I once spoke to an elderly Polish man who had been one of the orphans. I asked him what he remembered of his arrival at Pahiatua. He said: 'A little NZ girl kissed me and gave me flowers'. He said her remembered it as if it was yesterday. Interestingly, it was expected that the children would return to Poland after the war. They received their education in Polish but after a while it was realised that this would never happen and the children went into the NZ public education system. I live near Pahiatua and there are many local people with Polish names who are 2nd and 3rd generation descendants of those orphans.
seeing this video and well being at the parade that day was the best thing of my life so far and seeing buildings that i walk past every day though also seeing my schools red uniform is cool.i'm not in the clip but i was there.
My great aunt, Bet Houlihan, and uncle, Jack Houlihan, who resided in Christchurch, where I grew up - I now live in Florida, adopted a young Polish boy named Tony who I believe also became a hairdresser and married and remained living in Christchurch. I remember meeting him several times when my mother, still alive at 93 in 2021, would take us to visit her aunt and uncle in the 1950s and 60s. I never knew the story of these Polish children and I very much appreciate these films. Thank you very much.
Having known Stefania, one of these amazing children personally, when she was an adult, made me even more aware of the perils these children had been through. Stefania Mantrious, married a fellow Polish child survivor called Leon Sondej (Not sure of the correct spellings) Stefania was a teacher at Mana College at one stage, and was living in my Grandmother Olson’s house in Northland Wellington). I wonder if Stefania, or any of her relations were in this video ???
I lived in pahiatua and I had meet a man who lived at the back of me who was bought here after the Holocaust was a beautiful and amazing man wish I had remembered his name but I will never forget the stories 😢😢 so sad my heart go out to u all I'm glad you are all safe
There will be a 75th anniversary celebration in Pahiatua on 1st November this year. Previous re-unions have been inspiring and very moving; I'm sure it will be the same in a couple of weeks for the 75 year celebration. We look forward to welcoming back our "Polish Children".
Beautifully made film - a tribute to the special bonds forged during WW2 between Poland and New Zealand through the adoption of the Polish Children in their time of need.
Thank you for this Holocaust Refugee Odyssey story - In 1939, beginning of WWII, when Germany and Sovietunion invaded Poland thousands of children along with their parents were arested and deported from Poland to the Sovietunion. The Prisoners of War, about forty thousand polish high ranking officers were brutally murdered by Sovietunion secret service in Katyn. Many children became orphans, some were lost in deportations. Hungry, sick, frightened, they often wandered alone. During Hitler-Stalin divorce proceedings Germany invaded Sovietunion in June 1941. The Polish Exile Government in England negotiated the agreement with Stalin to build the Polish Army in Sovietunion. Hundreds of thousands polish soldiers were released from Sovietunion concentration camps to build this army. More as sixty thousands polish civilians also accompanied General Anders Polish Army to get out of the Sovietunion and were saved. At that time, the care of orphans was also organized - among the helpers was the famous pre-war polish actress Hanka Ordonówna, who was also among the deportees. The full history can be found in her book 'Exiled Children'. The first children were evacuated from the Sovietunion to Iran in the spring and summer of 1942. From the Soviet Union death camps to Iran, from there to India, the Middle East, South Africa, New Zealand and Mexico. Nota Bene, from humanity stand point, without those saved children General Anders Polish Army battle of the Monte Cassino in Italy will be only partial victory.
I used to sail to New Zealand in the Merchant Navy back in the 50s.I had a Polish girlfriend in Wellington, who I loved dearly we were together for couple of years but the distance and the time apart, killed romance. I often wonder about her life. Her name is Stefania Krawczyxzyn
Perhaps you could contact the Polish Embassy in Wellington: Address: 142-144 Featherston St, Wellington, 6011 NZ. Phone: +644-499 7844. Maybe they could help
What a fantastic documentary. I wish I had been able to make the reunion on behalf of my family (Sarnecki's) It makes me feel so proud to be part of this story.
When in elementary school in 1944-45 we were given names of orphans to send care packages to. The little girls name that we corresponded with as I remember was Jadwiga Prokidancryk. Could you tell me if you have a record of any such name and would she still be living after all these years. Herman Nagle -nagleh@aol.com Thanks for your help.
I once spoke to an elderly Polish man who had been one of the orphans. I asked him what he remembered of his arrival at Pahiatua. He said: 'A little NZ girl kissed me and gave me flowers'. He said her remembered it as if it was yesterday. Interestingly, it was expected that the children would return to Poland after the war. They received their education in Polish but after a while it was realised that this would never happen and the children went into the NZ public education system. I live near Pahiatua and there are many local people with Polish names who are 2nd and 3rd generation descendants of those orphans.
