Poland Service Program Blog

2011-10-07T18:51:00.005+02:00

Message of the day (by Edmund): A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate amongst them.

On our final day of teaching, we started off the day with a magnificent breakfast of eggs w/ tomatoes, red peppers and onions in addition to the other stuff that is available to us daily. Jim had his usual portion of bran with yogurt saying that he's going to eat light for breakfast today to make room for all of the goodies that we'll be getting during our coffee/tea breaks in the schools.

Cisie school was something else today. All of us were well prepared with our usual lesson plans but there was just something different in the school. My 4th graders were acting rather strangely during the first hour. They were whispering more than usual, writing things on paper with different colored crayons, sneaking items to each other thinking I can't see them, you know, the usual stuff that goes on in the Polish classroom.

Well, after our coffee/tea break, I returned to my classroom to a wonderful surprise. When I entered the room, all of the children rose from their chairs and said, "Thank you, Pan Ed!" On the blackboard were beautiful messages like, "Thanks, Pan Ed!"..."We love you, Pan Ed!" Then, while still standing they sang "Sto lat!" It was so beautiful...and, let me tell you, it was tough keeping back the tears.

The children then presented me with assorted hand-written notes of thanks, a plastic electric clock, candy, and other cute little things. I couldn't dare ruin the rest of the morning for these kids and start teaching again! We just chit-chatted after that, and that was okay. I got hugs...and yeah, I hugged back.

I know that I wasn't alone in being on the receiving end of cute little gifts, personal notes of thanks from the students, hugs from the little ones, and so on. All of the volunteers were surprised by the genuine love and gratitude of these poor children. As one of the volunteers said last week, "You know, we're learning a lot more than the kids," and, as a result, we've become better people from our interactions with the Polish people and children.

Then Andrzej whisked-us-away in his taxi enroute to Spoleczna. We saw the same green houses, a stork's nest on the telephone pole, farming fields on the left and on the right, that we saw during our daily trips to the semi-private school. The farms and fields are absolutely beautiful! We are so lucky to be here. After a brief get-together in the faculty room, we entered our classrooms.

The first hour was pretty much routine...reading, writing, pronunciation ("th"), math, days of the week, etc. Then we took our coffee/tea break, had our caffeine fix, ate a couple of cookies, and returned to class. When I walked into the classroom, both of my 4th grade classes greeted me with a "Thank you, Pan Ed!" They then presented me with a book about the area around which my grandmother was born in Poland (Downary), a Chopin CD, chocolate cookies, pictures of students from both classes (dressed in costume), and more thank you notes than I care to mention in this Journal entry. As at my other morning school, it was hard to hold back the tears. Every student wanted me to see his/her picture in the class photo...every student thanked me for helping them with conversational English...every 10 year old student made me feel like I was making a positive change in their lives. It felt good. It felt real good.

Then it was back to Reymontowka. I don't think I said too much on our taxi-ride back. I was that emotionally drained.

I forgot what we had for lunch...oopps, it was a breaded sole w/ tartar sauce that was outstanding! Now, for those of you who know me, I like to eat. I looked around the table for some leftovers that I usually get from a couple of the volunteers who don't eat that much, but there was nothing left on their plates! I have to talk to Dorota about serving an extra setting next time of the fish dinner.

We went to our rooms and four (4) of us started packing for our return trip home to the States and making last minute changes to our itineraries. I can't wait to get an email from Rita and Jim as they venture through the highways and byways of Poland during the next week. I wish them much luck on their adventures.

We just finished a wonderful dinner in the fireplace room...what a fitting location for our final dinner at Reymontowka! A couple of teachers from Cisie and Spoleczna as well as the Pani Dyrektor from Spoleczna joined us for dinner. We talked and laughed...that's the way it should be.

Thanks for all of your help and support fellow volunteers. I had a wonderful time with all of you. I hope you share my feelings.

By Edmund.

2011-10-05T18:47:00.000+02:00

Message of the day (Jim):

No one has the right to take for granted his own disadvantages over others in health, in talents, in ability, in success, in a happy childhood or congenial home conditions. One must pay a price for all these boons. What one owes in return is a special responsibility for other lives. (Albert Schweitzer, author of Teaching Reverence for Life.)

Today we experienced the “going to work” and “construction” traffic jam on the way to the Spoleczna Middle School in Siedlce. I liked the way Andrzej weaved his way around traffic and roundabouts, driving down side roads to get us to school on time.

At Cisie Elementary we had a wonderful celebration in honor of past, present, and hopefully future volunteers. Poland was the first country to request that volunteers teach English and now it’s an option in the Global Volunteer Program for all countries. The celebration began with the 4th grade children, in costume, dancing the Mazur beautifully. Then Iza and Jola led their Scouts in the Belgium dance, followed by songs or performances by several groups of children. The local dignitaries extended words of welcome and thanksgiving to the volunteers and hosts, commending them for their cooperation and efforts to improve the opportunities of the children through sharing language and culture. Afterward the hosts, dignitaries and volunteers gathered for coffee, cake and more conversation.

But that’s not the end of our unusual day. The staff at Cisie Elementary invited us for an evening picnic. It was quite a sight when everyone was roasting kielbasa over a roaring bonfire. We chatted, sang and danced. A special performance was given by Jim and Ed to the song “Pretty Woman” which delighted everyone. I think we have all learned to appreciate and enjoy the people of Poland and their customs!

2011-10-04T18:41:00.002+02:00

Message of the Day (shared by Rita):

I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish. (Mother Teresa)

Plates of aromatic crepes greeted us for breakfast. Is there a better way to start the day?
Schedules were announced, amended by the Wednesday Cisie program from 10 to 12 noon. Our taxi driver, Andrzej, would pick us up Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and take us to Spoleczna Middle School and return us to Cisie by 10:00 a.m.

Pat tells us that rehearsals have been underway for a while and she suspects that her third graders trot out the same song each year. But then, why not?

A beautiful sunny afternoon walk brought us close to several handsome horses changing pastures. Further down the dirt road were two virtually hidden bunkers, left over from the Russian occupation following WWII.

Again the kitchen outdid themselves. At supper Polish Pizza appeared on two large plates. Amazingly the 12 inch long open faced sandwiches discreetly disappeared. The combination of mushrooms, pickles, meat and melted cheese was a unanimous winner. Off to prepare for tomorrow; days are now speeding by as we accept and return party invitations with our host teachers. May the beautiful weather linger a bit longer.

By Carol.

2011-09-30T18:28:00.000+02:00

Message of the day (by Pat): You have brains in your head and shoes on your feet you can go anywhere. Dr. Seuss (paraphrased)

After a restful night’s sleep, the volunteers were ready for another hearty breakfast comprised of apple fritters, various cold cuts, veggies, coffee and tea. Um, um, GOOD!

The Cisie drivers arrived on time, as usual, and we were driven to our teaching assignments. The Cisie children were anxiously awaiting our arrival greeting us with “Good morning!” at every turn. The classes went smoothly, and before long we were taken in Andrzej’s taxi to Spoleczna, the semi-private school in Siedlce.

After spending a week with my fellow volunteers, I get a kick out of the various pronunciations of Siedlce. Don’t worry volunteers, there will be many more after us who will have difficulty pronouncing Siedlce. Maybe we should consider changing it to Shuttletown or something.
In my estimation, the children at Spoleczna appear to be a little more advanced than the children I taught in other schools in the past. The majority of my fourth graders are smart, responsive, and eager to learn. I have one kid in my class, Filip, who reads better than I do…well, come to think of it, that ain’t sayin’ much since I’m from New Jersey.

We returned to Reymontowka for yet another delicious meal: Vegetable soup, pork with a delicious honey-mustard sauce, french fries and veggies. Oh man, was that good!

After lunch, we remained in the dining room to discuss weekend travel arrangements for Carol, Rita, and Jim’s weekend trip to Lublin. I knew this was going to be an interesting trip for this adventuresome threesome when one of them asked, “I thought we were going West to Lublin?” You see, folks, Lublin is in the other direction and South of Siedlce.

Oh, I forgot to mention that Pat and Jim went across the street to pick some raspberries for their cereals the next morning. Unfortunately, Jim won’t have any for breakfast because he ate all of his already.

Pat was making plans to go to Warsaw with Gosia. Poor Ed had to stay at Reymontowka and monitor the decibel levels of the music at the wedding that’s taking place on Saturday. Don’t feel too sorry for Ed, however, he has plans to have lunch with the new Kasia/Kate and her husband and two children on Saturday, and another lunch on Sunday with Jola and former Cisie Pani Dyrektor, Bozena.

After a refreshing break on the patio, we sat down for our final meal of the day. Jim finally got his potato pancakes which he has been anxiously awaiting since he arrived here on Saturday, which, I might add, he devoured voraciously. There wasn’t a single potato pancake left on the platters.

I am sure I’m speaking for the rest of the volunteers when I say I’m having a blast here in Poland. Thank you Dorota for making it all possible. Jeszcze Polska nie zginela.

2011-09-29T18:24:00.001+02:00

Message of the day (by Edmund): Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Another day in our Polish Paradise. Breakfast featured Polish cheese along with our usual terrific breakfast trimmings.

Our teaching schedule was slightly altered with the addition of a student concert at the Spoleczna School. The concert was a unique chance to see and hear traditional Polish Folk music. The program was well received by students. The visiting group of four adult musicians noted our presence as visitors and played a Jewish foxtrot, written in Poland and dedicated to America. It was a truly neat experience.

All group members will be off on weekend excursions, except Ed, who plans on relaxing and hopefully picking a few local raspberries for our warm fuzzy group of volunteers.

Rita and I tutored three neighborhood 7th grade girls who walked over to Reymontowka. A good example of 3 great kids wanting to improve their English skills.

A spaghetti supper capped off the day with prunes in whipping cream for dessert – PRICELESS.

2011-09-28T18:13:00.000+02:00

Message of the day (shared by Jim):
One generation plants the trees; another gets the shade. (Chinese proverb)

Today is Wednesday, our second day of teaching and what could be better than starting with placki (fritters) and coffee? The food at the Manor is presented so beautifully. Carol said that there must be an artist in the kitchen.

Arriving at school, we meet the students – so welcoming and helpful. Most of us are still struggling to find our room or the teacher’s lounge. When the students see that we are lost, they direct us to the WC.

Today in class we were talking about wild animals and I shared some northern Minnesota stories about bear, wolf, deer and camping adventures. We were also reading excerpts from Star Wars and a story about the Iditarod Trail, explaining misunderstood words as we went along.

Suddenly the students stood up and I knew it had to be break time. Then off to the teacher’s lounge to share delicacies and coffee with the staff. It’s hard to believe that at noon we were ready to eat again and lunch is our biggest meal of the day.

A tasty chicken soup was the start of lunch. Are we stuffed yet? Of course, but we need extra energy to work for a few hours – planning tomorrow’s classes. In the resource room, we gave Dorota a workout – she can answer any question – and always with a smile. Carol then tutored a high school junior focusing on English phonics and Pat tutored three waitresses on English terms for food and beverages. Needing to clear our minds, we took a walk, always ready to dodge bicyclists or speeding cars on the road.

Previously we have had dinner in the “fireplace room”, but tonight we ate in the main dining room because we were the only guests in the Manor. Reymontowka Manor House is a beautiful place to stay while volunteering and we are so glad to be here.

By Rita.

2011-09-27T18:08:00.000+02:00

Message of the day (shared by Rita):
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. (Mother Theresa)

Finally, the first day of school! It meant a 7:00 a.m. breakfast, bountiful as always, and a 7:30 a.m. departure with either Iza or Gosia driving us to Cisie Elementary School.

Pat was to teach 2nd and 3rd grades, Jim and Ed with 4th graders, Rita with 5th graders, and Carol with the sixth graders—mercifully all small classes.

We entered, were escorted to the Teachers Lounge and shown to our individual classrooms.
Open, curious, smiling faces followed us with “Good Mornings” amidst a happy bedlam…an affectionate legacy from earlier Global Volunteers!

Comparing notes, I believe we each found a warm reception and traded “successful” approaches. Time did not stand still as we had feared, and students were genuinely responsive—Bingo, based on colors and shapes was a really enjoyable exchange in my classroom.

A discussion of different sports brought wide responses—girls favored snow-boarding, and boys, more predictably football/soccer.

Between classes we were invited to the Faculty Lounge for coffee or tea and elegant pastries—Just saying “No!” proved hard!

The Spoleczna van needed service, so a local taxi driver, Andrzej, delivered all five of us to the Spoleczna School in Siedlce. Here again a noisy chorus of “Good Mornings,” and small, responsive classes. Our morale was definitely improving, and courage returning. The Faculty Lounge offered another round of tantalizing goodies…promise of a weight gain!

Again at lunch we shared insights over pickle soup. For Jim and Rita, a young university graduate would be coming for an hour’s tutoring mid-afternoon.

Wednesday would come soon enough, but our initial exposure today was most reassuring. Our students are attentive and responsive. Aren’t we lucky to be a part of Global Volunteers’ 21st season here in Poland under Dorota’s confidence-building leadership.

By Carol.

2011-09-25T17:48:00.005+02:00

Message of the Day (shared by Pat):
A life lived for others is the only one worth living. Albert Einstein

What a great new team of volunteers: Jim and Rita from the cold northern parts of MN; Carol from West Palm Beach, FL and a summer home near Boston, MA; Pat, the veteran volunteer from the farmlands of IL; and, yours truly, Edmund from Ewing, NJ.

For you newcomers to Reymontowka, you will note that most of our entries into the Journal will concentrate on what we ate that day. For example, our first breakfast at the Manor House consisted of a halved hard-boiled egg floating in a deliciously thickened mustard sauce, various cold cuts, fresh vegetables, just delivered hot rolls, juice, coffee, and tea. A hearty meal indeed. When Carol looked at her breakfast dish, she asked Rita if she would like some, thinking that the plate was to be shared by everyone at the table. Lo and behold, Carol was told that that is her breakfast, not the table's.

During our initial Orientation meeting, Our Fearless Leader, Dorota, gave us a brief history of Poland and commented that Poland was freed from communism in 1989. Since then, Poland has prospered handsomely. Global Volunteers offered its services to Poland soon after that but had to change its focus of providing "hands" to Poland and provide something that Poland really needed, the understanding and usage of the English language. To paraphrase what the founder of Global Volunteers said during his meeting with the Polish representatives asking for assistance, he said that "Global Volunteers have never done anything like that before." And the Polish representative responded, "They'll be speaking English, won't they?" Many years hence, Global Volunteers has provided over 2,600 volunteers to teach conversational English to the children of Poland.

Continuing with the Orientation, the team of volunteers offered the following as its three goals:

1. To assist students with their ESL activities.
2. To be goodwill ambassadors.
3. To learn and appreciate Polish culture and its people.

The team then listed the types of characteristics that it would need to be an effective team:

1. A sense of humor 7. Flexibility
2. Cooperation 8. Patience
3. Communication 9. Tolerance
4. Openness 10. Dedication
5. Open-mindedness 11. Kindness
6. Honesty 12. Helpfulness

Dorota then distributed the Journal Entry Schedule as well as the Teaching Assignments. We were informed that all five team members will be teaching in the same schools: Cisie and Spoleczna.

At Cisie, Pat will be teaching Grades 2 & 3; Edmund--Group 1 in Grade 4; Jim--Group 2 in Grade 4; Rita--Grade 5; and, Carol--Grade 6. At Spoleczna, Pat will be teaching Grade 3; Edmund--Grade 4; Jim--1st Junior High School; Rita--2nd Junior High School; and Carol--3rd Junior High School.

Dorota gave out additional tutoring assignments as follows:

Pat at the Zelkow elementary school as well as tutoring Reymontowka waitresses.
Edmund will be the Team Journal Coordinator as well as tutoring a couple of middle school students.
Rita and Jim will be tutoring Agnes, an aspiring student.
Carol will be tutoring Kasia (Kate), a high school student.

Along with Our Fearless Leader, all of the volunteers went to the 12 o'clock Mass at the old wooden Trinity Church built in 1776, down the dirt road from Reymontowka. A beautiful church. The Polish people in church knew we were from Global Volunteers because we were with Dorota.

After Mass, a delicious lunch was served consisting of mushroom soup, a pork cutlet topped with tomato and melted cheese, carrot and red cabbage salads, juice, coffee and tea.

After some much-needed free time, the Team met with various representatives of Cisie and Spoleczna to find out what the schools would like to see the volunteers concentrate on during their class assignments. The English speaking representatives of the schools were very encouraging and the one thing that got my attention was when Kasia/Kate from Spoleczna said to me: "The students will be more nervous than you will be in the classroom. All of you will do well." Yeah, easy for her to say.

Another Orientation meeting followed, but this one had an added ingredient: classical piano music in the background. The young lady who will be performing tonight at a recital was practicing on the grand piano.
A simple but delicious supper was served: cold cuts, veggies, and a creamy dessert with fresh raspberries.

The Team and other guests at Reymontowka attended a concert this evening featuring eleven year old Alicja Rokita, an aspiring young pianist studying at the School of Music in Warsaw, and a student of forte pianist, Krzysztof Rynkiewicz, who performed for us several years ago.

Just a typical beautiful day in beautiful Poland. Good luck team members.

Edmund.

2011-07-29T11:48:00.005+02:00

Message of the day: You must be the change you want to see in the world. (Attributed to Mahatma Ghandi and shared by Mary.)

Our day began as usual at 8:15 with the morning meeting. We then each taught the final classes for our groups. Each class spent some time on getting prepared for their class presentation during the final program anticipated for this evening. During the 3rd and 4th hours of class the students were divided into two groups. One group participated in the traditional scavenger hunt while the other group had a chance to learn about American football from Bobby, Robert, and Raghav. Each group then switched to the other activity for the 4th hour, although some of the boys managed to spend both hours playing American football.

