Iwona
Born in 1982 in Bęczyn, a small village in South East Poland, Iwona remembers how free she felt growing up in rural surroundings and sharing simple joys living with her parents, four siblings, Grandmother and Great Grandmother and while space was limited, times were happy and contented.
Before moving to Hackney in 2001, Iwona had not travelled much outside of her village and the nearby town of Krasnik where she went to school, so initially, London felt huge and pretty overwhelming but with the support and friendship of good people, she gradually started to feel at home.
Eventually, Iwona wanted to raise her daughter somewhere quieter and she was happy to settle in her current home close to the coast in Southend-on-Sea.
Since moving to Southend, Iwona has completed a degree in Social Science and is passionate about connecting with and supporting others in her community.
Iwona grew up with her family in Bęczyn, a small village in South East Poland.
Iwona has grown to appreciate numerous things since moving to England in 2001 including meeting open minded people and having a range of opportunities.
Iwona remembers working on her parent’s Raspberry plantation and in 1989, the harvest was so good that the profits helped Iwona’s family to buy a house!
Photo by Kollányi Gábor, used under licence.
Iwona (third from the left) remembers so many good times of playing with her siblings and friends in and around Bęczyn. Childhood friends included Jozef, whose parents owned a sheep farm, Edyta and Jola.
Teenage life was busy for Iwona who had to catch a bus at 6am to go to school in Krasnik (about 8 miles away). After getting home at around 4pm, there was homework and chores to do like chopping and gathering firewood and taking care of her Grandmother’s farm animals.
Iwona loves people and regularly supports her local community in Southend-on-Sea. She reflects that early experiences of her Grandmother’s public service may have had an influence.
Iwona speaks of her Grandmother, who was the local Mayor, with great warmth and admiration.
Iwona remembers that there was a close sense of community in Bęczyn and people would routinely help and take care of each other. If you needed work doing on your home, a community member would often come and do it for free.
Iwona’s Dad served in the Polish military
Iwona lived in Hackney in London when she first moved to England in 2001. Initially, London felt a bit overwhelming but Iwona had some good people around her which helped her to settle in.
Iwona’s Dad in his military uniform
Iwona became a punk and shaved her head on her 18th birthday… her Mum wasn’t very happy at the time!
Iwona speaks fondly of her Dad who was very open and always welcomed people into their home.
Iwona (second from left) with her Mum and siblings
Iwona’s Grandfather (right) served as a soldier during World War II, working to protect the village of Bęczyn agaisnt the invading forces.
Iwona’s Grandmother and Grandfather
