the place where I live but i think about looking for but i think about looking for permanent job abroad in the future.permanent job abroad in the future.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEANS…ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEANS…

It is about organization and thinking (thinking through, preparing, It is about organization and thinking (thinking through, preparing, planning), about doing something that pays back, what gives planning), about doing something that pays back, what gives advantage.advantage.

Entrepreneurship means for me to think prospective about Entrepreneurship means for me to think prospective about the future how to set up and lead business.the future how to set up and lead business. My father runs My father runs his own businesshis own business. H. He set up company offering bathroomse set up company offering bathrooms

Entrepreneur – someone who can take advantage of any Entrepreneur – someone who can take advantage of any situation and easily takes decisions, with courage, easily situation and easily takes decisions, with courage, easily adjusts to new conditions, uses well opportunities.adjusts to new conditions, uses well opportunities. My My father father runs his own business too.runs his own business too.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MEANS…SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MEANS…

Sustainable development for me are sustainable relations Sustainable development for me are sustainable relations between economic growth and ecologic care.between economic growth and ecologic care. The idea is to The idea is to create a harmony and the example in my area of sustainable create a harmony and the example in my area of sustainable development is that some people save energy using solar cells to development is that some people save energy using solar cells to warm swimming pools.warm swimming pools.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN THAT WE KNOW…ENTREPRENEURIAL WOMEN THAT WE KNOW…

My friend is an owner of a grocery shop. It used to belong to her My friend is an owner of a grocery shop. It used to belong to her grandmother and to her mother. Now she runs it, of course under her grandmother and to her mother. Now she runs it, of course under her mother’s supervision.mother’s supervision.

My boss is also a woman who owns a chain of pharmacies, she takes My boss is also a woman who owns a chain of pharmacies, she takes care of it together with her husband but she is the main decision care of it together with her husband but she is the main decision maker. maker.

My mother’s hairdresser is also a woman and she runs her own My mother’s hairdresser is also a woman and she runs her own hairdresser salon.hairdresser salon.

I think in Poland every woman can run her own business,I think in Poland every woman can run her own business, she she only has to feel good about leading it, be well organized and only has to feel good about leading it, be well organized and have knowledge about this business.have knowledge about this business.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

ME AS ENTREPRENEUR…???ME AS ENTREPRENEUR…???

I would like to run my own herbal shop, because then you I would like to run my own herbal shop, because then you can earn by yourself your own living and take care of can earn by yourself your own living and take care of everything by yourself.everything by yourself.

I like to be independent and I think about running my own I like to be independent and I think about running my own business in the future,business in the future, but I would like to work first as real estate but I would like to work first as real estate agent to get experience and basic knowledge in my field.agent to get experience and basic knowledge in my field.

I would like to run my own spa with hotel. It is a big risk and a I would like to run my own spa with hotel. It is a big risk and a lot of money, but if I could obtain grant from European Union lot of money, but if I could obtain grant from European Union or win the lottery or win the lottery I would like to try. I like when there is a lot I would like to try. I like when there is a lot going on!going on!

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

ME AND OTHER CULTURES…ME AND OTHER CULTURES…I never participated in school exchanges but I had occasions to spend time I never participated in school exchanges but I had occasions to spend time with colleagues from other countries. Also, while traveling on summer with colleagues from other countries. Also, while traveling on summer vacations abroad I could meet other people. vacations abroad I could meet other people.

I would like to meet colleagues from Israel and from Roma community to I would like to meet colleagues from Israel and from Roma community to share experiences and make new friendshipsshare experiences and make new friendships..

I have small experience in meeting people from other countries, but a lot of I have small experience in meeting people from other countries, but a lot of my friends know people from abroad and keep in contact for years, so if I my friends know people from abroad and keep in contact for years, so if I had a chance I would like to meet other people, too. I would like to know had a chance I would like to meet other people, too. I would like to know their customs, visit new places, get to know the food, music, art.. If I their customs, visit new places, get to know the food, music, art.. If I opened the spa I would offer maybe Indian food, or offeropened the spa I would offer maybe Indian food, or offer Ayurveda Ayurveda treatments.treatments.

It’s important to be tolerant,It’s important to be tolerant, and open to learn about thand open to learn about the e cultureculture. I . I like to like to meet new people from another cultures it’s always exciting to see how meet new people from another cultures it’s always exciting to see how otherother people live.people live. I’ve already met Jewish people in USA and many of I’ve already met Jewish people in USA and many of them i likethem i like. . I don’t know anyone from the Roma community in Poland yet I don’t know anyone from the Roma community in Poland yet but I’m willing to meet.but I’m willing to meet.

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”

When YOU come to Poland…When YOU come to Poland…

You have to visitYou have to visit:: KrakówKraków - city with unique architecture, - city with unique architecture, ZakopaneZakopane with the highest mountains in Poland and - the closest to my place - with the highest mountains in Poland and - the closest to my place - Dream Park in OchabyDream Park in Ochaby with the only one in Europe Prehistoric with the only one in Europe Prehistoric Aquarium.Aquarium.

If you want to know more about Bojszowy, it would be best to talk If you want to know more about Bojszowy, it would be best to talk with older people who remember how it used to be. And with with older people who remember how it used to be. And with people who run here their businesses, who can tell you how it is people who run here their businesses, who can tell you how it is now. now.

We would like to invite you to Bojszowy, to We would like to invite you to Bojszowy, to share with you our culture, nature and the share with you our culture, nature and the

way we live!way we live!

CLICK HERE FOR VIRTUAL TOUR!!!

ASSOCIATION

„GROWTH RESEARCH UNIT”