The afternoon found some volunteers cleaning and re-organizing the work room. We could hear the campers doing rehearsal for other parts of their program presentations.

At 6 PM we gathered in the tent for the Final Program. It began with the campers singing. Then the campers performed a play about tolerance.

The presentations by the eight English class groups followed next. These ranged from a song about being Lazy to the song,5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed,to Sponge-Bob. Dance performances followed. The campers closed the performances by singing Kocham Cię Polsko ("I Love You, Poland").

All then went to the bonfire area for kielbasa, conversation, and some good-byes.

Journal prepared by Lori

2011-07-27T11:45:00.002+02:00

Message of the day: The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous. (Attributed to Carl Sagan and shared by Lisa.)

Today we had a very busy day. We started off with our usual classes that seemed to go well for everyone even though the rain prevented outdoor activities again. During the third and fourth hour of classes there were presentations. Kinga spoke about Scotland where she is studying at a university. Lisa and Bobby shared information about Kansas. Robert did a presentation about New Jersey with a hint of New York included which the kids really enjoyed. They particularly loved seeing the photo of Robert's red 1967 Mustang.

We then had a quick obiad and headed for Siedlce for some shopping and a visit to a museum that features an El Greco painting.

The evening featured the camp weddings. About 40 people got “married.”This included some of the volunteers. Alas, these marriages will end with the final day of camp! Many stayed and danced and had a blast. All in all it was a very busy and exciting day.

Journal prepared and read by Lisa on July 28

2011-07-26T11:42:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn’t know you left open. (Attributed to John Barrymore and shared by Rita)

After our 2 regular classes with the student groups, Mary gave an interesting and well-prepared presentation on the US showing different types of landscapes across the country. Then she highlighted the areas that had Polish immigrants or showed signed of Polish culture. The children enjoyed this. Lori then shared her experiences by showcasing Hungary. It was like a travel tour and very thorough and well put together.

After lunch, Mary, Robert, Bobby, Ola, and Lori went to Treblinka to experience the memorial of the atrocities that occurred there. On the way, they were able to enjoy the quaint and natural beauty of the village and countryside of Poland.

Rita stayed at Reymontowka and took another bike tour of the surrounding area and the town of Kotun.

The evening gave us entertainment once again. This time it was Talent Show #2!! There is really so much talent here in the children of Poland and they do love to perform. After Talent Show last week many of the children brought back music or costumes from their homes and asked to do another talent show. It is good to see their strength and confidence.

Journal prepared and read by Rita on July 27

2011-07-25T11:39:00.002+02:00

Message of the day: We cannot prepare a future for your youth, but we can prepare our youth for the future. (Attributed to Franklin D. Roosevelt and shared by Lori)

Our day began with breakfast at 8:15 with the thought of the day (See above). In addition, we welcomed Lisa, a new team member. She is replacing Sherry who returned to the U.S. on Saturday.

Dorota reviewed our schedule for the rest of the week, including third and fourth period classes and evening activities. She also explained that the director for Reymontowka was offering a Tuesday or Thursday field trip option: a visit to Treblinka or to Siedlce, including a stop at the museum which houses an El Greco painting. The volunteers opted for a Tuesday trip to Treblinka.

During the fourth hour today, Beata and Sunil gave a presentation to the students, volunteers, and staff on the country of India. Over lunch, we discussed the morning activities that we each had with our students, with some volunteers reporting that students were somewhat more difficult to engage in the classes than last week, and one teacher indicating that her students were quite tired. General consensus was that this was related to excitement of the weekend and re-adjusting to camp routine.

After lunch, Dorota met with the volunteers to assess progress toward team goals, and overall we felt that we were meeting the goals that we established at the beginning of our experience. Dorota also distributed Global Volunteers’ forms for referral of prospective volunteers and the Post-Service Program Evaluation forms, asking that volunteers return them to her this week.

In the evening the students presented a fashion show and volunteers present were asked to suggest “best dressed” in the sport and evening wear categories for both boys and girls.

Journal prepared and read by Mary on July 26

2011-07-24T11:38:00.000+02:00

This weekend everyone went to various places. On Saturday, the children had a field trip to Kazimierz Dolny. Bobby, Robert, Mary, and Lori went with them. In Kazimierz Dolny all first visited a ravine that features a natural display of tree roots. The group next stopped in the Rynek for a short visit and then continued on for a boat ride on the Wisła.

On Sunday, Rita, Mary, and Lori had a wonderful time in Warsaw.

2011-07-22T11:32:00.003+02:00

Message of the day: We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers. (Attributed to Carl Sagan and shared by Bobby)

Wow! The week has gone by quickly. We taught our usual three classes, and were glad for a bit of sun that made it possible to do some teaching activities outdoors. During the fourth hour of class, Rita and Raghav provided a presentation about Canada. Later Rita shared that one of her students came up to her with leaves in hand, and said, “This is maple leaf.”

During the afternoon we had a bit of a chance to sort out teaching materials and re-organize the resource room a bit. Some of us sat on the patio with the Polish staff and enjoyed conversation.

About 4:30 we went to the dining room and had a snack. Then at 7:30, Dorota and her husband and Sunil returned to Reymontowka and took us all to the Bollywood/Hollywood restaurant. We all enjoyed our dinners very much, and everyone said it was the best Indian food they had ever eaten. Such a change made it really felt like we had taken a break from work.

Lori.

2011-07-21T22:25:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: Never say you are making the last journey (Attributed to Felix Zandman, a holocaust survivor. The quote is from his book, Never the Last Journey. )

Our day started with breakfast at 8:15 a.m. We heard the quote of the day (see above) and then Dorota reviewed our agenda for the day. She reminded us that the students will be presenting Polish Night this evening and that we are invited to stay afterward to meet with the camp director.

Some of the classroom work in the morning included “What’s the Action?” worksheets, the “Win, Lose, or Draw” activity, games such as Boggle and Scrabble that help students to learn vocabulary, making collages, and sentence building. The fourth lesson of the day the students participated in some lively dancing to English language songs that included “YMCA”, “Cotton-Eyed Joe”, and “The Chicken Dance.” Volunteers joined in the festivities.

After lunch, those volunteers that chose to do so went on a field trip to Sucha and Liw. At Sucha we toured a restored manor house which had been badly damaged during the Second World War. We also walked through some of the extensive grounds and were able to tour one of the additional 20 buildings at the site. The buildings were original structures, but re-located to Sucha. At Liw we visited the historic armor museum housed in a gothic castle, and some of the volunteers also climbed to the top of the castle tower.

After the evening meal the volunteers were treated to Polish Night. The students performed traditional Polish dances and songs. After the program the camp director and staff hosted a get-together featuring Polish specialty foods. Everyone had an opportunity to introduce themselves and to present some information about how and why they became involved at Reymontowka.

2011-07-20T22:33:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: Men achieve certain greatness unawares, when working to another aim. (Attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson).

Our first teaching day had a rainy start, but it didn't dampen our ability to teach and to teach in an enjoyable manner for our students. It seems as though all of the teachers never fell short of activities, showing that there's more to learning English than lectures on grammar...an important reminder due to the age groups and levels (varying beginners) we are teaching.

For instance, learning was seen through with games of Simon Says, Boggle, Mathematical Jenga, Uno, and Hangman-... Build-a-Person rather, and I Spy. Of course, there were word searches and hidden pictures. To further the learning experience for my own group, I had 5 hidden picture sets. With 10 students in my class, I made sure no two students near to each other received the same hidden picture puzzle. It took them a bit to realize that they didn't have 10 different puzzles. When they were finished with one, I had them say the items that were found, to check and correct pronunciation. They received the next puzzle, until all 5 were completed. A lesson by another teacher incorporated the use of collages, where students put together their interests and went into explanations, which eventually became one monster collage, entitled "Our World."

We have been practicing songs with our children and what this meant for today was performing the song in the last hour. The songs included, "Take me out to the Ball Game," "This Land is Your Land," "The Farmer and the Dell," and one that I'm partial to, "Older" by They Might Be Giants. I can't get across how proud I am of my own group of young students. If I had interaction with the others though, I know I'd feel the same. As I've seen their personal talents at the show they provided later on.

As I've said, this was Talent Show night for the student campers. It's a great feeling to see some of students' talents. Some of their talents included, singing, dancing (break-dancing), illusion, a roving art display, and classical piano from several of them.

And so, I await Polish night with great anticipation!

2011-07-19T22:19:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: Why do I listen? Because I know what I know, but I want to know what he knows. (A life motto of Tom, husband of Sherry who shared this powerful thought with us.)

The morning began at 8:15 with the thought of the day and a short meeting where we decided each group would present a song at assembly on Wednesday. After songs were chosen breakfast was served and we left for our classes. During the 4th hour the students participated in songs presented through an animated DVD.

All volunteers and the Polish English teachers gathered at lunch and the consensus seemed to be that today was an easier day. It seemed that we were all better prepared and more relaxed now that we knew our students and their abilities.

At 2:00 we left for Siedlce where we met the deputy governor. She is a lovely lady and thanked us for our service. She gave a talk about Poland and Siedlce and offered us drinks and was very hospitable.

After 45 minutes we left and Kinga and Ola, two of the Polish English staff, took us on a walk through Siedlce where we saw the cathedral built built in 1905 and then the oldest church in Siedlce, along with some more historic buildings.
We ended our tour at the Bollywood Hollywood Indian restaurant which is owned by Sunil and Beata who are Polish English teachers for this camp and also the aunt and uncle of Raghav.

Back for dinner, class prep and initiation of the campers here for the first time. While waiting for the initiation challenges to be prepared by the camp counselors, the students sang Kocham Cie Polsko. This included a dance performance by some of the boys. Those who are first campers then took a blindfolded walk through an obstacle course, then had to kiss the ring of the queen, and then take a sip of raspberry juice.

2011-07-18T22:13:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. (Attributed to Winston Churchill)

The first day was filled with anticipation and apprehension, but was very successful and rewarding. All the groups began with 'getting to know you' activities. We then proceeded to evaluate our students' knowledge level. There were exercises and games played to review letters, words, numbers, time, shapes, objects and directions. Two groups learned how to play Frisbee.

After lunch several volunteers went to the nearby village of Kotuñ, visited stores, and stopped at a café for a refreshing drink. Afterwards, Robert was energetic and ran 5K. Rita remained at camp and played tennis with the girls and swam.

In the evening, the volunteers watched the students practice and perform an inspirational song, The Book is Closed, about Pope John Paul II, led by the camp director. They also prepared to present a traditional Polish dance for their Polish evening.

2011-07-16T21:57:00.002+02:00

Our team began gathering from several locations in Poland. Rita and Robert left Zakopane with their Zakopane students who were returning to northeast Poland and arrived at Reymontowka about 4:30 PM. Meanwhile, Mary got to Warsaw a few minutes after 2 PM after having problems getting out of Minnesota due to thunderstorms. The Reymontowka van then collected Sherry, Bobby, and Lori. We slowly made our way to Reymontowka, delayed primarily by various road construction projects.

We all met each other at the dining table, each of us having a meal that fit our needs for our day’s travel. We also watched the festivities associated with a wedding that was taking place at Reymontowka After the evening meal had concluded Lori walked the volunteers around the Reymontowka grounds. We all retired to our rooms hearing the music playing from the wedding reception.

Sunday, July 17

We gathered for breakfast at 8:30. Following this delightful meal and discussions about the experiences of sleeping or not sleeping through the wedding reception, we went to the work room to begin the orientation experience.

Dorota began the meeting by describing the history of Global Volunteers work in Poland and sharing information about the host organization for the language camp. Next the team members reviewed Global Volunteer guidelines related to their service. Dorota then introduced the journal and thought for the day assignments. Robert provided an example from a Mark Twain quote related to how traveling stops bigotry and prejudice. Dorota also explained the service time logs.

The group next worked on establishing team goals and ended with four:
 To help camper students develop their English language skills;
 To exchange cultures;
 To have fun; and
 To grow as a teacher.

The group next worked on identifying the characteristics of an effective team, namely:
Respect, Cooperation, Offering praise, Sense of humor, Trying new things, Sharing, Flexibility, Establishing clear roles when doing joint classes; Patience, Empathy, Trust, Voicing concerns, Helpful, Considerate, Humility, Kindness, Sincere, Generosity, and Equal responsibility.

The group next identified team member skills and discussed teaching materials brought by members. Dorota provided a handout, Conversational English Teaching Notes. Dorota also provided an orientation to the wealth of teaching materials that have been provided by former Global Volunteers, now available in the Reymontowka work room.

Now the group adjourned and two team members went to Sunday Mass at the church in Źeliszew Duży. At 1:30 we all gathered for obiad. After the meal, Dorota provided a Polish language lesson.

At 3:30 we gathered in the tent with the camper students and all language camp staff, including the Global Volunteers introduced themselves to the students. The camper/students were interviewed to assess their English skills. At 6 PM we all again gathered in the tent and the students were placed into groups and then met briefly with their English teacher.

All then went to kolacja. Afterwards the work room was very busy with all the teachers planning their first day of classes, but some went outdoors for this task as the work room was quite warm.

2011-07-09T09:53:00.002+02:00

Those of us fortunate enough to sleep in heard only the quiet rumble of suitcase wheels early in the morning. It was quite amazing that so many people could leave so very quietly.

When Najale and Lori went to breakfast at the usual 8:15 time, Najale thought they had come early because no one was there; she had forgotten nearly everyone else had left. They were surprised to find two campers – boys who must be brothers – that relationship seems to have gotten right past us. The boys explained they were waiting for their parents to arrive in Zakopane. Then they were going to Lake Balaton in Hungry, then to Budapest, and then back to Krakow before returning to the Siedlce area. They explained all of this in very good English!

At 9 AM, Lori and Najale departed with Pani Dyrektor for Krakow, along with another of the Polish teachers who was keeping Teresa company on the long trip back to Siedlce. Lori sent a text to Dorota saying they were on their way to Krakow and received a message back saying all the other volunteers had arrived at the Krakow airport as planned.

As Sylvia noted in an earlier entry: All’s Well that Ends Well.

Friday, July 8

Message of the day: Find out the truth behind the sound bite and then go home and spread the word. Effective volunteers often end up making a bigger difference back home. Attributed to Pam Grout, author of 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life.

The day began with sunshine, but also a fierce wind. We gathered for the morning meeting not knowing exactly what the next hour would bring. However, the mountain guide arrived and said a climb of Giewont could be done. About 15 campers left for the mountain climb. Frank and Lori provided English language activities for the remaining campers – Taboo, Apples to Apples, and card games.

The Giewont climbers returned about 4 PM, happy with their accomplishment. They reported only be sprinkled on a couple of times by the rain. However, in the late afternoon the heavens again let loose with rain and sharp thunder and lightning.

We gathered at 7:15 P.M. in the work room for the final program. The program began with Pani Dryktor expressing thanks for the work of the volunteers and also saluting the students for their hard work and excellent behavior. The presentations opened with Tom’s group singing the song, You are my Sunshine. Next Lori’s group said a popular song by the Australian performer, Lenka. This was followed by Frank’s group whose presentation included the song, So Long, It’s Been Good to Know You. Jackie and David’s group sang two songs, one appropriately called I Love the Mountains, and then did the Hokey-Pokey. Sylvia’s group closed with We Will, We will Rock You. Each volunteer also expressed thanks for the opportunity to work with the students.
The program closed with three students thanking the volunteers for their English classes and thanking the Polish teachers for their work in creating the recreational activities.

The Polish teachers had planned to show a collection of photos, but experienced technical difficulty with the projector. Many gathered around the computer to see the artful work of Anita, one of the Polish teachers.

2011-07-07T09:51:00.001+02:00

Message of the day: If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right. Attributed to Henry Ford.

The sun is shining! Oh Happy Day! Today was the first day we awakened to a clear, sunny day. Seems hard to believe, but it’s true.

The volunteers worked with their regular assigned groups the first two hours. Then we exchanged students for the second two hours. We have Jackie to thank for working out the logistics to make the exchange go smoothly.

Because it was a sunny day the students went hiking on Gęsia Szyja (journal editor was told this means goose neck!). They returned around 19:00, tired but happy with the opportunity to have stretched their legs.

After supper it began to rain again, so the bonfire activities were moved inside to the work room. It turned out to be a wonderful experience. Someone played the guitar while a group a girls sang along. Sausages were roasted over an open fire, s’mores were constructed and consumed with delight, after searing the marshmallows, of course. It was a beautiful ending to a day that began with sunshine.

Congratulations to the entire group—teachers, volunteers, and students—for not letting Mother Nature dampen our spirits during the rainy two weeks.

2011-07-06T09:47:00.001+02:00

Message of day: Give a man a fish and he is fed for one day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a life time (Attributed by some as a Chinese proverb and by others to Anonymous).

Our morning meeting began at 8 AM. Sylvia gave an inspirational quote that most thought came from the Old Testament, but it was later discovered it was actually an old Chinese proverb.

It was decided that there would an exchange of classes for the last hour of the morning. All went well.

Lunch was served at the usual 1 PM time. Afterwards, there was a plan that some campers would go to the aqua park and bowling alley. (Later when speaking with students, the journal editor found no one did this and that some students instead engaged in a ping-pong tournament.)
Dorota arrived with some of the volunteers from the other summer camp about 3 PM. Some of our teaching volunteers had the opportunity to meet with them.

Around 5 PM a tour guide gave a wonderful 3-D video presentation about the Tatra Mountains to the students, teachers, and volunteers. It was about the flora and fauna of the area.
We had our traditional Polish meal at 6:30 PM.

At 7 we gathered for a game of Bingo. It was the first time some of the students had ever played and they really had a great time.

