Write a commentDan Gebski interviews Katarzyna Kulczewska.
“A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everyone else.”
This time my Hero is the one and only Katarzyna Kulczewska.
DG: Hi Kasia first of all I would like to thank you for agreeing to take a part in my project. And before we will find out more about yourself could you tell me why Ireland and Co.Down?
KK: First of all, thank you for inviting me to your From zero to Hero program.
Why Ireland? Because in 2006 my second half came here. So shortly after my graduation, I jumped on the plane and ended up in Kilkeel with my husband.
DG: Can you tell me what part of Poland are you from ? What about your family? How long have you been in Ireland
KK: I came from the heart of Greater Poland - Poznań. I grew up in a large family. I have two older and one younger brother, dear mother - always supportive and stepfather.
In November 2007 I left Poland to build a family with my husband - we did not know yet that we would settle in Ireland for a longer period. It's been 13 years now that we live with two children in Northern Ireland.
DG: I know that you are spokesperson for parents in Supplementary Polish School in Newry. How long are you active in Supplementary Polish School in Newry and Do you enjoy it?
KK: The story with the Polish Supplementary School began when my children started attending it. I cannot imagine that they would not know the culture, language and history of their parents' country of origin - PSU in Newry helps in gaining knowledge in these areas.
And so 2-3 years ago my voluntary work for PSU began. Because I live far from Newry and it was not worth going home and at the same time I don't like senseless shopping - shopping, so I stayed at school as a help - with children, cleaning, crafting, photocopying teaching aids, on duty, etc.
As it turned out, the Polish school needed and needs people willing to cooperate and engage. This is how my story began. As of today, I am acting as the PSU Chairperson, which is a huge challenge and involves additional duties. And here I would like to thank Joanna.U for her perseverance in fulfilling her duties as Chairperson of the Polish School in Newry for the last ten years.
Running the school has turned out to be more challenging than I thought but it doesn't give up and with the whole board group we're working towards a better future for PSU Newry. There are stressful situations associated with it, but also a lot of joy and a lot of smile.
DG: Why is it important to have a bilingual schools and promote it like the Supplementary Polish school in Newry?
KK: We live in an open world. That is why I believe that it is worth opening new paths for our children. Culture, language, history are things that need to be passed down from generation to generation and this gives us and allows us to get to know the Polish School.
Children are like sponges - everything is chilled quickly, so in this case the Polish language is an asset for our "Irish" children. Bilingualism opens them new paths and horizons in the future, teaches them to look at stories with greater understanding, and shows and teaches them tolerance for different cultures. And here a huge thank you to the teaching team from PSU in Newry for their commitment, preparation and heart for all children in the school.
The Polish School connects all of us from different parts of Ireland into one big family.
DG: The word creativity will be very familiar to you without a doubt. How come you have decided to open your own sewing and dressmaking business? Can you tell me more about that what you do please?
KK: My business opened on its own really - I was helped by a sewing machine, skills and tailoring qualifications. One of the schools I graduated from was the Clothing Technical School in Poznań, where I gained full qualifications as a technician in sewing heavy clothing and its construction.
I'm not quite able to say exactly when it started - but long ago ...
The story is this: My family friend "Honor" - now she is a pierced grandmother for my children and at the same time I can confidently say a mother for me. About 10 years ago, she saw a sewing machine at my place and asked me to make a dress for her daughter, which I did. And so it started from mouth to mouth - recommendations about Kasia, who went around the world, and gained more customers . Probably in 2014/2015 the name Kasia's Sewing Room Dressmaking & Alterations was created (deals with sewing and mainly wedding alterations). the first business cards and a Facebook page were created - to this day I do not advertise myself and the recommendations bring me work.
DG: I know for fact that during the turbulent times during the lockdown you with others made loads of scrubs for our NHS staff which I personally would like to thank you. How have you been affected by lockdown from a family point and business perspective?
KK: Lockdown was a God-given free time for me. This was what I needed to slow my life down. Lack of time pressure, stress and rush opened my eyes that we got lost somewhere in everyday life. It was a time to focus and take care of my family and myself. At times, we were afraid of an unknown virus, which we will not jump over anyway, we have to go through this time - wait it out.
I was forced to close my Sewing Room. In the meantime, I have sewed a lot of face masks and Scrubs for the NHS. However, I focused more on children, remote learning and spending time actively. I am so lucky to live in a beautiful area with the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea within easy reach. The lockdown weather was given to us so we discovered new mountain paths every day and admired the ebb and flow looking for treasures on the beach .. It was a beautiful time.
Currently working, Kasia's Sewing Room is open of course with COVID-19 safety rules
DG: Are you the type of person who speaks her mind first and think after it or think long before say anything?
KK: Ymmm ... Depending on the situation I am in, I rather say what I think - I realize that it is not always welcome
DG: What are your plans for 2021?
KK: . Plans are broad, new business challenges. Time will tell because so far COVID-19 has thwarted a lot of things and it's hard to implement plans now.
DG: Thank you very much for this amazing interview and wish you all the best and stay safe. Dan
KK: Thank you and I wish you much health and peace.
