The Institute for Modern Education, founded in 2021, at the end of the same year came to possession of the Villa Rekin and started renovating it to become the Center for Modern Education. Yet, the Russian invasion on Ukraine surprised us all and already in April 2022 the Institute board decided to temporarily use the building as the Refugee Support Center with the focus on education. The cooperation with the Open Kashubia Association began. Very soon we opened the kindergarten for refugee children. During the first several months, we focused on material support for incoming families. Then, various educational programs began focusing on making Ukrainian mothers capable to enter the labour market in Gdansk. Altogether with the Open Kashubia Association, we ran almost 40 humanitarian convoys to Ukraine, including places such as the Donbas region, Kherson, Bucha, Irpien and many others - usually personally driven by Institute CEO. In 2024, everyone started getting used to the war, with the funding for educational programs for refugees drying out. Yet, we are certain that the needs are still colossal. Hence, we opened our villa for guests from all over the world to fund our mission. In march 2024 we started renovating our Representative Apartments and the garden area which will be available for guests starting 19 April 2024. In all our activities we maintain top quality standards. As we cooperate with local community, we provide support with booking tours or buying food from local farmers at your request. Please contact us in advance if anything needed not to miss it - during high season even tourist attractions run out fast.

Willa Rekin (eng: the Shark Villa), also known as the Former House of Letttin family, is situated in the very heart of the old Oliwa district of Gdansk, just 3 min walk from the local & international train station Gdansk-Oliwa, 5 mins from the wonderful Oliwa Park hosting the Gdansk Cathedral as well as the Abbots' Palace, 5 mins from Oliwa stream taking us to popular Jelitkowo beach (30 mins walk from the villa, or much faster by public transportation available). Villa Rekin is a historical marvel of Oliwa being recognized by the majority of locals. Dating back to 1909, it was soon hosted by the famous Litten family. Then, after the WW II, the family of Pawel Janczukowicz moved in. Pawel was a participant of the defensive war of 1939, later a prisoner of the Oflag, member of underground organizations, a councilor of Gdańsk, PhD at the Gdansk University of Technology. His son, Jerzy Janczukowicz, was one of the most famous Gdansk collectors. Not only has he founded the Gdansk Diving Club "Rekin" ("shark") which gave the contemporary name to his villa, but also conducted various exploration activities in inland and sea waters. Since 1994, he led the Shark Underwater Research Center. Since 2001, Jerzy displayed a T-34/85 tank and several military trucks purchased from the Military Property Agency in front of Villa Rekin which became one of the symbols of Oliwa district with citizens protesting when authorities ordered their removal in 2013. Jerzy died in 2020. His son, Michal, married Karolina, PhD, who has also been the Chairwoman of the Program Council of the Institute for Modern Education - which became the next & current occupier of the villa. The Institute transformed the villa. Many objects were donated to local museums. Inside renovations (fire-proof painting of the wooden villa, installing air-conditioning) were followed by opening the 800 sqm. garden. For more information read the "About the company" section.

Tourist attractions within 15 MINUTES ON FOOT from the villa: Archcathedral Basilica of the Holy Trinity in Oliwa, Gdańsk - as it dates back to XII century, please check the wikipedia for more details :-) The Abbots' Palace in Oliwa - a rococo palace in Oliwa. It houses the Department of Modern Art of the National Museum in Gdansk, and along with the Cistercian-Cathedral complex in Oliwa it is listed as a Historic Monument of Poland. Oliwa Park - hosting Mozartiana Summer Festival, the Palm House or Archbishop's gardens. Former Old Oliwa Market with various restaurants and cafes. International and local train station Gdańsk Oliwa. Tourist attractions within 15 MINUTES BY UBER from the villa: Gdansk & Sopot beaches - Jelitkowo, Brzezno, Sopot. Some people come to Gdansk only to experience those :-) Sopot party resort - with countless clubs, pubs and restaurants, the undisputed party capital of Poland. Gdansk Old Town - the historical old town of Gdansk with Neptune monument, Dluga Street and Motlava river. Gdansk Airport