2011-07-04T09:44:00.001+02:00

Message of the Day: Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. Composed and contributed by Najalé

On Monday morning we were back to teaching our classes. Four hours went by quickly.

In the afternoon the student campers went to walk in Dolina Koscieliska. However, the rain came again and the hike was shortened. The bus returned the students to the old cemetery in Zakopane. Then they walked back to Wanta.

Meanwhile the volunteers were busy planning American Night. They also met with Dorota and Pani Dyrektor to learn about plans for the remainder of the week.

In the evening the volunteers provided a Fourth of July show. We shared information about states such as California and Arkansas, showed a video about Barack Obama, and surprised the campers with a cake.

2011-07-03T09:41:00.002+02:00

Another cool and rainy morning dawned in Zakopane. Some of the students went to church. About mid-morning some students went to the workroom and played English language word games with Lori. They had asked for this explaining they “did not want to waste their time at camp.”
In the mid-afternoon the campers headed off to climb Gubałówka and enjoyed time on the mountain top. They came down via the ski lift.

The volunteers who had spent the weekend in Krakow all returned safely and reported many adventures during their time there. And even reported they had seen sunshine in Krakow on Saturday!

2011-07-01T09:33:00.002+02:00

Message of the day: Smile and the world smiles back with you. (A Japanese Zen saying).

During breakfast, which was at 7:15 in preparation for our trip to Krakow, Jackie offered the message of the day (See above). David read his long and interesting entry about the long and interesting day before. The bus left almost on schedule at 7:55 and we arrived in Krakow at 10:10. It took almost as long to get across the city to the parking lot as it took to get from Zakopane to Krakow! Along with the everyday Krakow traffic, this weekend concludes the Jewish Culture Festival, the biggest in Poland, so more than the usual number of visitors is crowding the streets.

After a brief stop for functional necessities, we began our tour. Krakow dates back to the 4th century – we heard much about it from our students on the Polish night. It is the most important Polish city to survive the war and Community era intact, and it was on the first UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. Our tour of Krakow included the Main Rynek Square and environs in the Old Town --- St. Mary’s Cathedral, with its beautiful stained windows and altar – but we were not permitted to enter the sanctuary because at that time of our visit the church “is open only for praying.” We heard and saw the bugler who toots his horn hourly from the top of the Cathedral tower. We also visited the “Cloth Hall, “a shopping area which consists of hundreds of booths selling jewelry, chess sets, trinkets, slippers, and everything in between.

We went to the Rynek Underground Museum, which opened in September, 2010. Archeological digs uncovered much of what is seen here. The combination of modern technology (for example, interactive screens and a 3-D movie of Poland history) and original artifacts makes for a fascinating display. The museum is “laid out as a journey in time” and it would take many hours of observing and studying to do it justice.

Walking about we also saw the monument to the Grunwald victory (our street name in Zakopane), one of the greatest battles in Medieval Europe between Poland/Lithuania and the Teutonic Knights in 1410. The monument was destroyed by the Nazis in World War II (for Poland/Lithuania won the battle) and was reproduced in 1976. We also saw the Barbikan, a large brick structure which was added to the city’s defenses in the late 15th century as part of the medieval fortification of Krakow.

In our effort to come with a July 4th program that will not embarrass us, David had the idea to get help from the U.S. Consulate in Krakow. We all followed up on that and left the consulate with lots of pamphlets, brochures, and American flags.

We walked back to the bus, got our bags, and parted company—Frank and Spencer to Hotel Polonia, Sylvia and Tom to Unicus Hotel, and David and Jackie to Grand Hotel.
I vowed to teach the students the song: “Rain, rain go away, little Jackie wants to play.”
After settling in at our hotel, we Marlins went to partake in the Jewish Festival. First we attended a lecture by a prominent American scholar, Daniel Pipes, Director of the Middle East Forum, headquartered in Philadelphia. His topic was “Europe or Eurabia: Islam and the continent’s future.” His bio on Wikipedia makes note of his attendance at the age of 4 at the Harvard preschool. It doesn’t make note that Jackie Marlin was his teacher – but I was!
We visited the Jewish Community Center which was hosting a Shabbat dinner for 250 persons. We were too late – they were all filled up.

We then attended a concert by Tzuker-Zis, a U.S. group that plays traditional Jewish music, sometimes in a not-so-traditional manner. There was a vocalist, a bass, a guitar, an accordion, a trumpet, and key board. The concert was very spirited, standing room only, very enthusiastic audience in a beautiful synagogue.

2011-06-30T09:27:00.001+02:00

Message of the day: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. (Attributed to Thomas H. Palmer, writing in an 1840 Teacher’s Manual).

The morning meeting with Dorota was the beginning of an incredibly eventful day. We noted that this was the 100th birthday of Czesław Milosz, a noted Polish prose and poetry writer.

In the afternoon, after 4 hours of morning English class, we – volunteers and students—all piled into the bus and stopped first at the Natural Science Museum at Tatra National Park. The museum contains exhibits representing the culture, animal life, and environmental aspects of the Park. The Tatra Mountain National Park borders Slovakia and is visited by 3 million tourists each year. The museum, on the day of our visit, also displayed objects associated with the lives of Witold Radwanski and his wife, Zofia Radwanska. We also watched films about the Park for about 30 minutes.

We then traveled to ChochoŁόw. While driving there, one of the Prus teachers, whose special area is history, explained this village is famous for its actions in the 1846 uprising. In other areas of Poland, this uprising featured battles between Polish peasants and Polish noblemen. However, a wise priest in ChochoŁόw advocated that all the Polish people stand together, so instead here, the Polish attacked the police presence of the ruling Austrian empire. In ChochoŁόw we visited a wood carver and the museum he maintains to show a typical peasant’s life from the late 19th or early 20th century.

Returning to Zakopane we stopped at the beautiful church built by the people of Zakopane to give thanks for the saving of Pope John Paul at the time of a 1981 assassination attempt. Around this inspiration church and down the hill is the altar used when the Pope said a Mass on top of the ski jump in Zakopane.

This bus trip gave us another view of the distinct Zakopane architectural style that is admired around the world. It resembles the Swiss chalet. Some characteristics are the wooden plank outer walls or log cabin style that rises sharply angled to peaked roofs to permit rain, sleet, and snow to be removed. Many windows are triangular, roofs are frequently tile, and a widow’s peak is often seen.

The evening was Polish Day, entirely presented by the 25 students associated with Prus High School in Siedlce. It was funny, informative, and brilliantly executed. It created a standard that we volunteers cannot match on July 4, but we’ll try.

The students began the program by taking us on “taxi rides” through the TriCities of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot. One passenger, Lech Walęsa, tried to get out of paying his taxi fare. Then we were taken for taxis tours also in Warsaw and finally Krakow.

The evening ended with a the presentation of an anniversary ice cream cake for the Marlins for their 50th wedding anniversary—and for which David, the writer of this journal, reports they are touched and grateful.

2011-06-29T09:23:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: Do not judge another until you have walked in those shoes (a modern version of an old indigenous saying).

The team is working very well together, sharing ideas and skills, which is an important action if we are to have a successful language camp for everyone. The morning was spent working to improve our students’ language skills by every means possible. We use games, projects, songs, and questions. You are only limited by your imagination.

The students today actually requested two more hours of teaching time from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. This time we switched students. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet some of the other students and learn about them.

After a light supper, we had our evening meeting with Dorota. We made some plans for our Fourth of July celebration. We now retire to our rooms to prepare for Thursday.

2011-06-28T09:18:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome in trying to succeed. (Attributed to Booker T. Washington from his book, Up from Slavery: An Autobiography ;)

The volunteers met with Dorota at 7:50 in the meeting room. Sylvia began with the message of the day (see above). Dorota then went over the plan for today.

We enjoyed breakfast in the dining room at 8 AM. We began settling into our new routines. The volunteers taught their taught classes and some of them shared their ideas about successful strategies as they met in the hallways during the 15 minute breaks. We all got to know our students a little better.

Our mid-day meal was served as usual at 1 PM. Many of the students were delighted to see the weather to be rainy as their challenging hike had been canceled. Spencer and Najalé accompanied some of the students for a portion of the afternoon at the indoor water park. Others chose to remain at the Wanta. The volunteers spent their afternoon planning tomorrow’s lessons.

We met again at 6:30 PM for our last delicious Polish cuisine of the day.
We relocated to the meeting room at 19:05. We discussed what each of us did in our morning classes and picked up some great ideas from each other for future use. Dorota talked about the plans for our field trip with the students to Krakow on Friday.

The meeting adjourned about 20:15 PM. Some of the volunteers decided afterwards to support one of the local business establishments and immersed themselves in a little Polish culture and tradition.
“All’s well that ends well” and the day did indeed end well!

2011-06-27T09:13:00.000+02:00

Message of the day: If it’s to be, it’s up to me.

It was a dark and gloomy morning when the bright, perky, and cheerful Global Volunteers arrived for the 7:45 AM meeting. After the inspirational thought and the hearing the journal to remind us of the events of Saturday and Sunday we headed for breakfast. At 9:00 the volunteers dispersed to the first offered classes of this session. The time, 4 hours, flew by. During class breaks we could hear Row, Row, Row Your Boat being sung by some of the students in the hotel lobby. They had just learned that song that morning and were already singing it in a round.
For obiad we had pickle soup, beets, penne pasta, and pork loin. A glass of kompot topped off the meal.

After this meal most of the young headed again to a hiking trail. Right up with the first climbers were David and Jackie, the oldest of our volunteers.

After a supper of delicious pierogi accompanied by the ubiquitous tomato, we met for a debriefing session. We shared information about activities and how well they worked. A very useful observation from one student was: Talk less, and let us do more talking. With that advice ringing in our heads, our first day of classes came to an end. Bring on tomorrow.

2011-06-26T09:04:00.000+02:00

Our team assembled at the Krakow Airport on Saturday when 6 volunteers joined the bus from Siedlce bringing the campers, the Polish staff, two volunteers, and of course, Dorota, the Team Leader. We arrived in Zakopane about 5:30 PM, quickly dropped luggage in our rooms and then gathered in the dining room for kolacja. We sang Sto Lat and congratulated two volunteers, David and Jackie, who were observing their 50th wedding anniversary! After kolacja we gathered in the work room area and introduced ourselves, culminating with a name game when we each named each other. Most volunteers were ready for an early evening sleep as they were dealing with jet lag.
After a great Polish breakfast on Sunday morning we all gathered again in the work room. Dorota provided the announcements of the day. We reviewed health and safety concerns and then reviewed the Global Volunteer principles.
Next we developed four team goals:
-To improve the English language skills of the students;
-To learn more about Polish culture and language;
-To build bridges; and
- To improve ourselves.
We identified characteristics of an effective team:
Communication
Cooperation
Friendliness
Sense of humor
Self control
Appreciation of individuals’ skills
Inspiration
Flexibility
Persistence
Tolerance
Respect
Acceptance
Team work
Patience
Energy
At this point we received a very nice interruption when the reception staff for the hotel announced that one of our team members had finally received her luggage that had been missing for three days.
We continued our work by briefly discussing the first day classes. Dorota reported that the Polish staff would like us to move the teenagers around to different groups. Also the staff would like us to put together groups or otherwise mix students so that they can hear several versions of the American accent.
Dorota provided a Polish language lesson, and then we adjourned for obiad.
In the afternoon, some volunteers stayed in the city and did a walking trip to the bus office to purchase tickets for returning from Krakow on the following Sunday and two went to afternoon Sunday Mass. The students and four volunteers went hiking in Dolina ChochoŁόw.

At 8 PM we gathered again in the work room. Pani Dyrektor introduced herself again and explained her role at the camp. The other teachers accompanying the students also introduced themselves and then we volunteers also introduced ourselves. Volunteers asked questions about the Prus High School and the students there and asked for advice about helping the students.
Then each volunteer took the chance of pronouncing the student names in Polish who would be a member of their class, and each teacher met with their class for a few minutes.

ATTENTION EASTERN EUROPE VOLUNTEERS

2011-04-28T16:21:00.000+02:00

New Service Adventures in Education, Childcare and Labor Available

A Season of New Beginnings in Romania and we want you to be a part of it all.

If your passion lies in serving at-risk youth, working with your hands, or if it's teaching that inspires you, we now have wonderful new opportunities for you to contribute in Romania. We have worked at the Tutova Children's Clinic since 1999 however in recent weeks, that Clinic has closed, and the children were relocated to new facilities. We now have the opportunity to help care for some of those same children at our new work sites, along with many more children needing your support. While we regret the Romanian government's decision to transform Tutova Hospital and Children's Clinic into a senior center, we were heartened by invitations from other child-focused community partners enabling us to serve the broader Barlad community.

One Door Closes...Others Open

Residents and staff of The Elena Farago Center in Barlad await Global Volunteers teams.

You'll be one of the first volunteers serving these new community partners. With that in mind, I'd like to ask you to do two things. First, please let me know which of the following volunteer options appeal to you the most. Second, because of the wide variety of new service opportunities, I ask that you invite others to join you on your service program as we establish our new relationships. Here's how you and your friends and companions can contribute:

First, Dr. Magdalena Cozma, director of Barlad's St. Nicholas Children's Hospital , has invited Global Volunteers to continue our work with at-risk children at her hospital. This is essentially the same work assignment as at Tutova -- holding, feeding and entertaining babies who need care. (As is so often the case, "when one door closes another one opens,"and some of the babies and toddlers on the other side of that door are from Tutova -- still counting on your love.) The children don't care that the door is different, just that you come through it!

Year-round service opportunities at George Tutoveanu School in Barlad. Volunteers are needed to teach conversational English to primary and middle school students during the school year and to middle and senior high students at English language summer camps. The focus is on conversation - visiting about everyday subjects and real-life situations so the students can increase their vocabulary and practice English language skills. While you'll teach in the classrooms, during the summer camps students also enjoy taking volunteers out to show them highlights of their city, such as museums, live theater, zoo, and public garden -- providing additional opportunities to interact while speaking English. This is a great new opportunity for your companions who may not be interested in caregiving assignments.

Third, if you enjoy working with your hands - repairing, painting and renovating buildings -- you're needed to help improve apartments at the Elena Farago Center. This is a rewarding opportunity to work alongside some of the residents and the local carpenters and handymen to make these homes more livable. What's more, we hope to establish a community garden project as our new partnerships progress so students and young adults can join the worldwide movement to understand and practice better nutrition choices.

You can also offer psychosocial support to teens and young adults for all our part of your volunteer assignment. The Elena Farago Center in Barlad cares for some 40 teens and young adults from age 12 to mid-20s. (Photo on top) Most of the residents are orphans, abused children, or from families too poor to care for them. About 10 percent have mental disabilities, and 20 percent are HIV positive or have AIDS, mostly contracted from blood transfusions. The residents live together in apartments, three to five per unit, with guidance from local staff. This is a great opportunity to help young boys and girls who are preparing for a productive and independent life. Initially, volunteers will befriend the residents by working with them on arts and craft projects, teaching how to cook nutritious meals, helping with homework, communicating in English, playing sports and more. We'll also tutor teens and young adults in conversational English at the Elena Farago Center, although teaching English will not be a full-time assignment at this facility.

Finally, if you have experience or interest in assisting children with autism and/or Down syndrome, you can serve at Barlad Center for Children with Disabilities. This is a multi-unit complex that cares for children with mental disabilities as well as those who are blind and deaf. This project can be a full-time or secondary project, splitting your work on one of the above primary projects.

We're very encouraged by these new service partnerships with local Romanian agencies and the expanded opportunities to engage volunteers in serving Romanian children. Your contribution now is more important than ever. Please allow me to answer your questions and fill you in with additional details on your upcoming service program. Again, we'd greatly appreciate you referring your friends and family members to serve with you or on other 2011 Romania service programs. Everyone makes a significant difference in this time of new beginnings on our Romania service program!

Former Volunteer Posts AMAZING YouTube Videos!!

2011-03-14T10:45:00.001+01:00

We at Global Volunteers are privileged to work with so many wonderful volunteers, partners, and supporters each and every day.

Last week, one particular volunteer, Graham, truly knocked our socks off when he shared a 9-part video series he had created about Global Volunteers and posted on YouTube!! These videos feature the travels and experiences of numerous Global Volunteers (particularly one tight-knit group from New Jersey) and we welcome you to take a look at these exceptional videos by using the link below.

Thank you, Graham!! And for the rest of you... ENJOY!!

Global Volunteer Retrospective Video (Poland): http://www.youtube.com/user/endlessmug#p/u/44/5bjnUVI2t_o

Six Months Since Siedlce... Feels Like Yesterday!

2011-02-28T18:40:00.004+01:00

With spring right around the corner, I realize it has already been many months - nearly half a year, in fact - since my service in Poland. While many days and weeks have passed, I think about my experience often - most often the wonderful people of the region.

The staff at the manor house could not have been more welcoming, and the teachers and school administrators were so grateful for our English instruction that we felt bound to succeed! And then there were the students... These bright individuals were the reason we went to volunteer and surely the reason so many volunteers return time and time again. Their determination to learn and maximize their educational potential is awe inspiring!!

Please join me in viewing a few photos below, as I reflect on a wonderful and memorable time in my life:

Thank you for sharing in my reflection, and please feel free to contact us at anytime if you might be interested in volunteering in Poland in 2011!!

Sincerely,

Stephanie Peterson
Global Volunteers Marketing & Communications Manager

Repeat Poland Volunteer Featured in Community Magazine!

2011-02-04T23:44:00.003+01:00

Volunteer Judy of Woodbury, Minnesota was recently featured in her community's magazine, highlighting her several Global Volunteers service program including two in Poland!

Click here to read the entire article, or read below to learn more about her experiences!

