Michal in his home town, Torunń, Poland - at the top of the historic clock tower in the old quarter.
Our recently published article at this link on Les Pierogi Polish Restaurant sparked this article about the Photographer/Digital Nomad who took the delicious photos for the restaurant (see below). Michal Grupa recently moved to Geneva, "I started working with Les Pierogi in the last couple months. Monika and Marek are fantastic people, the food they prepare is delicious and the atmosphere they've created is truly unique! To my surprise, it was very difficult to find any information about their restaurant online. There was no website. I couldn't find any reviews. They didn't even appear on Google maps, or any maps! I had no choice, but to offer my services and help showcase what they're doing with the help of online marketing and the power of social media. It's a great feeling to check in on how their day is going and to hear they're selling out of everything! We've come far in a short time."
Michal explains, "I was born in Poland and moved to New York with my parents when I was 10. I've since fell in love with the travel lifestyle and focused on nurturing a set of skills which allows me to be location independent in my work. I've explored 35+ countries with more adventures on the horizon! When I first arrived here, Geneva gave me a bit of a cold shoulder. The first few days of walking around, I kept wondering why everyone looks so mad! I soon realized underneath all the 'business' there are great people here, doing beautiful things. I find my inspiration in its surroundings, the snowcapped mountains in the distance, the crisp air and crystal clear waters of the lake. It's great to have access to all the perks of city living while remaining close to nature. No wonder I don't run into many Swiss when I'm abroad, they've got it pretty good here!"
He began transitioning from regular old-fashioned work to the digital nomad lifestyle quickly. Travel photography and simple videos were used as a simple way of keeping family and friends up to date. "As I got better, I begun offering my services professionally. Soon clients started to multiply, I'm excited to see where this path leads. My content is starting to get popular and it's opening interesting doors for me. I'm working with several brands, creating and optimizing their online presence, building websites, offering translation services and consulting. My last video on Lisbon (see below) got picked up by several Portuguese travel-related accounts and got over 75k views! We only have one shot at life and I don't want to be asleep at the wheel for mine. I constantly look for new experiences and ways to grow. I've gotten good at wearing many hats and I love helping people succeed in their endeavors."
by Natasha Scott, ESCA volunteer
My father-in-law’s two-year battle with cancer left him indigent. He was a successful lawyer with his own firm, a source of wisdom for his kids, a multi-marathon runner, and a volunteer for a community support group. For fun, he dabbled in the stock market and collected antique pens. Perhaps he smoked too much, or drank too much or perhaps genetics worked against him, but when cancer appeared and treatments began, he went from being independent and energetic to an emaciated version of his best self—too sick to work, to drive, unable to digest solid food, too tired to clean and sometimes bathe. His journey was not unique. Cancer can create a profound change in how you live, and it doesn’t give you a choice.
But my father-in-law was fortunate. He had many people in his life able to help him. Not everyone does and so thankfully there are associations like the English Speaking Cancer Association (ESCA) that can offer peer support for many patients who need help getting to appointments, filling prescriptions, grocery shopping or just walking the dog. However, peer support is not only for patients. It’s also there for the silent heroes who, either out of love or out of goodness, provide an unwavering support, for months or sometimes years, to someone diagnosed with cancer.
In Britain they’re called carers. In North America, they’re called caregivers. Collectively, they are the family, friends and neighbours who look after people who are ill. Many times care giving is a daunting role that one day is suddenly thrust upon them.
Jonathan Elzingre, RBL Swiss Branch Chairman (right) with James Pearsall, RBL Swiss Branch Committee Member (left) at the recent Expat-Expo fair in Geneva.
During the recent updating for the 10th Edition of Know-it-all passport®, we had a series of emails with the the Swiss Branch of the Royal British Legion. As we corresponded it became apparent that there are many potential areas of interest for our readers. Read on to find out more!
What is the Royal British Legion ?
The Royal British Legion, was founded in 1921 on the initiative of Field Marshal Earl Haig, following the First World War, which left thousands injured and scarred by their experiences. For those who returned home leaving millions dead, particularly on the battlefields of Northern France and Belgium, the world would never be the same. Haig’s aim was to provide dignity and self-respect through employment, particularly for the disabled.
There have been many casualties in conflicts since the two World Wars. The Legion is today the United Kingdom’s leading charity safeguarding the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served in the Armed Forces and their dependants. The Legion currently spends more than £73 million pounds providing welfare services and relieving distress. Support is given at every level – from advice about benefits to grants for household appliances, as well as the provision of nursing homes.
The non-profit organization, Serve The City Geneva, is looking for volunteers to help them out at the next big community event in their calendar: the Samedi de Partage.
Taking place on 4 June 2016, the Partage event is normally held twice a year and enables Serve The City Geneva's partner organizations to offer a hot meal to over 900 people every day.
About 40 to 50 helpers will be needed at the June event to collect food and personal care products in 4 stores across Geneva. Shifts are generally 3 or 4 hours long, and you can sign up for 1 or 2 shifts.
So who is Serve The City Geneva and why are they involved in this event? Volunteer, Gary Vannatter, told knowitall.ch,
"STC Geneva is an organization that aims to mobilise volunteers by partnering with existing organisations that are already serving the poor and marginalised. By mobilising resources in the form of volunteers to organizations, we believe we can impact individual lives and the communities we serve. The organization partners with homeless shelters, refugee centres, orphanages, and other associations, and invites volunteers to show kindness through practical help and support."
Below is a list of the website pages where you can access information on upcoming events hosted by local networking organizations. These links are being updated regularly so if you spot a broken link, please let us know! You can also find information on networking events on our Events Calendar and Activities Calendar for Adults.
American International Club of Geneva
American International Women’s Club of Geneva
American International Women’s Club of Lausanne
British Swiss Chamber of Commerce
BSCC events
BSCC Member Events
BSCC Partner and Community Events