Thank you New Zealand. You are more than welcome to visit Poland.
seeing this video and well being at the parade that day was the best thing of my life so far and seeing buildings that i walk past every day though also seeing my schools red uniform is cool.i'm not in the clip but i was there.
Thank you New Zealand. We ll never forget.
My great aunt, Bet Houlihan, and uncle, Jack Houlihan, who resided in Christchurch, where I grew up - I now live in Florida, adopted a young Polish boy named Tony who I believe also became a hairdresser and married and remained living in Christchurch. I remember meeting him several times when my mother, still alive at 93 in 2021, would take us to visit her aunt and uncle in the 1950s and 60s. I never knew the story of these Polish children and I very much appreciate these films. Thank you very much.
New Zealand , thank you from the bottom om my heart !!
Delighted to find this video. I was born in Pahiatua but hadn’t heard about this history. It’s an inspiring Kiwi Welcome. I send hugs to these folks.
Having known Stefania, one of these amazing children personally, when she was an adult, made me even more aware of the perils these children had been through. Stefania Mantrious, married a fellow Polish child survivor called Leon Sondej (Not sure of the correct spellings) Stefania was a teacher at Mana College at one stage, and was living in my Grandmother Olson’s house in Northland Wellington). I wonder if Stefania, or any of her relations were in this video ???
I lived in pahiatua and I had meet a man who lived at the back of me who was bought here after the Holocaust was a beautiful and amazing man wish I had remembered his name but I will never forget the stories 😢😢 so sad my heart go out to u all I'm glad you are all safe
This reminded me of a polish thing i did last year in pahiatua
There will be a 75th anniversary celebration in Pahiatua on 1st November this year. Previous re-unions have been inspiring and very moving; I'm sure it will be the same in a couple of weeks for the 75 year celebration. We look forward to welcoming back our "Polish Children".
thank you new eland for your generosity that never will be forget thanks
This is where my Dad was - RIP Bolek Zygadlo
Beautifully made film - a tribute to the special bonds forged during WW2 between Poland and New Zealand through the adoption of the Polish Children in their time of need.
Thank you for this Holocaust Refugee Odyssey story - In 1939, beginning of WWII, when Germany and Sovietunion invaded Poland thousands of children along with their parents were arested and deported from Poland to the Sovietunion. The Prisoners of War, about forty thousand polish high ranking officers were brutally murdered by Sovietunion secret service in Katyn. Many children became orphans, some were lost in deportations. Hungry, sick, frightened, they often wandered alone. During Hitler-Stalin divorce proceedings Germany invaded Sovietunion in June 1941. The Polish Exile Government in England negotiated the agreement with Stalin to build the Polish Army in Sovietunion. Hundreds of thousands polish soldiers were released from Sovietunion concentration camps to build this army. More as sixty thousands polish civilians also accompanied General Anders Polish Army to get out of the Sovietunion and were saved. At that time, the care of orphans was also organized - among the helpers was the famous pre-war polish actress Hanka Ordonówna, who was also among the deportees. The full history can be found in her book 'Exiled Children'. The first children were evacuated from the Sovietunion to Iran in the spring and summer of 1942. From the Soviet Union death camps to Iran, from there to India, the Middle East, South Africa, New Zealand and Mexico. Nota Bene, from humanity stand point, without those saved children General Anders Polish Army battle of the Monte Cassino in Italy will be only partial victory.
And the fact that New Zealand said "no" to the Soviet Union when they demanded the children be sent back.
Very bitter sweet... my heart aches for those children and cries tears for what they went through and for the loss of their parents and siblings. 😪
I used to sail to New Zealand in the Merchant Navy back in the 50s.I had a Polish girlfriend in Wellington, who I loved dearly we were together for couple of years but the distance and the time apart, killed romance. I often wonder about her life. Her name is Stefania Krawczyxzyn
Perhaps you could contact the Polish Embassy in Wellington: Address: 142-144 Featherston St, Wellington, 6011
NZ. Phone: +644-499 7844. Maybe they could help
@Poire Tartin Yes please
.
What a fantastic documentary. I wish I had been able to make the reunion on behalf of my family (Sarnecki's) It makes me feel so proud to be part of this story.
THANK YOU New Zealand :))
Best Regards.
Fantastic story, thank you New Zealand!
Well done NZ for accepting them and giving them a life....from Australia
Fantastyczny dokument. Pozdrawiam :)
Dziwne że w nieszczęściu wojny może tyle dobra powstać i solidarności ludzkiej
When in elementary school in 1944-45 we were given names of orphans to send care packages to. The little girls name that we corresponded with as I remember was Jadwiga Prokidancryk. Could you tell me if you have a record of any such name and would she still be living after all these years. Herman Nagle -nagleh@aol.com Thanks for your help.