Woodbury Magazine Article

Retired science teacher Judy T. of Woodbury decided to try a volunteer trip in 1997 for the opportunity to travel, use her teaching skills and do something worthwhile. Trepka has taken six two-week trips, serving in Greece, Romania, Spain, Hungary and Poland (twice). “In Crete, Greece I helped restaurant and hotel workers with conversational English skills, and in Iasi, Romania and Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary I taught English to students,” Judy says. “On my two trips to Poland, I helped business professionals improve their English skills as well as a retired University of Warsaw professor recovering from a stroke who had lost his English speaking skills. I worked with him for two weeks, 5-6 hours a day, and by the end he could speak English again. The Polish students told me ‘It’s a miracle, and his Polish is better too!’”

Judy traveled with Global Volunteers, a St. Paul-based organization supporting more than 100 host communities through year-round volunteer service, including caring for at-risk children, teaching conversational English skills, assisting local health education efforts and completing a wide array of local projects including painting, landscaping, building playgrounds and improving public works. “As is often the case with these programs, you get more than you give,” says Judy. “And you’ll learn more about a country and its people than you will as a casual tourist. You’re expected to put in at least a 40-hour volunteer week, but the weekends are free for exploring lovely out-of-the-way places that organized tours never get to.”

Some highlights for Judy: seeing local World War II statues throughout Crete’s small villages, and enjoying paella at a restaurant in Rota, Spain in late November, “a magical time when every business and institution brought out unique, exquisitely beautiful nativity scenes,” she says. But her true highlights were the cultural, human experiences gained through volunteering.

“In Hungary, the students would immediately rise and remain standing when I until I told them they could sit down; I had never experienced that as a teacher before,” says Judy. “The food in Reymontowka, Poland was cooked with fresh produce plus milk and meat from the three-generation farm next door. I’ve never had a drink I enjoyed more than the fresh black current nectar served at breakfast.”

Poland Volunteer featured in AP Article!!

2011-01-11T23:16:00.004+01:00

Poland volunteer Rob Kendig was recently featured in an AP article entitled, 'Retirement-age volunteers mix altruism with travel' (by Dave Carpenter). We are thrilled to have Rob featured and sharing a bit about his wonderful experience with the entire nation!!

Here is a taste of the article:

"Rob Kendig, 66, of Denver, characterizes his recent three-week experience in Siedlce, Poland, as an unpaid working vacation. He taught conversational English to two classes of middle-school students every afternoon and loved every minute of it.

The retired dentist spent $2,600 on the Global Volunteers program plus another $1,100 for airfare. He considered the expenditure something of a philanthropic gift. But he also wanted to explore teaching as a possible second career, so he found it gratifying on multiple levels.

'The Polish children were adorable and appreciative,' he says. 'Best of all, there was real work to do and the job was clear-cut.'

About 30 percent of the group's 2,000-plus volunteers a year are over 60, according to Michele Gran, who co-founded Global Volunteers in 1984. Several who participated in the early years are now returning with their adult children and grandchildren, she says.

The oldest volunteer, age 92, spent two weeks teaching English in Ghana last year and is considering going to the Cook Islands with the group in 2011."

Click on the following link to see Rob's photo, quotes, and read the whole article!!

http://www.sfexaminer.com/news/2011/01/retirement-age-volunteers-mix-altruism-travel

Thank you, Rob (below, far right), for your assistance in garnering greater interest in our Poland program!!

Vote for Global Volunteers!

2010-11-17T21:58:00.001+01:00

From November 15 - November 21 the Star Tribune newspaper is holding a contest entitled 'Full Page Project' amongst MN non-profits and the winner will receive a free full page ad in the Sunday paper!

Please vote for us this week ~ you can vote once per hour!

Here is the link where you can register and then vote for Global Volunteers (please copy and paste the link):
http://startribune.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=22815

We would also encourage you to pass this link along to your family and friends, and post it on your personal Facebbok page or blog. Let us know if you have any questions, and remember voting has begun!

Thank you for your support.

Soon we will be just a memory...

2010-10-22T13:51:00.000+02:00

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2010

OUR FINAL DAY

Friday morning brought us together for our traditional breakfast before we embarked on our last day of classes. Everyone had a look of bittersweet anticipation. We are ready to go home, but we already miss our students, fellow volunteers, and the kind people of Poland. The experiences and memories we have will continue to increase our fondness of Poland as time goes on.

My heart ached as I entered each of my four classes at Spoleczna knowing this would be the last day with the kids I have come to love. The students, “my kids,” presented parties, gifts and speeches to relay their appreciation. Little do they realize that I am the one who is grateful to have been part of their lives.

At 6 p.m. we met for an abundant supper with the teachers and principals from the area schools. The Vice Govenor of Siedlce was present, as well as Dorota’s handsome husband, Chris, who joined us even though he had a cold.

The evening ended with Darlene, Rob, Pat and Ralph rallying for one last card game. I think the card sharks will miss each other and will all have some tall tales to tell in the future.

Soon we will be just a memory to the people and students of Poland. We have done what we were called to do. We have planted our seeds in the minds and hearts of the Polish people and they, in turn, have returned the gesture. We were given an opportunity to make a difference and I think we did.

Written by: Vickie Henige (Michigan)

Twentieth Anniversary of Global Volunteers in Poland!

2010-10-19T09:16:00.014+02:00

Dear Volunteers,

Our partnership started together with the democratic changes in Poland. After many years of studying Russian we needed to have a well qualified English speaking Polish cadre that could lead us into the European Union and NATO.

For all these years, you have offered us the most unique form of volunteering; you have worked with us, shared your skills and time and covered all of your expenses. We would like to thank you so much for all of your help from the bottom of our hearts!

But teaching English is not everything; most importantly you have offered your friendships, openness, unselfishness and your hearts to us. Helping those in need is a very special value nowadays. Bending over another human being and showing him care and assistance is the most precious characteristic, especially in the present world. It is you, our dear friends, that dedicate your time and efforts serving the ones who wish to broaden their horizons.

We were with you on September 11, 2001, when the terrorist attacks took place in the USA and you sent us your condolences when the President of Poland was killed in the plane crash in Smolensk.

We know each other, we understand each other and thanks to these contacts there is a special bond between us. We think of each other in difficult moments and share happy times with our friends.... I think this is the biggest accomplishment of our twenty years of partnership.

The volunteers have become a permanent part of our local landscape, we no longer think of them as guest but it seems that they have been with us forever.

Our time spent together is not only English classes but also long lasting friendships, exchanging letters, overcoming barriers, mutual friendships and visits!

Thank you so much again! You will remain in our memories and our hearts forever! We will never forget what you have done for us and our children with no self interest! We hope we will see each other in Poland again!

Fragments of speech offered by Zygmunt Wielogorski, Governor of Siedlce county on October 10, 2010.

A First for Jim... Hot Milk Soup!!

2010-10-14T19:48:00.000+02:00

October 14, 2010

We started the day with our usual Polish breakfast, but this one was totally different from what I ever experienced before. For breakfast we had hot milk soup! It was a hot soup made with milk which also contained noodles in the recipe. In my previous four years in Poland, this was a first.

After breakfast, Dorota asked her usual questions. Who’s going where? Who’s coming back when? Who needs a box lunch? If Dorota should ever decide to leave her position as Program Manager in Poland, she would have little problem securing a position as a concierge at a five star hotel in Poland.

After breakfast, we all proceeded to our respective teaching assignments, mine being at Spoleczna along with Mike, Vicki, and Dr. Michael. The traffic going to Spoleczna was unusually light today because it was Teacher’s Day and many schools did not have classes. We arrived at our school in record time, and were 15 minutes early for class, which was record time. Because it was Teacher’s Day today, many of the teachers received gifts of flowers, candy and other goodies from our students.

After completion of our formal classes, we had lunch and then prepared for our next day’s teaching assignments, while some of us continued our day with tutoring assignments at Reymontowka. Later that afternoon, two local wood carvers arrived exhibiting their amazing wood carvings. They were available for viewing, and three of the volunteers purchased some of the carvings to take back to the U.S.

Before dinner, a group of us went down to the bar for some fellowship and refreshments. Well, who was down in the bar conducting classes? I bet you’d never guess! You guessed it, it was non-other than old Ralph who was conducting his classes in the bar. It’s little wonder that Ralph looks forward to his afternoon classes at Reymontowka :)

After a quick beer and some welcome fellowship, it was time for dinner again. While having dinner, I was struck with a twinge of sadness because very soon many of my fellow volunteers would be departing for home on the weekend. I fought back my sadness with the happy thought that I’d still be around for another week with the remaining eight volunteers to continue to enjoy each other, our students, and the wonderful Polish people and their culture.

Written by: JIM PODRAZA

Back into the Swing of Things: Week 2 in Siedlce

2010-10-12T21:44:00.000+02:00

OCTOBER 12, 2010

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: "Childhood is not from birth to a certain age and at a certain age. The child is grown and puts away his childish things. Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies." - EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY

Mike started the day with a quote from Victor Hugo and Reba read the journal for the day. Dorota gave us some news flashes about Thursday’s camp fire, the trip to Krakow, and the time for those leaving on Saturday. After that, we all went on way to our various teaching assignments.

Jim, Michael, Vickie, and myself set out with our infamous driver Roman. Roman took us to Siedlce in record time, as we were only ten minutes late today. All four of us had a great day teaching and arrived safely home for lunch. Connie had a great day working on ideas for holiday celebrations such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. Jim and Vickie went shopping in the PM, with Mike subbing for Vickie and helping Julie tutor.

Mahli came back from school with flowers and a stuffed pink poodle, compliments from the students in appreciation for her teaching there. She also had a chance to have her picture taken with a 6th grade student known as the gangster. The students are all sad that she is leaving.

George and Kay, after a tough day of teaching in the morning, were treated to a tour of Siedlce in the PM. While on tour, they saw the only El Greco painting in Poland.

At dinner we were treated with the presence of a former camp counselor by the name of Arek. He lives in Denmark and is studying for his BA degree. Bruce has volunteered to type and edit the journal for the teachers.

Written by: Mike Yannotta

Team Goals!

2010-10-04T19:43:00.000+02:00

4 October 2010 – Monday

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: : "A teacher affects eternity; s/he never can tell where his/her influence will stop." - Henry B. Adams

After our fine breakfast we gathered in the research room. Our first task was to establish team goals. After much thought and goading we finalized the goals as:

- To teach and influence Polish children and adults.
- To learn and experience Polish culture.
- To make and renew friendships.
- To build bridges between our cultures.
- To have FUN!
- To experience personal growth.

We moved right onto naming the characteristics of an effective team and boarded team skills. The next challenge was the lesson in Polish at which we excelled. Many practiced our new language at lunch amazing our instructor, Dorota. Some time was spent before lunch preparing our lessons, gathering teaching aides and then off to lunch.

The afternoon was filled with a scenic ride to Siedlce to meet with the Vice-governor, Bartlomiej Kurkus. We were welcomed by Mr. Kurkus and thanked for our service to the community. We went around the room giving a little background on ourselves. Dorota read information about the County and the services it provides its residents. After a short question and answer period we had team pictures taken and left for our various shopping spots, post office, Kantor and Daisy store.

We retuned to Reymontowka for more lesson preparation followed by a fine dinner of pierogi and assorted cheeses and meats. A great parfait topped off the meal.

Pat Kalicki

Reymontowka Summer Camp August 14-28, 2010

2010-08-31T07:39:00.009+02:00

Thought of the Day: Don’t cry that it’s over, be happy that you did it.

We woke up to a cloudy rainy day. Once again, we had yet another yummy breakfast before us. Today is our last day and we were all sad that our two weeks just flew by.

First thing I did was to go to the computer room and make sure that I was ready for my last day of teaching. To my surprise, Alice and Marianne had the same thing in mind. Together with Dorota, we were all up in the computer room preparing for our classes.

When the first period began at 9:30 am, the students in each group practiced their Friday presentations and tried to polish up their English with their last day of lessons. The last two sessions of the morning were spent doing different games/activities. Alice was in charge of drawing/coloring. The campers came up with beautiful drawings of trees and flowers. Marianne was manning the card tables. Kinga and Mira were doing friendship bracelets. Marvin was the king of “Simon Says.” Kamila, Ania and Eli were doing party games. Ivy was in-charge of the Uno table. Dorota oversaw all the activities. Once again, it was a successful and enjoyable program.

After another delicious lunch, Marianne and Kinga helped Dorota clean the computer/supply room. Before we knew it, we had dinner at 5:00 pm since the presentation of the students was scheduled for 6pm. Everyone commented on the delicious fish.

Parents started coming before 6pm. The presentation was another five star production. It opened with Alice’s class singing “If you are happy and you know it clap your hands.” It was so cute with each camper drawing a happy face. Alice had her own happy face. Next was Ania and Issac’s class doing “Hokey Pokey.” Marianne’s group sang “It’s a Wonderful World,” accompanied by props of a beautiful rainbow and roses. Mira and Kinga’s group did a skit of a typical day in New York. Ivy’s students also did a skit of “Are We Ready,” where the bus never got rolling cause each kid had something to do and finally the bus driver forgot the keys to the bus. Marvin’s group did tongue twisters with props. Finally, Eli and Kamila’s group did two versions of New York New York, one by Frank Sinatra and one by Alicia Keys and Jay-Z. The evening closed with a bonfire and barbeque for the families of the campers.

All agreed the two weeks was a rousing success.

2010-08-31T07:37:00.003+02:00

Thought for the Day: Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you.

After classes today the volunteers made a trip to Majdanek, the Nazi Concentration Camp in Lublin.

The volunteers (without nine year old Isaac who stayed behind but with the teacher Kinga) ate their lunch sandwiches in the van. We saw a thirty minute orientation movie about the rise of the Nazis and this Concentration Camp. A private guide, who had been engaged by one of the volunteers, brought us around the camp, explaining in English how the camp worked and how the various buildings functioned. He explained that when the Soviets liberated Majdanek, the Nazis had no time to destroy the buildings and accordingly this was what was unique to Majdanek. It is the only Concentration Camp that is still fully functional and so it is the only camp throughout Europe that has the original gas chambers still intact. Unfortunately, the kitchen had burned down about three weeks and ago and the fire is under investigation. Our guide explained how the Jewish people were treated harsher than other prisoners and that some 60,000 had been gassed after which their bodies were burnt in either funeral pyres or ovens. At the same time we were there, a group of about 50 Israeli high school students were also touring the concentration camp. It was uplifting to see them proudly carrying their large Israeli flags, thereby underscoring the stark reality that the ashes of those Jewish people who died during the holocaust were the seeds to the birth of the State of Israel in 1948.
On the way home, we passed through Lublin and could see the old town, the Catholic University and the castle from the van. We arrived at the Reymontowka camp at 7:15 p.m. for dinner.

The last activity was the students performing the Wedding Ceremony. The wedding ceremony received a five star review from the volunteers. Among the dozen weddings, two volunteers, Eli and Mira, were married to Filip and Kamila.

2010-08-31T07:35:00.001+02:00

Thought for the Day: Remember the 3R’s. Respect for Self, Respect for others; and Responsibility for your actions.

As we survey the remaining activities for the week it’s clear that we’re definitely in the home stretch. There are only a few more hours of classroom time to fill but by now we’re pros at running to the resource room for creative ideas, materials, games, and an exchange of helpful hints among each other. Today the volunteers agreed to use one hour to teach the students a few phrases in various foreign languages. Among all of us, and with the help of Kinga and Wiktoria, we presented 9 languages, including Mandarin, Hebrew, and Japanese. Our assignment for Friday is to prepare our individual groups to do a short presentation in English for the parents on the last night of camp, so we were hard at work on that project. In the evening we were invited to a delightful program on Polish culture prepared by the campers in our honor. We ended with a bonfire and a uniquely American touch. With ingredients brought from the US the campers enjoyed s’mores. It was really gratifying to see how many of them felt comfortable enough to chat with us. It makes us feel our time spent in Reymontowka was definitely worthwhile.

2010-08-31T07:32:00.003+02:00

Thought for the Day: Don’t push the river, it will flow by itself.

After a delicious breakfast, I went to my class and we learned some English. We practice our dance for the Friday presentation. We played some games outside. We also played some games inside. We were served with a delicious strawberry soup for lunch. After lunch I went outside and played with my friends while the other volunteers stayed and discussed this week’s schedule and the next day’s presentation.
Later in the day, we all watched the “Talent Show” presented by the campers.

2010-08-31T07:29:00.003+02:00

Thought for the Day: Nature can provide for the needs of people; (she) can’t provide for the greed of people.

Classes ran smoothly. The last period was given to the volunteers and other staff members presenting songs to the group accompanied by music. Alice taught her class the song, “If you are happy and you know it, clap your Hands”. The campers sang with her. Other songs were introduced by Marianne and Dorota. After lunch, Alice presented many words of wisdom read by the lunch group.

Then Dorota gave the volunteers homework for the week. Lots of it as in the Polish custom. In addition, our goals and whether they were being met was discussed.

2010-08-31T07:25:00.003+02:00

Thought for the Day: Always be prepared for your day.

I woke up to the loud noises around me of my family getting ready for class.

Today we spent the first class finding new ways for our bodies to twist and turn like never before during Twister. During the second class we spent time learning new vocabulary for transportation words, such as limousine. After the second class it was time for presentations. Alice led it off with a bang. Florida turned out to have many surprising things I never knew about, even though I’ve been there… twice. California was next up and Marianne didn’t let us down. In fact her presentation of California was so persuasive I’m guaranteed to go there and visit all the major cities. Next was New York, New York, presented by yours-truly. My sister made a great presentation on Connecticut which all the kids including myself loved. Isaac and my Father then completed the tri-state area, with a presentation on our summer house in the Catskills. Although the highlight for all during their presentation was Isaac’s notoriously kicking my father the whole time during the presentation, causing an uproar of laughter in the room. But once again the best was saved for last… my mother took the initiative by presenting on the Philippines, her native country.

