“Dear volunteers from Poznań! I have just received an excellent message that happily announces the amount of money you had collected there – thank You, thank You so much! On 1st of June 2012 we celebrated Children’s Day and even though most of you are the adults I wish you all the best!”

This is the beginning  of the letter written by the priest Witold Szulczyński, the vice-principal of Caritas Georgia. This initiative makes us feel proud and at the same time encourages us to promote this sort of actions amongst you, dear AEGEEans.

AEGEE-Poznań decided few weeks ago to organise an event which does not resemble any of the previous ones. The idea was born during one of the very first coffee meetings attended by Ligia Szulc, the coordinator of the local initiative “Serce dla Gruzji” (Heart for Georgia) and an ex-AEGEE member. Together, we decided to bring help to those in need in Georgia.

AEGEE with Heart for Georgia took place on 28^th May. Although the first idea was  to organise only a concert with the aim of fundraising, our event developed to a much greater one.  The special day began with fundraising at the universities of Poznan. It was commonly named as the “Cookie Action” because of its form – the volunteers from both AEGEE and Serce dla Gruzji were selling cookies which were donated by a local bakery as a charity gift. The Cookie Action lasted five hours – most of the doughnuts, cakes, and buns (all of which are local delicacies) were sold. In the meantime, the charity auction was held on the biggest online auction in Poland Allegro.pl.

Two bands – “Propaganda Dei” from Poland and “Making of a Man” from the United Kingdom came to Poznań to contribute to our initiative. “Georgian Night” was like the cherry on the cake for this event. It consisted in two main parts – we started  with the cultural one – a panel discussion held between volunteers and guests coming from Georgia and a local municipality.  Girls from AEGEE-Poznań had prepared traditional Georgian dishes – cheese chaczapuri and lobiani with beans. I wish you tried them, they were awesome!

That day ended  with two unforgettable concerts. Full of positive energy and happiness we came back home with the feeling that we had managed to reach a milestone with this event. As a result of our collection during the day, we have sent almost 350 Euros to Tbilisi. There’s another thing which confirms that one good deed entails  another one – our action was supported by a young couple who during their marriage asked for  financial support to our action instead of flowers for themselves. They collected almost 130 Euros.

It was worth putting an effort to organise such an event. We got the possibility of promoting Georgian culture in Poznań, to meet other AEGEEans from Georgia and other countries and – what is most important  – we have made a contribution to the great work created by the priest Szulczynski. Owing to our financial support, the orphanage in Tbilisi which is led by Caritas Georgia, will be renovated. A small amount of money will cover the costs of a treatment of a young guy who had a serious accident.

(…) I really appreciate the fact that so many people put their heart to the action and did their best to help the others. I’m so grateful and I’ll always be. AEGEE-Poznań encourages you to make the events with the passion of your heart. The biggest heart you’ve ever had!

Written by Adrian Browarczyk, AEGEE-Poznań

“Such initiatives once again prove that AEGEE is not only about voting, candidates, and committees, but about people connected with each other and helping on a distance of thousands of kilometers.” This is what Olga Iatsyna, former Network Commissioner, wrote on her Facebook profile. We never thought otherwise!

The members of AEGEE-Poznań united their enthusiasm and willingness to promote the cultures of European countries and combined it with their mission to help. This is the motivation of the charity initiative “Serce dla Gruzji” (in Polish – “Heart for Georgia”). Consequently, a unique event was born: “AEGEE with Heart for Georgia”.

The main aim of the action is to show how many people need support and how we can contribute. During the last years, as a result of the wars and the political transformation in Georgia, a great part of its citizens were struck by many unexpected difficulties and suffering. The standard of living deteriorated for many people. Therefore, the purpose of this joint initiative of AEGEE-Poznań and “Heart for Georgia” is to show that there are people who support the children, the elderly, the poor,  and the sick and lonely. Thanks to the money collected, the local will be able to help an orphanage, a health centre for the poorest, a soup kitchen, and home care for those in need and for the handicapped who are no longer able to move from their homes.

Visiting Georgia during international projects showed me not only the beauty of the country and the immense hospitality of its citizens, but also revealed vast social needs. Last year, our group of volunteers from Poznań decided to start the initiative “Heart for Georgia”. Currently our actions are meant to support the already existing projects lead by Caritas Georgia. This organisation is widely known for its effectiveness. What is more, its employees recognise the needs of the people they have been taking care of for years. We believe that the money we fundraise is not going to waste, but will be used in the best way possible.

“As a former AEGEE member I have been in touch with its members for years and  I know very well that their enthusiasm can bring new ideas and energy to this project. I could not have been happier than in the moment I received the answer from AEGEE-Poznań and saw the support from AEGEE-Tbilisi and the Eastern Partnership Project (EaP),” says Ligia Szulc, the coordinator of the charity initiative “Heart for Georgia” and an officer of the Poznań City Hall.

“This project is undoubtedly unique. And what makes it this special? First of all, it is the aim: Helping those in need. Through our action we are able  to make a real difference in other people’s lives. Secondly, an incredible and very effective cooperation between two groups – AEGEE-Poznań and Heart for Georgia. I am very happy to be a part of this team. Together we can definitely achieve more,” says Marta Wnuk, coordinator of the Exchange Working Group in AEGEE-Poznań.

On 28^th May 2012, students of the universities in Poznań were encouraged to join, learn more, and contribute during the fundraising. To thank them for each offering, the sponsors of the event decided to give some fresh baked pastry which was distributed by the volunteering students. A Georgian culture evening in the Blue Note Jazz Club with music, Georgian cuisine, and interesting guests followed. Two music bands offered live concerts for the participants as an afterparty: the Polish band “Propaganda Dei” and “Bullit” from the United Kingdom.

The charity auction, supported by the biggest Polish auction portal Allegro.pl will last for a few days. All assets fundraised will be sent to partner of the initiative , Caritas Georgia.

“I do not regard the geographical border of Poland as the right criterion to choose which people we should help. Social aid is well-developed in Poland, while in Georgia it still is not,” says Paulina, one of the volunteers when asked why she decided to fundraise for the needy in Georgia.

Let us follow then our hearts and words “Some call it Europe, we call it home.”

Written by Ligia Szulc, Initiative Heart for Georgia and former AEGEE-Poznań, and Marta Wnuk, AEGEE-Poznań

Photographs by EaP and AEGEE-Tbilisi