I managed to visit the center with a group of journalists. Its functioning was explained to us by the head, Bożena Myszk. We started our tour in the reception area, where foreigners arrive with a document obtained at the border, which is issued for 6 months while the procedure lasts.
– Before that, we receive information by fax from the border guard that such and such a foreigner must arrive at the center within two days. There were situations when we came to work and there were 100 people waiting in the reception area. That was during the period when Poland was preparing to join the Schengen zone. Now about 50 people live here, the center has a capacity of 103 places.
Initially, everyone undergoes a mandatory epidemiological screening procedure.
– The task of the screening is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The center has two outpatient clinics. One for those who have just arrived. The second for those who live permanently. Two primary care doctors, four nurses work here daily, and a psychologist sees patients once a week. If specialized treatment is needed, we arrange a visit from a specialist. Also, if necessary, a foreigner receives a referral to a dentist. The same goes for children's vaccinations.
After arriving at the center, the foreigner receives the rules of stay in the center in a language they understand. All signs in the facility are in three languages: Polish, Russian, and English. The director invited us to go up to the first floor to see what a room where foreigners live looks like.
– These are two-person rooms. Each has a refrigerator, wardrobe, two chairs, a table. Upon check-in, foreigners receive a blanket, bed linen, mugs, cutlery, plates – everything necessary for daily functioning. Residents hang their own pictures, carpets here. Everyone tries to organize this little piece of home in their own way to feel better. But sometimes foreigners do not agree to stay in our center. In such a situation, they have the right to come to Polish language lessons, can come to the outpatient clinic to see a doctor, seek help from our staff, and the Office for Foreigners pays them an allowance.
The center is located in a forest. It used to be a military base; there were bunkers here, even a helicopter. This year the facility is undergoing major renovation. One part will be fully adapted for people with disabilities.
– Our center is located 3 km from the WKD suburban train, which our clients use for free based on their document. If they travel for interviews at the office or to a doctor in Warsaw, we reimburse their travel expenses. In addition, they can use our transport; our drivers take, for example, a foreigner to the doctor. But I must say that some foreigners come to us from the border by taxi, sometimes two, because they need to collect all their luggage, and some have their own cars.
Residents have at their disposal a lounge, a study room, a laundry room, and kitchens. There is also a canteen that provides food taking into account different diets.
– There is a diet for patients with diabetes, for people with high cholesterol. We also adhere to cultural specifics – we do not give foreigners pork, so our food is healthy – it's poultry, beef, fish. It would be difficult to cook for all national groups. Sometimes we hold meetings with the head chef, attended by women residents of the center. They ask for changes, for example, they don't like the dish "beans Breton style", but they love Polish pea soup.
Indeed, it would be difficult to cater to the tastes of all residents, because the center is truly international – representatives from Congo, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Ukraine, and, surprisingly, there was even an American citizen. Bożena Myszk finds common ground with everyone.
– I am very pleased when I receive a commendation from the school principal that my clients' children have the best results. I don't hide that you become very attached to people. But on the other hand, it's also nice to hand over the decision after which they leave and start a new life.
The longest resident in Dębak was a family from Chechnya – 4 years. That's how long the refugee status procedure took. But not everyone gets this status. I managed to talk with Ruslan from Donbas, who plans to return home. As Ruslan emphasized, the conditions in the center are good, and the administration cares about maintaining a normal attitude towards foreigners. The center in Dębak regularly organizes Open Days, in which local residents participate.