Workcamp 2026 completed. Civil engineering students helped children from Ruda Śląska
On the 3rd of August, this year's edition of the Workcamp officially ended in Ruda Śląska. During this time, students of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Silesian University of Technology, operating in the Young Staff Club of the Polish Association of Civil Engineers and Technicians – Gliwice Branch, for two weeks carried out a comprehensive renovation of the Care and Educational Facility No.2. The project involved 26 students and coordinators who worked a total of over 1,000 hours, combining the acquisition of practical skills with social activity.
In just two weeks, approximately 130 square meters of the facility were renovated. New floors were installed, tiles were replaced, the kitchen, living room and three children's rooms were renovated, and the furnishings were replaced. During the project, the participants also had to deal with unforeseen technical problems, such as the need to repair damp walls or perform additional work, which required work until late in the evening.
During the ceremonial completion of the works, there was no shortage of words of appreciation for the young volunteers. The Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Silesian University of Technology emphasized that the students' participation in the Workcamp is proof not only of their professionalism, but also of their social responsibility and sensitivity.
- As in the previous year, we will present individual letters of congratulations to the Workcamp participants during the inauguration of the new academic year - announced Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Barbara Klemczak.
One of the students involved in the Workcamp was Wojciech Tomala. As he said, it was a huge experience for him. In the team, he was responsible for preparing cost estimates and a list of requirements.
- We prepared a cost estimate and calculated how much of a given material would be needed to complete all the work. Based on how much work needed to be done and how much material we would use, we later created a schedule that fell apart, the student recalls. - There was so much additional work that the schedule had to be set aside on the third day, but it was an interesting lesson for us in what can happen on a construction site and during renovation work - he adds.
Ultimately, with the support of the coordinators, all work was completed on time.
- We expected some things. For example, in one place the plaster fell off, and we had to replace it. There was a problem with damp wool in the partition wall, which had to be replaced in a significant part, and we couldn't just ignore it, because it would not be in accordance with the construction principles. All this pushed back the planned completion date of the work, recalls Dariusz Guzdek, a third-year civil engineering student. – We worked a bit at night, but today I feel great satisfaction and now I can start my vacation and get a good night’s sleep – he added.
The greatest thanks went to the students and graduates involved in the renovation. Special words of gratitude were also addressed to the sponsors and partners of the project. Their involvement went far beyond the donation of building materials. Company representatives repeatedly appeared at the construction site, rolled up their sleeves, and carried out renovation work alongside the students, sharing their experience and supporting the young engineers. Thanks to this cooperation, it was possible to efficiently carry out the entire renovation and create a unique space for participants to learn a practical profession. The sponsors included: Dlubal, Mostostal Zabrze Industrial Projects, RISER, Łęgprzem, NDI and Poolaqua.
The facility's management emphasized that without the support of volunteers and sponsors, such a large-scale renovation would be impossible to carry out on their own.
- Such renovation would have to be spread over many years. The pace of work and the quality of all the work were particularly appreciated. We are extremely grateful to the young people for their commitment and time, emphasized Barbara Karasz, director of the Administrative Centre for Care and Educational Facilities in Ruda Śląska.
The facility provides care for children in difficult life situations. Several dozen children find their home and care here. This is one of several facilities of this type operating in the city. The Vice-President of Ruda Śląska also emphasized the importance of this initiative for the urban community.
- We know that we are always short of money. The city budgets are so strained, and the fact that sponsors were found, the fact that we didn't have to pay for labour, that's also an added value, a material value. We appreciate this very much and I assure you, that if you would like to do something like this again in the future, we are definitely standing by and are open to cooperation. We say a big thank you – said Anna Krzysteczko.
Words of gratitude were also expressed by representatives of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Katowice and the Polish Association of Civil Engineers and Technicians. It was emphasized that the initiative is an example of social responsibility of the young generation of engineers, and that the experience gained during the Workcamp will pay off both in their future professional work and in their further social activities.
- Workcamp simply teaches respect for work - said Tomasz Bujnowski, acting secretary general of the Polish Association of Civil Engineers and Technicians (PZITB).
Since the work was not easy, it was all the more important that young people wanted to take it up in the name of higher values. - I think that those I met there, and I was there several times, were people who really wanted to do something good. And it's great that we have such young people who live by such values, emphasized Father Marek Kąsek, director of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Katowice.
Although this year's edition has just ended, the organizers do not hide the fact that they are already thinking about further projects. As the coordinators emphasized, the greatest value of the Workcamp was not only the renovated rooms or the experience gained, but above all the community of people who decided to devote part of their holidays to doing something good for others.
- The memories we have collected over the past few weeks, and the results of our work drive us to action. We are already thinking about what we will do next year – announced Jakub Groń. M.Sc. Eng. Jakub Groń is the graduate of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and chairman of the Young Staff Club.
We sincerely congratulate the students on their initiative!
fot. Maciej Mutwil