Finally after all our presentations it was time for lunch. After lunch, Marianne and Alice began their journey to a hostel, while my family hung around until later that night, for the land of our father’ s and their father’s, Belarus.

2010-08-31T07:21:00.004+02:00

Thought for the Day: Service is the rent you pay for the room you use while you are here on earth.

As I walk out the door I feel pretty cold. Another delicious meal sits on the table in front of me. Kinga and I made our way to class. Today was a pretty cooperative day where we taught about American Indians first. After, we did some worksheets, word searches, hidden pictures, apples to apples, and played Uno. For the 3rd and 4th lesson we watched “Bedtime Stories”, which I liked a lot.

After dinner Marvin, Marianne, Alice and Dorota went to a folk concert with performers from Siedlce and Slovakia. There was folk dancing and singing. They also met Dorota’s husband. Another great day at Reymontowka.

2010-08-31T07:17:00.002+02:00

Thought for the Day: Before you criticize your children, just remember who raised them.

Woke up to a dreary day. Temperature 65 and drizzling. The kitchen staff was able to counter this situation with warm “milk soup” for breakfast. It looked and tasted something like Farina.

When the classes began, my group of nine children wanted to play scrabble and bingo. They also played charades, which we did by timing the two groups for competitive play.

The fourth period was dance, where Mira led her onstage team in Cotton Eye Joe. Most of the campers joined in on the main floor. This was followed by several other dance numbers with the finale being a rousing YMCA, with everyone joining in.

After lunch, the volunteers went in the van to the Open Air Museum. The estate consists of a 260 year main house, which has a slight odor of mold, several outlying houses, a barn and a second smaller manor house. The noble family Cieszkowski was the original owner and most recently it was purchased by Professor Kwiatkowski in 1987. The professor renovated the house and charges guests who want to visit. The house has old furniture and many oil paintings of portraits on the wall. He lives there in a side house. In one of the outlying houses that we went into, we saw huge boots used by the farmer in olden days, a toy wooden horse and a wooden crib. Kamila did a great job translating for us what the ticket collector/guide said in Polish.

Next we went to Castle Liw Armory built in 1429 by Prince Charming. It is now the Museum Zbrojownia na zamku w Liwie. Here the guide spoke very good English. He began the tour by showing us a full body armor suit which weighs 66 pounds. When someone was knocked off his horse, the suit weighed so much that he was unable to get up even if he wasn’t otherwise injured. The walls of each room had displays of rifles, swords, sabers, and of course oil paintings of battles. During World War II, when the Germans came to demolish the castle in order to use the bricks to build the concentration camp, Treblinka, Otto Warpechowski, an archeologist, persuaded them that the castle had been built by the Teutonic Knights Order. The Germans were fooled. Warpechowski died toward the end of World War II in an accident. Our guide told us that this weekend there will be the annual games of the battling of the Knights. Unfortunately, the family of five will be in Belarus visiting Grandpa’s birth place and Alice and Marianne will be visiting the Bialowieza National Park.

2010-08-31T07:14:00.003+02:00

Thought for the Day: Do not squander time since that is what life is made of.

Today, it seems we are all “wiser” and came prepared for our class. We have a better feel for our classes and had a better sense of what activities we can do with them. We also learned from our teammates on what worked for them the previous day and used that activity.

For the 4th period, all the classes gathered at the tent and we all sang songs. Dorota coordinated the program. We open it with the song “Wave the Flag”, which was very popular with the campers. The song was led by Eli and Mira. The next song was “You are my Sunshine”, led by Ivy and Dorota. Eli and Kamila did “New York, New York” (new rap version). Marvin did “YMCA” and Mira and Kinga were the back-up dancers. Campers also liked this. Dorota also led “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog.” The campers enjoyed doing this activity.

The volunteers were treated to a special afternoon in Siedlce. We met Pan Bartlomiej Kurkus, Deputy Governor (which is an equivalent of a Mayor in the USA.). We introduced ourselves and asked him questions about Siedlce and his work. We also spoke how we enjoyed our work/stay in Poland. He presented each of us with a book of Siedlce.

After that we visited the Cathedral/Church which was beautiful and did our errands. Alice, Eli, Mira & Ivy stayed in town and shopped around. Alice bought some “wild” place mats and table cloths. Eli entertained Mira and Ivy by trying on different leather shoes and clothes. He was very smart looking.

Marianne, Isaac and Marvin went to the train station and straighten out their train/travel schedules. We then return to Reymontowka.

The day was much cooler and we had a quiet evening.

2010-08-31T07:10:00.002+02:00

Thought for the Day: A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

As we gathered for breakfast this morning it was clear that today was different. The cheese crepes were delicious but somehow everyone seemed a little more restrained. Was it that the bountiful meals were catching up with us? Perhaps. But after two days of nervous anticipation, I think it was the reality that our first full day of teaching was finally before us. Alice read our first journal entry; Marianne shared the thought for the day; then Dorota, with her many years experience preparing nervous volunteers, wisely brought out extra worksheets and suggestions on additional activities for the students, should we need them. Aided by this additional boost of confidence we headed outdoors to meet with our student groups, knowing we could at least get through the first couple of sessions. And so it was. After the first session there was a lot of self-congratulation on having “survived.” After each subsequent session there was a quick exchange of helpful tips among ourselves. This included our younger volunteers Eli (14), Mira (13), and Isaac (9), who were highly valued “assistants” to the Polish teachers. When the fourth and final session was over we gathered for lunch, the main meal of the day, which started with yet another excellent soup. The three Polish teachers joined us and we exchanged tips on what worked and what didn’t work with our groups. We all agreed that the students were wonderful but now that we know our groups better we could do some fine-tuning of the activities. The biggest surprise really was that many of the students had English skills that were quite good. We then talked about combining our groups for the fourth session on the following day so that we could each take a turn teaching them an American folk song. Finally, Dorota briefed us on some of the upcoming activities for the week, including a trip to meet the deputy mayor of Siedlce, a folk dance demonstration, and a trip to an open air museum. Dorota also offered to drive us to the nearby tiny town of Kotun from which we could walk back. Ivy and Marianne took advantage of this chance to get some exercise and confirmed that it’s a doable 35 minute walk back to Reymontowka. Good to know because there’s a grocery store, ice cream shop and bankomat there. In the evening we were invited to watch the initiation ceremony for the first time campers. Marianne and Marvin served as queen and king delivering a certificate of welcome to each child. At evening’s end, we headed through the corridors to our rooms, with the students already feeling comfortable enough to speak to us in passing. We went to sleep with visions of the next day’s lesson plan in our heads and here and there the sounds of happy chatter coming from the campers’ rooms. I for sure was tired enough that I knew I would sleep through the rooster crowing at 4:30am.

2010-08-31T07:06:00.000+02:00

Thought for the Day: “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

To back up I do want to mention the introduction we had to Reymontowka. A lovely young Polish woman greets us at the entrance with a beautifully baked round loaf of bread in the hallowed out Center. We were instructed to take a little triage of bread cut into the side, dip it in the salt, and eat it. This was to assure we would never be hungry and always have food in the house. Promptly at 9:00 Dorota began the session where we set out the team goals and characteristics, for an effective team and individual skills of our team.

Our team goals are:

To help improve the children’s English.
To help the children and others around us learn about America and Americans.
To learn more about Poland’s people and culture.
To make friends.
To experience another Global Volunteers’ opportunity.

Our team’s characteristics are:

Communication

Shared vision

Tolerance

Leadership

Respect

Sharing responsibilities

Patience

Enthusiasm

Hard work

Flexibility

Perhaps we should think of a good name for out team. We were given the daily schedule for class schedules. Then we went to the supply room for a tour and instructions for using the copy machine. Dorota gave us some hints as to which items would be useful for various levels. At 11:40 we gathered for rides to the Old Catholic Church or the village of Zeliszew. Marianne, Marvin, and Ivy chose to visit the village. I attended the Mass. The children stayed behind to catch up on their sleep. The church was packed with people and an equal number stood outside. I was fortunate enough to find a seat near a window as there is no air conditioning and it was a warm day. The service was extra long because it was a feast day of the Virgin Mary. At the offertory precession beautifully decorated round loaves of bread were brought to the altar. The priest blesses them and, surprisingly, kissed them. One lady in particular had such a happy, prideful, look on her face. It was a delight to see. There were many other variations to the Masses in the United States. On our return and promptly at 1:30 a delicious dinner of stuffed baked chicken breast, and mashed potato balls, carrots in a tasty, delicate sauce and broccoli. Fruit for dessert. In fact, a wonderful bowl of fruit is provided at each meal. After lunch Dorota gave us a sheet lesson in speaking Polish. After a break we all gathered in the tent where we introduced ourselves to the group and each child stood, gave his name and where he was from. I was impressed at the confidence with which they did this. Later, Marianne, Ivy, and I expressed our amazement at how many years of English and how well they spoke. We decided we had to radically change our thinking as to how and what we would teach. Marianne commented, Dorota had the hardest work – separating the 69 students into suitable groups. We were able to speak a few minutes with the group assigned to us. Each of us expressed satisfaction with his/her arranged group. There was some free time for planning before supper. Alice and Marianne took a short walk and then worked on their plans.

Time To Say Goodbye

2010-07-14T10:32:00.007+02:00

The last day of a Global Volunteers program is a bittersweet event. If you've bonded with your students, "synergized" with your team, and fallen in love with the country in which you're serving, as you hoped to do on the very first day, then the parting day is tinted with a hint of sadness. Or maybe more than a hint.

Today was very much like every other, and yet very much set apart. We began the day with our usual classes, trying to finish up activities or cram in new ones. If we listened hard enough, however, we could also hear the strains of a very particular version of "All You Need Is Love" carried on the Zakopane breeze, as Kathy and Steve's combined classes scrambled to learn the words to an alternate version of the song. Or perhaps we heard Steve's class perfecting their Poland sales pitch. Or Sally's Magda and Ania quietly rehearsing their original poem "Zakopane." Or Lori's class trying to contain their laughter while going over the short stories built sentence by sentence by nine different contributors. Or Cyndi and Chris's class combining voices with Sue and Sam's class to sing the Polish song that loosely translates "Don't Cry, Eva" with Chris accompanying the group on Paulina C.'s guitar. Of course, Cortney, the Reeves, and their "Soulja People" managed to keep their rap/dance number--super secret until the night's performance. In regard to the latter, let's just say it's fortunate that Sam and the students had some concept of rhythm!

On what was quite possibly the most perfect day weather-wise of the whole two weeks, several of the American teachers managed to squeeze in a rain-delayed kickball game with a group of enthusiastic students. By the end of the game, the students had gotten the hang of fielding, sometimes retiring a side with no runs. However, the finer points of base-running still eluded many. Maybe next year?

Some forewent the excitement of kickball to spend one last day in town or to pack in anticipation of our early morning departure. By 6:30 pm, we had all gathered for our final dinner. Tonight it was the traditional Polish dish bigos, a stew composed of sauerkraut, sausage, and pieces of meat.

After some last-minute dress rehearsals, everyone gathered in the study area for the final performances by each group of students, as well as thank-you's from Teresa, the leader of the camp, Sue, who spoke for the American teachers, and Greg and Paulina C., who spoke for the students. A small group of students sang a special good-bye song in English to the tune of a popular Polish song.

After the formal program, the students presented each teacher with a gift. There was lots of hugging and address-exchanging before most of us repaired to our rooms to finish packing. Rumor had it that many of the students stayed up late pulling pranks or simply extending their friendships with one final conversation in the darkened rooms and hallways.

One of the American teachers remarked that saying good-bye at this camp was the hardest of any farewell he had ever experienced. Part of the difficulty was no doubt attributable to the fact that the students already spoke very good English, and that we worked with them in small groups. Thus it was possible to develop a very strong bond with the students. As Sue remarked in her closing statement, we could all see that some of Poland's future leaders would likely come from this group.

As luck would have it, we did have a chance to say once last good-bye to the students in the morning, since all of us were up early enough to share breakfast with them. As they gathered on the sidewalk in front of Wanta, we gathered on the landing above. The last sight we had of the students was of them turning to wave good-bye as they headed toward the bus.

Of course, it was equally hard to part ways with each other. At the Krakow Airport, we did so reluctantly, some of us apprehensive about making close flight connections, and others hoping their flights were not oversold as they had been on the inbound journey. Parting was made easier by the conviction that we would someday return to Poland to teach again.

2010-07-09T16:58:00.010+02:00

Thought for the day: Tourists are very useful to the modern world; it is very difficult to hate the people that one knows. Attributed to John Steinbeck and shared by Lori

An early morning begins a full day! We start the day with some bad news. Steve R is still not feeling well and won’t be joining us on the hike to Morskie Oko. We hope he feels 100% soon.

After breakfast everyone who wanted to go on the hike gathered in the lobby to meet the guide and head out. The drive out to the mountain took about 45 minutes and everyone was eager to get on the trail and get hiking. After about 45 minutes of walking, we came to the place in the trail where the groups split up. Sally and Cortney continued with the students and Polish teachers/camp counselors to one of the peaks around Morskie Oko. Meanwhile Steve L, Sue, Kathy and I went with Piotr and Paulina on road straight up to the lake.

While it may sound like both hikes were difficult, the end result was definitely worth it. Morskie Oko was absolutely gorgeous. While some of us circled the lake or caught some Z’s in the woods, Chris and Cyndi walked around the lake and went up to the different lake higher up. It seems like the only inspiration to leave the beautiful lake was the promise for off in the distance of a warm dinner and a comfy bed.

Back on the home front, Lori and Steve R took another dive into American culture with the remaining students and discussed what Americans call football and some rules in the game of baseball.

After dinner of soup and surprise, surprise, port, everyone headed up to their rooms to prepare to prepare for the saddest day of the trip – the last day with the students. Time has flown by.

Journal submitted by Sammi

2010-07-09T16:54:00.004+02:00

Thoughts for the day:

The future depends on what we do in the present. --- Attributed to Mahatma Ghandi
Always fall in what you’re asked to accept. Take what is given and make it your way. ---Attributed to Robert Frost

Thoughts above were shared by Sammi

The end is approaching fast for our band of volunteers at Zakopane. After the first few days here in Poland, many of us felt as if we had lived here for months. Alas, the days have gone by more and more quickly over the past two weeks with our students learning their conversational English by morning, hiking in the afternoon, and relaxing at night.

Today went by quite smoothly. Some of our students created monster children for their 2250 Make-a-Baby activity. Piotr thought his custom-made miniature boy would make an ideal child for taking off his shoes and socks at the end of a long day's work, which for some reason elicited contagious laughter from Kathy. I presume the rest of the American teachers maintained their aura of seriousness during lessons.

Many of the volunteers and just a handful of students went on a hike in Dolina Kościeliska (scientifically rated by my mom a 1.2576 out of 10 on the difficulty scale) and others stayed behind to play in a ping-pong tournament or relax during the afternoon. The day concluded with a meeting after dinner to discuss how to conduct our final classes on Friday. The team is preparing to go on a hike tomorrow with about half of the Polish students up to the famous Morskie Oko lake in the mountains while Lori remains behind to teach the remaining students for the day.

Looking back on today and the past two weeks, it is extremely rewarding to know that we have helped contribute in a small way to the intellectual development of these young adults. Above all, I believe that we have shown our students not only how to improve their English, but also how to enjoy learning the language. That is the most important lesson we could teach them in our short time here

2010-07-07T15:08:00.006+02:00

Thought for the day: "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

Attributed to Theodore Roosevelt and shared by Chris.

We had another successful day of teaching. A few groups went to check out the natural history museum today. As I understand it, the museum was under construction, but they talked their way in.

Although many of us were eager to hike after lunch, it had to be canceled due to the rain. The rain wasn’t enough to stop Sally, and rumor had it that she came back soaked to the knees.

After dinner the students presented Polish Night. They did a wonderful job and had us all laughing. The presentations began with an overview of the educational system, and the kids acted out the various developmental age groups. Next we learned about major cities in Poland. We even got to sample candy which the students explained came from Krakow. The fun continued with a hysterical game of Family Feud. The Kowalscy family battled the Brzęczyszczykiewiczowie family for the win. After we learned about famous Polish people and holidays in Family Feud game, the students ended their presentations by telling us a bit of Polish history.

The students came to the close with a gigantic vanilla cake with coconut and strawberry icing, too. The cake was lit by what I can only describe as sparklers for the birthdays of Steve L, Peter (a student camper), and myself. It was another wonderful ending to yet another wonderful day in Zakopane.

Submitted by Cortney

2010-07-06T14:57:00.008+02:00

Thought for the day: "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision... It is the fuel that allows common people to achieve uncommon results." Shared by Cortney

This day started and ended with song. The rainy Monday morning officially began with a surprise birthday greeting from the Polish students for Steve L. He stood up for this event and graciously accepted the presentation of a gold wooden flower.
At 9 AM we reassembled in the study room for the volunteers’ presentation on home town topics. Cyndi opened an explanation of the Star Spangled Banner. The ten volunteers all moved up front to sing our national anthem.

Presentations were done by each volunteer. Lori’s topic, the Fourth of July, included of course our early history with the British, but also examples of how American today typically celebrate this national holiday. Steve L shared with us a special story of his life. Many early Icelanders viewed the extremely deep ash from the one volcano’s eruption as a sign it was time to seek a new land. Thus, his grandfather sailed to Canada and ultimately traveled to North Dakota. Sally, with the help of a carefully drawn map, focused on the history and changing culture of Pittsburgh, once labeled as the Dirty Steel Town. Steve R, a resident of Cleveland, touched the listeners with the story of his and his father’s connection with relatives on a trip to Slovenia. Kathy gave her audience a sense of Minnesota’s natural environment. She relayed images of wild turkeys and the timber wolves, and “the lakes inside my soul.”Sue took her audience to an island in South Carolina where Toyota and BMW are building their plants, black residents are from Ghana, and alligators eat little dogs. Cortney chose a topic close to the minds of the students and pointed out the differences between American and Polish culture in universities. Her Pop Rocks provided a new life experience. Sam followed with a visit to the Minnesota State Fair with the food extravaganza, the butter bust of the Princess Kay of the Milky Way, and the presence of the biggest pig in Minnesota. Chris closed the program with a visual presentation of that made Los Angeles and Pomona College a reality for the Polish students. Cyndi, the designated mistress of ceremonies, successfully tied together this collage of America.

The students next walked to the nearby, the wet asphalt ball court, where Cyndi gave initial instructions on how to play kickball, and Steve R demonstrated the moves. But how can one explain the intricacies of kickball in only ten minutes? So, the inevitable “play ball” was yelled out, and after one practice inning, confusion changed to expressions of joy and challenge. Shouts of encouragement in Polish, came from the outfield. But soon the fun was ended, for now, with a rain delay. Fun did resume after lunch, however, with the students making banana splits. The scraping of bowls and occasional glance for second servings confirmed the success of this activity.

Our Fourth of July celebration concluded in the side yard of the Wanta Hotel. The evening began around 19:00 under a now clear blue sky, warm enough for a balloon toss and water bottle race, both gone wild. We applauded the short hoola hoop competition and the long, long, and longer egg toss. And who could ask more of life than sitting outside at dusk around a bonfire, roasting kielbasa, making s’mores, listening to Polish girls singing, and hearing Chris play on the guitar. Thank you, Cyndi and Steve R and all your helpers. We honor your enthusiasm.

Journal submitted by Sally

2010-07-05T16:06:00.005+02:00

We approached our lessons with gusto even though some of the teens are sleepy at 9 AM. Some of us have been incorporating field trips or walks as part of our time together.

Today was the first day without organized afternoon activities, so we were free to go at our own pace. Some of us, but perhaps mostly me, are still recovering from the Wednesday’s mountain descent. After another busy morning of teaching, Cortney, Sam, Sue and Steve took the bus to Krakow to take advantage of the weekend.

I visited the tourist information offices and was able to obtain senior-priced tickets for the Sunday event in Zakopane. It is so easy to make friends with the local people.

It was a treat to participate in the International Organ Festival. Danuta, Lori, Sally, and I listened to the artistry of the organist, flute and marimba player for an hour at a church. A projection screen showed the movement of the organist’s hands and feet throughout the performance.

One the way back to Hotel Wanta, we were captivated by a young accordion player in festive dress accompanied by a violinist entertaining one and all on Krupowki Street. He had a strong voice and sang with great passion while fingering his instrument.

At the hotel, those remaining experienced a well deserved rest after a busy and engaging week with our motivated students.

I can’t forget to mention our supper. While Chris, Cyndi, and Steve R dined out, sampling a local restaurant, the rest of us enjoyed golabki . Was it ever tasty!
Some highlights of the weekend:

Steve L: Experiencing one of the most beautiful cities in Europe – Krakow.
Sam: Loved all the life in the square in Krakow – music, accents from everywhere.
Chris: Allergies are better. I can breathe again.
Sally: A tearful moment which I turned during the Sunday afternoon concert and saw all the Polish people so moved by the music.
Sue: The visit to the Kazimierz district, including the visit to the old burial ground and the old man’s explanation of honoring the dead by leaving stones.
Cortney: Auschwitz and Shindler’s Factory for the same reason, to see all the that from the view of the Polish people.
Lori: It was nice to have it quiet.
Cyndi: Making preparations for American day. Being the guinea pig for the balloon toss was a highlight.

I have the last word, so I will emphasize the wonder of the musical event of Sunday. This was the most electrifying musical performance I have ever experienced. It was incredible to see the talent and energy of the world-acclaimed Mazowsze group.
Today I was lucky enough to sit with the cooks and the dining staff and learn their names and laugh a bit. They gave me a bit of this night’s [Sunday] dessert.

We also appreciated the handiwork of Ania with her food artistry at breakfast.

Submitted by Kathy B.

2010-07-02T14:11:00.005+02:00

Thursday was another picturesque day here in Zakopane. I continue to be impressed with the cooperation of the students, work ethic of the volunteers, and the organization and effectiveness of the Global Volunteers program.

All of the sessions are moving along well. It shows how curious learners, prepared instructors, and diversified activities lead to a successful learning environment.

Sam's yearbook continues to be a favorite of the students. It's interesting how effective something from a peer and real life situations can be.

Today's hike took place at Gubalowka Mountain. (Again an American keyboard does not allow for the correct entry of the name of this mountain.) This venue provided a challenging climb for those determined to take it on, but a beautiful view and relaxing descent for all on the modern chairlift.

The day concluded with a movie at an open air theater in Zakopane. This is a free event, with popcorn and other refreshments, sponsored by Orange Telecom.

Rumor has it there might be a kickball game on Monday, our time to celebrate Independence Day, between teams coached by Cyndi and Cortney.

Contributed by Steve R.

2010-07-02T14:06:00.004+02:00

Thought for the day:
"To the world you may be just one person, but to the one person you may be the world."
Attributed to Candis Goodwin and shared by Steve

Day 3 of our journey as a team began with the thought for the day and a superbly crafted journal entry. The rhythm of small groups followed by combined groups is now well established encouraging coordination of activities between teams and avoiding the repletion of the combined programs. There was evidence of the students late night games of Apples to Apples and Taboo. The scores achieved by the experienced students were exceptional. We are developing a rather impressive array of teaching and learning methods with rich exchanges of successes and new ideas synergizing our team.

The afternoon hiking was graded as an “8” on a 10 point scale compared to the “3” for days one and two. There were tired bodies all around the dinner table.

Lori shared her adventures as a Fulbright exchange scholar in Pecs, Hungary. She contrasted the Hungarian culture with both the US and Poland. The students were encouraged to keep a Polish-US Fulbright exchange as an option for their future. It was a full day for all us.

2010-07-01T20:51:00.007+02:00

Thought for the day: "Journey of a thousand miles ends with a single step". (Source unknown), contributed by Steve.

The morning sessions all were successful. As discussed later in our post-dinner session, activities that the students particularly enjoyed were playing the games Taboo and Apples to Apples; breaking the ice with the game two truths and a lie, and remembering that at least one of the ideas has to BE a lie; explaining how they'd like their ashes to be scattered after they died; reading, summarizing, and discussing the articles in the USA Today; mapping and then discussing the geography of one's home state and of Poland; having Sam share her yearbook with the students; comparing a wide range of similarities and differences in Polish and American lifestyles; cutting up and putting together similes; giving directions to try to replicate a drawing that the students can't see; and trying to trick a student into answering a simple yes or no in a series of questions. Kathy re-iterated that she's had great success with the exercises in the books The Non-Stop Discussion Workshop and Five-Minute Exercises. Some of the suggestions from these books include "ordering a baby in the year 2250" and "planning a perfect school curriculum."

After a hearty lunch of minestrone, meatloaf with onions, beet salad, yogurt cake and, of course, boiled potatoes, the intrepid among us set out with the students for a long walk to the ski jump as well as to a private villa built in 1896 which exemplifies the best qualities of Zakopane architecture. The biggest challenge of today's field trip was not negotiating slippery boulders down a precarious incline but rather negotiating a chair lift that took us up the side of the mountain. We took our turns and found the lift was rather tame, slowly churning around the platform at a speed that even the least agile among us could handle. The view from the top was magnificent, especially given how clear and perfect the day was. We also had a chance to examine a real ski jump up close and a little too personal. For those of us who watched the Winter Olympics and wondered who would be insane enough to ski down a ramp at 90 mph and fly hundreds of meters down a hill, our impressions were only confirmed by taking in the view from the ski jumper's perspective.

Far be it from me to complain, but it DID seem as if our fearless guides were a little confused about where exactly the next site--Dom Pod Jedlami--was located. After several detours, including what appeared to be serious consideration of crossing a newly tarred road, we finally made it to the villa. Jola explained that the villa's name literally means "under the pine trees." Because the home is privately owned, we were not permitted to go inside; however, we did have a chance to admire the intricate wood carvings and gables that distinguish this type of architecture, as well as examine the unique trees with their peculiarly bunched needles and the gigantic mushrooms called "huba" that grew from their trunks.

Throughout the walk, the students and teachers mixed more easily than they had on yesterday's walk. Many of us had the opportunity to speak casually with students other than our own. I think those conversations were as helpful to us as to the students we are supposed to be teaching.

The less well-traveled road back to the center of town reminded Chris and me of the area surrounding Reymontówka with its narrow, shady, tree-lined roads, though the architecture remained distinctly Zakopane. At the crossroads we parted ways, some of us heading into town and the rest of us back to Wanta for some respite before our simple supper of soup and sandwiches, with a little of the traditional Polish delicacy--lard--thrown in for our artery-clogging pleasure.

Our parting thoughts for the day came from Steve. He observed how easy it is to work with cooperative students who are smart.

2010-06-30T16:02:00.007+02:00

Thought for the day: "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." Submitted by Cyndi.

Day one of the ten days began with our team meeting at 7:45 AM where we read the journal from our orientation and arrival activities. At 9:00 we gathered in the lobby and received our room assignments for the classes and launched into our time with students. We worked with the students until 10:30 and then combined with another team for the last two hours of class. Both the single and double teams seemed pleased with the arrangement.

After lunch eight of us spent time with the students on a nearly four hour hike in the Tatra National Park. Dubbed by Teresa, the camp director, this was the “easiest hike” – seven gradual miles up and down the Strazy (can’t write Polish name correctly with an English keyboard) trail. Right!! I see more hikes in our future.

During reflection, after dinner, many successful teaching strategies were shared from our first attempts to teach these very bright capable students. Activities included basketball and word games, extemporaneous speaking, introductions, and sharing a high school year book. We know there will be challenges, but face the days ahead with optimism and confidence.

Submitted by Sue

Global Volunteers Team Journal Zakopane 2010

2010-06-30T12:48:00.005+02:00

Thought for the Day: "God does not require that we succeed. God only asks that we serve." Mother Theresa.

Shared by Sue

Our team assembled at the Krakow airport on Saturday, June 26, and journeyed to Zakopane in a very comfortable bus. We arrived at Hotel Wanta and received our room assignments and then enjoyed a wonderful Polish evening meal. Meanwhile another driver was collecting two members of the team who had been led on adventures by their airlines. They were able to arrive in mid-evening and get settled in as well.
Several went out for walk, exploring Zakopane. All appeared to enjoy a good night’s sleep in the mountain air.

After a plentiful Polish breakfast, our team adjourned to the conference room. Dorota, our team leader, started the morning by reviewing the history and accomplishments of the Global Volunteers program in Poland, noting the program would be celebrating its 20th anniversary in October. We also reviewed the Global Volunteer working principles. Our next orientation task culminated with five team goals:

• To assist students to gain confidence in using their English skills;
• To discover Poland;
• To build understanding between cultures;
• To develop team synergy; and
• To grow personally.

The team identified the following team characteristics:

• Sharing ideas;
• Objectivity;
• Flexibility;
• Respect;
• Curiosity and openness;
• Patience;
• Taking advantage of our different skills, ages, gender, and backgrounds; and
• Sense of humor.

We discussed teaching materials team members had brought with them and reviewed the teaching materials provided by Global Volunteers.

After a delicious lunch, we took a walk with the students and the Prus High School teachers to the Villa Atma.

Then we went to the wooden church and old cemetery. Some of the team members took a short walk to a nearby church and attended Mass. Others gathered at the Milka Festival stage and enjoyed the dance activities there.

After kolacja, we were welcomed to Poland by the camp director and met the teachers who are here with us, acting as camp counselors. Then we each met our group of students and planning for the first day of teaching began.

Submitted by Lori

New English Lab at Cisie School

2010-06-01T17:06:00.007+02:00

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors through Global Volunteers Sponsorship Program, the students from the elementary school in Cisie have a brand new English language lab. The funds donated by our sponsors were used for purchasing the appropriate furniture for the classroom (such as desks, chairs, white board, bookcases and bookshelves), the audio equipment, as well as teaching supplies and English language textbooks. The students are thrilled to study English in such a well equipped and supplied language lab. Please enjoy the pictures of this new classroom!

Millenium Development Goals achieved (May 8-29, 2010)

2010-06-01T16:56:00.004+02:00

Four volunteers taught for five hours a day. 280 hours of the English language instruction were provided to 400 students. 5 elementary schools and 2 middle school were impacted. The volunteers also conducted classes for 5 local teachers, as well as 2 other adult community members.

May 28, 2010

2010-05-28T15:31:00.008+02:00

Thought for the Day: “Many a tear has to fall, but it’s all in the game---“ Popular Nat “King” Cole song

Mary Martin @ Strzala Elementary

This is my final visit to the children in four various classes. First grade identified the days of the week as we do routinely, then busily worked with flash cards depicting colorful clothes and animals. “I have a brown bear. I have a green frog.”

Third grade practiced sentences that described their routine activities. Verbs were written in red pen or ink. Example: I walk to school. We speak English. We then expanded sentences by using names of classmates. Natalia plays with her friends.

This same attention to the FIRST PERSON SINGULAR –S in present tense verbs was practiced by Fourth graders, but we extended it to asking “Do you –Verb” Does s/he –Verb” questions of one another. It reinforced their focus to sit in two rows of chairs facing each other and work our way down the line: Line A asked questions; Line B answered and then we switched the procedure. Martina clearly distributed an advanced level of English language proficiency.

The principal and vice-principal, along with Agnes and Kate presented me with lovely tokens of appreciation for the services of a Global Volunteer. I carry with me warm memories of Strzala School and the lessons I learned there.

Georgianna taught four classes and bid a fond farewell to the two groups she won’t see tomorrow. The rest of the day was occupied with daily logs, summary log sheets for the two groups that ended classes today, and tweaking tomorrow’s lesson plans. And, sadly, one last class with Tosia and Waldek.

Audrey: I left Reymontowka at 9:00 in order to be on the bus and ready to roll out of Cisie at 9:30. After Pani Dyrector Maryla led the students in prayer, off we went to Warsaw.

The students loved the play---Little Tiny in English---and I was mesmerized, despite the fact that I do not understand Polish. After the performance, the students were bubbling over with what they had seen and there was a constant “Mrs., Mrs.” as they used their English---or tried to, usually as a group effort—talk about what we had seen.

Next we went off to Zelazowa Wola, the birthplace of Chopin. For me, a true lover of Chopin’s music, it was a very special occasion, something completely unexpected, a true gift.

Eventually we staggered back to the bus, collapsed into our seats, students and teachers alike, recharging and rehydrating with candy and chips and water. Some of us sat quietly, a few snoozed briefly, most talked, and eventually we all sang. A few students volunteered to use the bus microphone to sing, sort of a rolling karaoke, and all joined in.

I arrived home weary but energized and very happy, in time for a late supper and then to bed.

Jim’s penultimate day with the 8^th & 9^th “scholars” at Spoleczna went well. The schedule was unchanged, the interruptions were non-existent, and the students seemed to accept the foreigner as “one of the staff”. Even the grade-schoolers hailed the visiting American with hearty “good mornings”. Lessons were performed quite well by the upper Middle School students, and the word search puzzles filled out each of the class hours that had unfulfilled time remaining.

A particularly heart-warming tutoring session was shared by his two adult “students” in the four-to-five-thirty afternoon session. Again, animated conversations which included new segments on stress in the workplace and Polish and American superstitions, were the order-of-the-day. Parting was indeed sweet sorrow! It is felt that tomorrow’s final sessions at Spoleczna will just be more of the same!

May 26, 2010

2010-05-28T15:14:00.004+02:00

Thought for the Day: "When in doubt, don’t."

Audrey: starts today’s report: Margaret (Gosia) and I did have one small class of 5 students who are in need of some extra coaching in English and it went well. Then it was off to the GYM….by now crowded with smiling Mums and some smaller children. Well the SHOW was terrific and I learned the children, who take dance lessons every Wednesday, have been preparing for this day since last September……their efforts showed as class after class,in lovely costumes, sang, danced and read poetry for their Mothers…..what a tribute and how special for me to be there on such an occasion.

A combined class---grades 4, 5 and 6---at Zelkow---was great with lots of conversation and some questions about Canada and my family. The class gave me a very nice thank you gift in the form of a class photo with the words, “Thank you for helping us!”

Jim’s day began early and ended late – with a sprinkling of meals and Spoleczna classes mixed into the middle. In a word, Jim’s day at school was “satisfying”. The story creations dealing with “Disasters” were expertly read aloud and the exercise of passing “Rumors” – Jim would secretly tell the first student about a rumor and that student would secretly tell another student (in Polish) their recollection of what was said – and on and on until the last student in the chain would tell Jim what his/her version of the original rumor – in English. Each student was given the opportunity to be the final link in the chain producing a lot of laughter and successful endings to each rumor started.

Jim’s afternoon session with the two ladies, Aneta and Joanna, was equally satisfying. Topics of discussion were troublesome TH sounds and ING endings to English words and late-night television addiction. The discussion turned to the difficulties in learning both English and the native language, Polish. It would be remiss to avoid thanking Georgianna for her assistance in this session. Her knowledge of both languages was invaluable.

Mary Martin went to Strzala School with Dorota where they enjoyed the Mother’s Day/Father’s Day presentation which the elementary classes had prepared, with mothers as their guests. The songs, poems, and dances showed the talents of the children and the warmth of their affection for mothers as each child gave his/her mother a flower. On the return trip, Mary Martin got photos of a stork atop her nest, and photos of a farmer plowing his field by a one-horse power “engine” – his horse. Poland has been full of lovely surprises.

May 25, 2010

2010-05-27T18:56:00.005+02:00

The realization that our days here numbered---only three teaching days left---was brought home to us last night when Dorota distributed the combined Global Volunteers Assignment and Team Rating sheets, along with the IRS certification forms and the summary sheets for the log books. We’ve started working on them, although the summary log sheets most likely will not be finished until the last day of classes.

At 5:00, our invited guests, principals, teaching colleagues and adult students arrived for our celebratory farewells. A weekday evening works out better than a Friday night, for our Polish colleagues and for those of us who must depart for the airport at 6:00 a.m. Saturday.

And now, the day’s activities, as reported by the volunteers:

Mary Martin---Mother Nature is playing tricks on us. A cold front moved in during the night, bring chilly temperatures along with partly cloudy skies. Mary Martin’s ride to Strzala arrived shortly after eight o’clock, taking that back county road which passes through several tiny villages. The four morning class periods passed quickly. Grade 5 students presented their poster work to one another. Grades Four and Two practiced songs for the Family Day presentation tomorrow afternoon.

The “older” students (I’m guessing ages 15 – 16) explored the topic of Idioms which makes English more colorful, more visual, and for the foreign language learner, often more opaque.

Once a lead student caught fire, the rest of the thirteen students became active, participating in sentences which built a dialog around the theme of whether or not to tell parents about their boyfriends. They decided in favor of their teacher, Miss Kate, whom they adore. My driver for the return trip to Reymontowka efficiently whisked me home through green fields and leafy trees swaying under strong winds out of the northwest.”

Jim had breakfast with his mates preceded the measured driving of Roman – off to Spoleczna to face the energies of the students there – and the day can be deemed successful by Jim even with several students absent. The lessons remaining for the week were introduced and a full week of classroom work and homework assignments were forecasted. These include writing and reading aloud “Disaster Stories”, performing a “Restaurant Skit”, and reviewing the students ideas of what items were to be deposited in a “100 year Time Capsule”. In addition to the above, parts of sessions would be devoted to the “Rumors” activity and the “Complete the Story” project. “Search Word” puzzles would supplement whatever time was left in each session.

Audrey had a very good morning in Cisie. The kids—grades 2, 3 and 6—were spontaneous and enthusiastic, quite focused. They asked questions , we did word lists on the board, practiced the words, and made sentences. We also worked with clocks and made sentences, for example, “I get up at ________________.” Grade 3 loves to sing, so we began and ended with a song.

At 7:00 we moved to the big tent for a special children’s performance of traditional games and dances, as well as a concert by a local women’s group, both dancers and singers being accompanied by three local musicians on fiddle, accordion and drums. The encore involved us! Several rollicking dances with performers, volunteers, colleagues and students at the invitation of the real performers.

We then trudged up the stairs and to our rooms, ready for sleep.

May 24, 2010

2010-05-27T15:38:00.006+02:00

Thought for the Day: Taste all that is possible; you may regret passing on something good! --John Robert Paulus

Believe it or not, we are into the third and final week of our Global Volunteers service. As noted below numerous times, we each have acquired a daily routine, despite the variations in our schedules among the different schools. This Monday at Spoleczna, Mary Martin enjoyed exploring the topic of Idioms which makes English more colorful, more visual, and for the foreign language learner, often more opaque. “You cannot translate these; you will not find these in an ordinary dictionary,” she advises students. “But you can learn these and use them to make your conversation more interesting.”

Idiomatic expressions were matched with definitions. Then students created sentences on the white boards, using names of classmates. For example: Konrad has a candy bar and Pawel is green with envy. Keeping to a theme also enhance meaning, with themes of COLOR and SPORTS:

A. Patty, you didn’t study for the test. I heard you tell teacher a white lie!

B. Yeah, but you didn’t either. We’ll both sink or swim together.

C. Not me! Go fly a kite!

Students caught on quickly. Those who listened and contributed sentences earned stickers for their notebooks or pencil cases. Those who chose to coast through the exercises learned a fact of Life: “Those who don’t work, don’t eat,” for, in Mary Martin’s classroom, even those who listen courteously and show effort can achieve recognition.

The day continued with a tutorial at 3:30 and steady completion of the Global Volunteer evaluation forms which are due before we pull up stakes and move on.

At Spoleczna, the III-A girls sailed through a Translation Exercise, and a pronunciation scheme featuring voiced and unvoiced TH sounds, adding ING practice as well. A harder-than-usual Word Search puzzle was used as fillers for all four classes. For tomorrow, a Time Capsule project was prescribed as homework – and the shorter assignments covering ED endings, and Radio/TV commercials were returned to the students. Jim discovered that when students do not turn in homework, it does make his job easier! No fractured English sentences to correct!

Nothing out of the ordinary at Niwiski School. Pani Dyrektor and three teachers left a bit early for an afternoon of training---in research methods and evaluation---in Siedlce. Several students were absent with what were pantomimed as “sore throats.” Since I, too, have developed a raspy voice, probably due to pollen in the air, I seized the opportunity to teach the English idiom “frog in my throat” as in “I have a frog in my throat.” The fourth- and fifth-grade students knew “frog,” and “throat,” but the third grade needed the dictionary to grasp the meaning of “throat.” The third-graders were especially amused by the image and later danced down the hall making frog sounds and repeating “frog in my throat.”

Audrey's day started at Grala school with Kasia with school lunch between 3 and 4. Kasia and I decided that since it was my last visit to the school we should talk more about Canada, my family and theirs and encourage questions….so we did just that. In Grade 4 class we also covered Birthdays. The students at this school are all eager, full of fun and had some good questions. Grade 4 sang me a’Tiger’ song…in English. Today I met the Headmistress who gave me a warm welcome and invited me to return to her school.

Agness arrived at four o’clock and we enjoyed a visit and conversation on many topics….weekend activities, etc. over tea. She wanted to practice reading and chose a story from her brother’s English workbook on the history of TRAINERS (running shoes) which was very interesting for both of us. Agnes read very well and only needed correction on very few words. I’m so glad she can come to our picnic here tomorrow evening….a delightful young lady and its been a pleasure to work with her.

May 21, 2010

2010-05-27T15:27:00.002+02:00

Thought for the Day: "The only constant is change!"

Fortunately, or unfortunately, according to your point of view, Friday arrived at around 4:45 a.m! The mourning doves were alive and messaging each other. A pig could be heard in the distance acknowledging the presence of Eos, the Goddess of Early Mornings. And down the road, a gentle breeze was using the pine forest as its method of announcing yet another day, a pleasant one to be sure, at our digs here at Reymontowka. The awesome foursome plus the” awesome-champion” Dorota, sat down again to break the nighttime fast with a delicious “start-of-the-day” meal. The Thursday journal was read to the assemblage and our respective journeys to school followed.

Immediately after lunch Dorota and I headed into Siedlce to meet up with my student Agnes for a shopping expedition. I was interested in finding a simple summer dress but most of the fashions seem to be for slim young things!! I felt it was good experience for Agnes… taking me into several shops and helping me look, convey my questions to the sales clerk, and then try on a few items.

Georgianna’s students were all in their places with bright, shiny faces and homework, too. She took advantage of the sunny, breezy afternoon to camp out on the back patio with logbooks and lesson plan books and succeeded not only in completing all of the Friday logs but also all of next weeks’ lesson plans for grade three, both groups. She had time to do a half-hour session with her Pimsleur Polish Lessons before a short walk along the fields. A grand day to start the weekend.

Mary Martin had another lovely day with sunshine and fair temperatures: "Since students at Spoleczna school portrayed Polish historical figures of the Baroque era, the 1700’s, on Wednesday, I followed up our Monday historical timelines – which compared Poland to the USA – by showing them the photos I took of them on Wednesday. My pint-size Acer notebook proves its worth as I carry it from class to class. Using the wh—information question stems (who, what, when, where, how, and why) I ask probing questions hoping to elicit significant historical information from them.

May 20, 2010

2010-05-27T13:24:00.002+02:00

Thought for the Day:

"It is only with the heart one can see rightly;

what is essential is invisible to the eye." –St. Exupery

At our team meeting following lunch, there was consensus that we are meeting our pre-established goals: To provide practice with English language, to build bridges of understanding and respect, to be personally enriched. members agreed that this is happening through interactions in our school environments, on the social level when we meet Polish people – drivers, cooks, principals and teachers – and even in our team interactions.

Dorota reviewed the characteristics of a strong team, which we had articulated earlier. Again, consensus on success.

We have passed the first half of our three week period. Each of us has a daily routine of teaching hours in the morning, tutoring hours on varied days of the week. We meet three times a day at our meals. Days are not set in concrete; flexibility helps to advert a sense of frustration or discouragement. Like gardeners, we plant seeds; we cannot control the factors which affect student progress, nor control the outcome of English language learning. We can offer our gifts and, as the song advises, “let it be, let it be; there will be a future, let it be.”

It was a day like all days, filled with the events that illuminate our times, and Georgianna was there, at Niwiski School! A tad scrambled, with some students at Reymontowka with a poetry competition and others in the mountains on a field trip and two third grade sections that took it upon themselves to change groups. Hence, group 1, instead of the usual students, was augmented by two students who decided to join the earlier session, probably because they could then slip away early. The nice part for Georgianna, was that group 2 had a much smaller number, so she could devote herself to individual attention to certain students, one at a time. Probably, not a positive for those students who were maybe feeling a little bit on the spot. It’s difficult and frustrating to be a third grader whose English skills are really limited to vocabulary, sentences being a whole new, overwhelming concept. But they survived and will live to tell the tale, probably in Polish.

Audrey had another good day teaching at Cisie School with Margaret, grades 4,1 and 6 today. The grade 1 students are great fun and we just take it very slow with colors and numbers and we use flash cards, that went over quite well. We sang some songs about our body parts—Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes. She asked them to color a Canadian flag for that class hadn’t done it. I took my camera today and had my picture taken of this delightful little class.

Grades 4 and 6 are always a bit more challenging. Today we continued to build on sentence structure and especially on Time using a big yellow clock with moveable hands to great advantage. They have to translate clock time in words into numerals on the face by using matching slips of paper. Margaret drove Audrey home, so they were able to continue our English conversation.

Mary Martin brought home a bouquet of flowers – yellow tulips with white roses -- which the recalcitrant First Communion class offered her as an act of contrition for their “misbehavior” yesterday – recorded in yesterday’s notes. Cook gave her a pitcher for a vase and the bouquet graces the Global Volunteers workroom table.

She adds another highlight, “Today’s driver took the same county back roads which delighted me yesterday when that driver traveled by the same shortcut. This driver, along with her daughter, Natalia, turned down a narrow lane and stopped in front of their new home. We had time for the briefest of tours, but it was a great opportunity to get a glimpse of modern design for the many new homes which are popping up over Poland.”

May 19, 2010

2010-05-27T13:07:00.003+02:00

Thought for the Day: You’ll be dead a long time! - Victoria Litwornia Chojnowski

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Tomorrow, tomorrow---that’s been our song for days but finally, today, tomorrow arrived and we could sing “Here comes the sun . . . .” as it broke through the clouds late in the morning. The world lit up and so did we.

We are, in Audrey’s words, settling into comfortable routines at our schools and here at home, Reymontowka. We have finally internalized the fact that dessert is with supper (colazion), not with lunch (obiad which means dinner). Obiad has soup (zupa) as the first course, then the full formal meal.

Georgianna’s day was nicely paced. The usual morning at Niwiski, meeting with four classes: a fourth grade, two third grades, and the fifth grade. This was her day without an afternoon tutoring session, so she holed up in the cozy yet spacious wood-paneled resource room under the eaves and worked her way through all three log books, one for each grade.

Audrey reports that she and Margaret (Gosia) are becoming more of a team every day as they teach together at Cisie---today grades 1, 4 and 6^.The highlight of her day was a lovely afternoon nap, followed by a walk in the countryside before our evening meal.

Jim spent the day with his Spoleczna school students witnessing an amazing production of student talent at a sports center in Siedlce. But it wasn’t nearly as athletic as it was artistic! As it turned out, the Baroque Project had been planned for the school featuring gorgeous period costumes, rehearsed dramatizations, dance routines, and other theatrics, all staged on a gymnasium floor. Properties such as draped folding chairs, microphones, posters depicting regal crests, and other paraphernalia were quickly carried to the performance area by the entertainers themselves, and just as rapidly removed for the next presentation. All of the scenes were laudable! It was obvious that the students, ranging in age from six to 15, had worked very hard at this project.

The afternoon ended with the return of Aneta and Joanna to Reymontowka for another tutoring session. A good time was had by all, exploring American idioms and slang!

May 18, 2010

2010-05-27T12:53:00.004+02:00

Thought for the Day: "Yesterday is but a memory; tomorrow is a mystery; that’s why today is called the present – a gift!"

Tuesday, May 18

Today’s driver for Mary Martin has her niece with her; this Maja is a student at junior high school; judging by her flow of English, she is a highly successful student. “Strzala” she informs Mary Martin “means arrow.” Certainly many arrows have flown through the course of Polish history. Once again, classes flow by in a medley of themes: sports, routines of the day, telling time and the days of the week. The oldest group of students use an article to explore the meaning and significance of “environmental issues.” Some are clearly more confident with cooperative learning than others when they work in small groups with a definite task to perform. The friendly, pleasant staff paired with friendly, willing children create an atmosphere conducive to learning and self-expression.

At Spoleczna, Jim used word-search worksheets and city map locations, the ensuing classroom response to the lessons was quite enthusiastic.

Jim attempted his infant Polish vocabulary on his trip to and from the school on a very amused Roman, the morning and afternoon “chauffeur” – and slowly but surely, a bond is being formed with this most genial of Polish gentlefolk.

At four o’clock, Jim met with his two adult ladies for their regular tutorial sessions and enjoyed the encounter immensely. Aneta and Joanna have extensive vocabularies with only an occasional pronunciation “wrinkle” to correct. Aneta seems to be the “resource” person when Joanna stalls on a word selection. Both responded well to an English speech (delivered by a visiting big-wig) and the supposed translation of the speech into Polish (for an invisible audience).

The day was capped off by an invitation to an evening Chopin concert – one of Jim’s favorite composers – to be absolutely blown away by the talent and skill of a quartet of young people. The youngest, Aleksandra, was (guessing) eight years old and displayed an amazing gift at the keyboard. She was followed by Alicja, again guessing, a ten-year-old, who stroked the ivories with her renditions of a composition by Chopin and an etude by Liszt. The third and fourth pianists were older boys, Jakub and Igor, both playing other works of Chopin and Liszt. It was a most impressive concert.

May 14-16, 2010

2010-05-16T19:33:00.016+02:00

Thought for the Day:

"We build the ladder by which we climb."

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Rain drums on rooftops announcing that the May festival will not be spared. Nor will Georgianna be deterred from the thrill of a horseback ride. She rode in the rain. Now that is passion!

Through late morning hours stalwart Poles gather and under the sophisticated white tent, “the show must go on” as a talented and discipline dance troupe, composed of university students, delights the audience with folk songs and dances representing various regions of historical Poland. Zygmunt Wielogorski, equivalent to a U.S. County Commissioner for this region, attends, distributing certificates to mark the official closing of wood carvers’ workshop.

Local folk groups perform traditional songs. Stalwart. Vibrant. These senior citizens portray how one can continue to be actively engaged with Life despite the inroads age may take on one’s physic. I, Mary Martin, study their faces with wrinkles or creases that map out stories unknown to us. But, given their generation, they have surely witnesses sufficient harshness and suffering since that fateful day, September 1, 1939. I never heard my Croatian baba sing, nor her friends among Mrs. Starcevic, Mrs. Papic, Mrs. Miletich, girls who immigrated from the poverty stricken region of Like in northeastern mountains of Croatia. They always had sad eyes. Yes, the faces of Polish grandmothers, along with a sprinkling of grandfathers – for singers tend to be female – more than entertain us. They inspire us with the vivacity of Poland whose cardinal virture appears to be that of “endure, and celebrate Life.”

Jim remains in the audience. Georgianna is happily chatting with Polish friends, when Audrey and MM steal away toward the food court. Yuk yuk. Like everyone else, we find ourselves perilously slipping and sliding and balancing ourselves through trails turned into muddy quagmires. They begin to laugh, yet they are determined to reach that kielbasa stand! Photos testify to their near misses for firm footing. As a table of Polish folks begin to sing traditional songs, they creep over to listen. A Polish woman waves to them, “Come join us,” she gestures, making room on the bench. They join these warm-hearted hosts and soon are humming and swaying to the melancholic, soulful or romantic tunes. Dorota and her husband . . . come by and wave to us. Food is passed. Dancing begins. But 6:30 P.M. arrives, and lest they turn into pumpkins, Audrey and Mary Martin bid Thanks and Farewell, slipping and sliding their way back to the bright and dry shelter of their residence. It’s great fun to reunite with Jim and Georgianna for a recap of the day.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Jim and Georgianna team up to do their laundry and later, Jim “cleans up” by efficiently writing a play for his middle students to perform, entitled Breakfast Skit.

Georgianna enjoys excursion with a friend.

Audrey & MM bravely take the morning train into Warsaw where they join a tour for part of the day and explore Old Towne on their own for their final three hours. Audrey is fortunate in finding a water color print to accompany her home to Canada.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Georgianna spent a day with 2 classes of 4th graders, so she had a good time. She knows them well, meeting with them 2 hours a day for 3 weeks. “We moved through introductions by reading the day, date, and weather -- our standard for each day.”

Topics included families and the sound of th. Georgianna returned home, planning to ride a horse, but it was going to rain so she cancelled that and worked with Gosia (Margaret) in one-on-one tutoring.

Jim, despite a rearranged teaching schedule and some absent students, some of them now 2 days behind class work, believes that today all 4 groups handled word searches very well, and word chains exceptionally well. “We began the business of being interpreters of a city map for a group of Germans or Japanese or Peruvians who were asking about drugstores, hardware stores, and the like. I feel that the old American teacher is no longer a novelty. We finished the work, on idioms and slang expressions and conversed about fathers’ and mothers’ occupations.”

“Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it’s off to a new school I go,” chants Mary Martin as she joins Jim for the ride to his middle school site named Spoleczna. On Fridays and Mondays she is scheduled to meet with four classes. Today, three of those classes explored the question, “What is the difference between communication and language?” “I introduced myself and a brief family history in Croatian, writing supportive, visual information on the board – such as proper nouns or significant dates – and by using my USA and Iowa maps. We then determined how much information they gained about me, although I was not speaking English or any language familiar to them.

“Next, I role played the “slouching student” in contrast to the “alert student,” the “unhappy teacher” compared to the “happy teacher.” We used a T-square to compare Communication and Language – both involved in the transfer of information. However, communication includes non-verbal language (facial expression, tone of voice, body posture) while Language is a tool by which we share specific information through speech. (They arrived at the “tool” concept after examples of fork and spoon for lunch, pen for writing notes, axe for chopping wood to make a camp fire.)

Forty-five minute class periods were broken by fifteen minute pauses. In the faculty room Jim and MM were served hot tea, sliced fruit and some chocolates. “My final class of eight students sat in an informal circle and talked about what was important or special about each of them. Conrad played a short classical tune on his violin as an example of something he wanted us to know about him. A lad of Chinese origin, born in Spain but living in Poland, seem to huddle within his large self. One tiny lad appeared to be about six years old. The agonizing contrasts of emerging adolescence was obvious in this lively group whom I will revisit on Monday. They asked for our topic to be United States history. How’s that for being specific?!”

Before their van left Siedlce, their driver, Roman, paused at a kiosk so MM could fulfill her craving for green onions and fresh apples. Upon arrival at Reymontowka, Jim and MM found the dining room packed with a group employed by the prosecutor’s office. Georgianna followed on our heels, to round out our homey group of five. Hot mushroom soup brightened the gloomy, gray day, an appetizer to our plates overflowing with a pork cutlet, boiled potatoes and two kinds of salads, not to forget the bread basket – and fresh green onions!

TGIF it may be, but duties still await Audrey, who meets with a small group of children for conversation and a picnic lunch on the veranda, and Georgianna, who has a tutorial session. Dorota generously escorts MM to get train tickets for tomorrow’s excursion with Audrey to Warsaw, and for MM to get a haircut, a real treat with these accomplished Polish beauticians

Audrey spent the morning at Cisie School with Margaret/Gosia and she assisted her teaching Grades 4, 5, and 2. They all went well but the last is so much fun; it was my third time with Grade 2 who love to sing and all of them are so attentive and enthusiastic. Home for lunch and the usual, wonderful, “over the top” lunches. It is so nice to meet the rest of the team over our meals. I really like that time together.

After a short rest I went downstairs to meet a small group from Skorzec, seven of ten who arrived with two teachers. They are working on an EU project. They came with written questions about Canada. We sat informally around the table and had a lively discussion. At the end of our indoor time we posed for a picture with everyone wearing stick-on Canadian flags!!!! The heavy rains had arrived but did not deter us from the planned picnic on the beautiful grounds of Reymontowka. The cook took care of the sausages while we ate them under the picnic shelter. The children sang some Polish songs at my request …what enthusiasm!! The teachers and I had a little time to talk together. One little lad circled the group, amid much giggling, asking “Would you like a sweet? We took some photos and about four of the students asked me to sign their work books. The happy visit ended with thank yous and hugs all round!!!!

Rain, again, this time a persistent downpour that dims the afternoon, sends cobblestone workers home hours early, and drums with steady persistence on the roofs of Reymontowka

May 12-13, 2010

2010-05-14T11:58:00.014+02:00

Thursday, May 13, 2010

We are settling into a routine, at least here at home at Reymontowka. Mary Martin, Audrey and Jim are the larks, up early---not quite with the sun, which rises by 4:30 a.m. at this time of year, but certainly before 6:00 a.m.---and working in the resource room by 6:30. Georgianna is the owl who prefers to finish her preparation the night before so she can get up at 7:10, in time to be ready for 7:30 breakfast.

And what breakfasts they are! Apple fritters or delicate crepes with fresh whipped cream and/or jam for toppings or scrambled eggs, and always with yogurt, dry cereal, tomatoes, cucumbers, red peppers, cheese, cold meats, fresh rolls and rye bread and, of course, herbata for the larks and kawa for the owl. A nutritious start for the day ahead, on our feet in the classrooms or chatting in PolEnglish with the schools’ volunteer drivers, most of whom take time from their jobs or other duties to take us back and forth. It’s their contribution to the Global Volunteers’ effort.

Our assignments have shifted a bit from day to day, with changes in times and schools as well as in tutoring assignments, mostly because we are a very small team and so many schools want native speakers of English to supplement their own English language curriculum. The Polish teachers of English do a masterful job, often being shared by two schools due to a shortage of teachers trained to teach English. Like teachers in the United States, they are under pressure to get through the textbook and prepare students for exams and the next year’s curriculum. In the primary and middle schools especially, they must focus on vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension. Conversation, listening to and understanding spoken English, and speaking it take a lot of time and they often do not have that. We do and we are not accountable for getting through the textbooks or that full course of study.

So, we four are being very flexible, adapting to a situation planned for six volunteers, two of whom canceled at the last minute due to the family medical emergency. Each of us has agreed to do a little extra, whether taking on one more adult student to tutor or working with an extra class, to help fill in the gaps. It is, after all, only three weeks and we are here to serve as asked, not a difficult thing because this is fun and a grand opportunity to learn about Poland and Polish people.

Therefore, today Georgianna taught three grades at Niwiski School and then, late in the afternoon, worked with the Niwiski principal and her husband, who have been learning English with Global Volunteers for the last two years. They, like all the adults we tutor late each day, put in full days at their regular, full-time jobs before driving as much as 20 kilometres (about 14 miles) to Reymontowka, usually a 30-minute journey in rush-hour traffic on Route 2, the highway that carries all traffic between Warsaw and Terespol on the border with Belarus. And then they drive back home. Their commitment and determination is remarkable. They work hard and they do it with good grace and great courtesy, showing appreciation for everything and anything we do.

Audrey, always chipper and calm, finished her usual stint co-teaching at Cisie School before dinner (served at our lunch time) before she went off to her new second school, Zelkow. She reported that it was quite satisfying, with focused students and a very supportive teacher, who had worked with the students beforehand to be certain they and Audrey could make the best use of the limited time available.

Jim’s Spoleczna assignment is stabilizing after two days of changes made to accommodate students’ prior commitments to a drama competition. He and the students are settling into a comfortable routine of four classes---gender-segregated as it turns out, probably by chance---three of which are terrific. The fourth is taking a little longer to settle in, but it will come. He is mulling over which play to put on with them, and may decide to write his own, something appropriate for his small classes of four or five advanced students.

As for Mary Martin, well, here is her very own report:

“I simply had fun, F-U-N!” MM begins. I experience a wave of energy and creativity by working with these young Polish children. Of course my mentor, Agnes, a gifted teacher and an energetic personality, is an ideal teaching partner. She gives me a topic and some guidelines, and away we go – sailing blithely into Grade 1. Grade 1 quickly takes to the song, “Good morning to you. . . with sunshiny faces. . . “ I react with great surprise when they sing their song, “Hello, hello!” With quick insight, I add some easy, rhythmic steps to their singing. Dorota wanders in, camera in hand, the ever vigilant Global Volunteers facilitator, who passed out chocolate bars to us (volunteers) earlier this morning.

Grade 5 come prepared with Job Project posters to complete in small task groups. I circulate, asking probing questions, but few feel competent enough to answer questions with other than one or two word phrases. I put a schema on the board to help them create answers: “Why is/was / she important? What does/did s/he do?” for our next meeting.

The entire school enjoyed a concert by a professional music group which played a mixed set of songs, from Polish classics to pop music influenced by U.S.A. jazz. Grade 3 class was shortened due to the concert, but we had time to practice the Days of the Week, and to look at vocabulary words. Suddenly, the school day was over.

Lunch is very satisfying.Vice-Principal Margaret arrives for a tutorial. She is intrigued by two idiomatic phrases: to knock oneself out and to be hot under the collar. We apply these to people in her life. Shortly after 4:00, Paulina arrives for her tutorial. “I hate the passive voice!” Paulina declares. “I hope we can make it your friend, “ I encourage. By the time she leaves, Paulina appears confident. Rain patters on the roof for few minutes. This upper floor feels cozy and relaxing.

And so, thus ended our public work day. After colazione (supper) at 6:30, we repaired to the resource room to work a while but then the larks fluttered off to their cozy nests under the eaves of Reymontowka. It is raining now, a lovely night to snuggle into our beds, and so I shall. Tomorrow is another day and another deluxe breakfast will await.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Thoughts for the Day:

* Keep calm and carry on.

* Do whatever you can, with whatever you have, wherever you are.

It’s Audrey’s turn to record the team’s day of activity so here goes. I awoke to another beautiful summer like day with birds singing and flowering shrubs and trees outside my window….this is the most beautiful place and it feeds the soul!! My new abode in the manor house overlooks the main entrance and is both cozy and comfortable. Breakfast gave us another Polish delight….apple fritters…yum yum…. but I managed to restrain myself this time!!!!

Off to school at 8.30am in Cisie again and today I met Margaret for teaching grades 4, 5 and 6. She is an excellent teacher and fairly strict. It was somewhat of a relief to observe that, even with her, some students can be chatty or inattentive at times.

Margaret began by introducing me to the class and with the map asked me to show the class where I lived and also where my family lived: the distances, climate, etc. Then each student introduced themselves to me: name, age, brothers and sisters, pets and Margaret would ask them for names and colors, etc. After that the workbooks came out and Margaret involved me in asking questions: names, colors, how many, etc. and relating it to objects in the room. Some students gave full answers and others just one word answers but Margaret said that was okay. They feel good when they get the right answer…of course! . In the last class she asked two students to come up front and the class to describe their clothes. The Pani (Principal) always greets me when I arrive at the school and serves tea and goodies in the staff room between classes. This morning it was so nice to be greeted inside and out by many students calling out Good Morning Mrs.!!!

We were a foursome for lunch today as Mary Marten was having lunch at her school . Afterwards I did some paper work, took a rest and later on a walk before dinner. Dorota has asked me to tutor another small group on Friday afternoon and I am happy to do so. Tonight we had quite a discussion during and after dinner covering many topics relating to the war years.

In speaking with Georgianna she reports it was her first full day teaching all 3 grades….5, 4 and 3 with a lunch break of course and she enjoyed it very much.

Jim reports that Day 2 went quite well but still had a few wrinkles in regard to scheduling. He enjoyed his students very much and is impressed with their language skills. He teaches ages 13-16. Today he taught the English alphabet in CODE using a Poster ‘THINKING TOGETHER IS FUN’ in teams of 2. He also spent some time stressing the difficult TH sound and its many applications, also talked of family, food and colors. His day was capped off nicely with the two ladies from yesterday in another two hour session.

It’s a full day for Mary Martin. Four classes at Strzala School pass in rapid succession: grades 6, 1st, 3rd, and 2nd. As a “bonus”, the principal asked Agnes and me to cover an “older group” at 12:35, since a teacher was called away. This was followed by tea and chatting with the principal before being escorted into the gym where a professional photographer was taking photos of each class group. The principal, Agnes, and I posed together for a photo.

Next, Mary Martin was a guest at Agnes’ home where she met her husband, Peter, her grandmother, her 21 month-old daughter, Susana, and Agnes’ mother, who came to take Susana for a long walk while MM assisted Agnes with questions about her thesis preparation. There was time, however, for tea and cheesecake! On the return trip to Reymontowka little Susan, from the backseat, cooed in English, “Cow, cow! Dog, dog! Baby, baby!” as she peered out her window. Life in Poland is full of the unexpected under bright sunshine.

Tonight both Jim and Audrey took up Mary Martin’s kind offer to use her SKYPE telephone and made calls back home. Time to ‘get horizontal’ now…..as Jim would say!!!! Goodnight everyone…..in several languages!

May 8-11, 2010

2010-05-14T11:36:00.010+02:00

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Thought for the Day:

"We cannot all do great things, but we can all do small things with great love." Mother Theresa

We started our work day at 8:30 with a Team Building exercise, starting with Team Goals:

To provide English practice

To be personally enriched

To build bridges of understanding and respect

Next, we agreed on the characteristics of a successful team:

Common purpose

Mutual support

Non-judgemental

Sense of humor

Sharing ideas and experience

Involvement

Openness

Flexibility

Patience

Listening

Respect

Trust

Courtesy

Self-care

Responsibility

Enjoys the experience

The afternoon brought us a small taste of Polish culture, the everyday local variety, as well as an inkling of Polish hospitality. As special guests at the Niwiski School Community Fair, we were publicly recognized and thanked for volunteering to teach in Poland. We then joined the local dignitaries for tea and sweets. A lovely occasion.

But then, back home to Reymontowka to meet our principals and teacher colleagues and plan for the days ahead.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

The team convened at 5:30, just in time for an elegant “Welcome to Poland” dinner in the elegant Fireplace Room. The dinner table had been made even more elegant and welcoming by the students from Grala, who had prepared small bouquets of wildflowers and handmade cards.

After dinner, we introduced ourselves. Who are we?

Jim —Once an Air Force man, a “Remington Raider,” Jim spent 37 years as a teacher and drama coach. He lived and taught in Japan for a total of six years and was a Global Volunteer teacher in China three times.

Mary Martin—A Sister of Humility for 14 years, and now an Associate of the Order, Mary Martin was also an elementary school teacher in the United States for fifteen years, before shifting focus and efforts to Teaching English as a Foreign Language for the past 32 years. She traveled to Siedlce from a Global Volunteers project in Hungary, by way of a visit to Croatian cousins.

Audrey —Has also traveled over her lifetime, from her Liverpool birthplace to Wales and then to Canada as a 17-year-old. She’s been a private secretary, a full-time at-home mother and homemaker, and then a physiotherapist for special needs children, which she absolutely loved.

And then, introductions over, everyone went off to bed or, in Jim’s words, “. . . to be horizontal.”

Poland Sponsors Invest in Learning

2010-02-25T16:42:00.004+01:00

Through the generosity of Global Volunteers' Poland classroom sponsors, the students of a small village elementary school are enjoying field trips, new teaching materials, school supplies and books to learn English this school year. We're so grateful for sponsors' commitment to ensure that the students have resources for their intellectual and social development, and that their most important growth years are successful!

The first semester has just ended, and the students are beginning the second one. The eight students of Grade 1 will continue to learn the letters of the alphabet and numbers up to 100 (in English, of course!). They will also practice their penmanship, reading, adding and subtracting. The 19 second grade students are "branching out" with their English lessons; telling time, days of the week, months of the year and seasons. Grade 3 has 12 students, and they're finishing the first level of their education while becoming very involved in school life -- with dance, music and special celebrations. The five girls and five boys in Grade 4 are developing interests in nature, and greatly enjoy field trips to the forest. Meanwhile, the 17 fifth grade students had the highest average grade in the first semester in the entire Cisie school! They're really looking forward to working with the next team of Global Volunteers! They are planning to prepare a play for their colleagues from Grades 1-3 soon.

The students of Grade 6 are preoccupied with preparations for the National Examination Board competence exam which will enable them to graduate and move on to secondary school. They understand how important English is for their futures, and truly value the times they have to learn from Global Volunteers' native speakers.

We have exciting upcoming plans for the classrooms as well: In March, we'll begin to set up a brand new English language lab with audio equipment, desks, chairs, white board, bookcases and bookshelves purchased with sponsors' funds.

All of this is made possible with assistance from Global Volunteers, and the students and teachers are very grateful. We look forward to many more volunteers to work with us in 2010 and beyond. Please learn more about our programs here:

http://www.globalvolunteers.org/poland/default.asp

Sincerely,

Dorota Wierzbicka
Poland Country Manager

Millennium Development Goals Achieved (September 27-October 16, 2009)

2009-10-18T22:52:00.012+02:00

Twelve volunteers taught for five hours a day. 800 hours of the English language instruction were provided to 190 students. 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, the center for disabled adults "Caritas" and the after school shelter were impacted. The volunteers also conducted classes for 12 emloyees of the county government, 2 local teachers, as well as 6 other adult community members.

October 16, 2009

2009-10-18T22:46:00.005+02:00

By Dennis

As Pat, Kathryn, Betty, Perry, Mary Ann, Ellen, Eddie and Dennis prepared for another routine day of teaching and tutoring they were treated to a breakfast featuring eggs and ham. It was not routine as everyone knew that it would end with final goodbyes. Goodbyes that we were not looking forward to. Yes, there were treats and smiles, but there were also many teary eyes. Our evening was capped off with a goodbye dinner with the deputy governor, volunteers, other community members and at least three adults who benefited from our efforts. Of course there was the packing for an early morning departure. Oh, and there was that final journal and thought for the day. Tomorrow we leave and go our separate ways with many great memories. Last but not least – have a good and safe journey.

Thought for the Day (from Dennis): Mother Teresa..."We may not do great things in this world, but we can do small things with great love.