Photo Gallery 4
Photo Gallery 4
Poland's farewell to the U.S. Peace Corps
ARRIVALS
Mr. Timothy Carroll, the first Peace Corps Country Director in
Poland, opens the swearing-in-ceremony of the second group of Volunteers back in 1992. The U.S. Ambassador at the time, H.E. Thomas Jr. (left), was on hand to give his full support to the new group.
DEPARTURES
Nine years later Mr. Carroll returns to give a valedictory speech. Next
to him are current U.S. Ambassador Mr. Christopher Hill (left) and Mr. Kevin
Baker (center), the last U.S. Peace Corps Director in Poland.
Poland V opening ceremony: Group V leader Mike Priller with PCV Heather Powers teacher trainer Elizabeth.
Did these two Volunteers at the swearing-in-ceremony nearly a decade ago have any idea of the immense changes they would witness? The Peace Corps was more successful in Poland than in all the other Central and East European countries.
The turnout for the Peace Corps' Farewell in Warsaw on June 8th was larger than expected. The atmosphere was moistened with tears and sprinkled with a little sadness and sentimentality, but it still managed to be joyful. It's not easy to say goodbye to firm friends, nor to pack up and go home without having mixed feelings. Yet, this what is expected of Peace Corps volunteers when their mission comes to an end. It can almost be compared with a gardener transplanting a flower while it's in full bloom and hoping it survives the shock.
In attendance were Mr. Christopher Hill, the American Ambassador, all of Poland's previous Peace Corps Country Directors, representatives from the Polish government and various ministries, some of the Peace Corps Volunteers from the final group and man from earlier ones, too.
As with every farewell were speeches, which not only expressed the goals achieved by Peace Corps Volunteers over the years but the sadness of leaving Poland and the friends made here.
Perhaps Mr. Charles Baquet III, the Acting Peace Corps Director expressed not only his feelings when he said, "I think that for many of us this is a sentimental occasion (..but..) I prefer to think about my many years in Poland." He added, "Studying English is like studying Polish. Language is like culture. I would like to think about how many Americans we have now in our country - close to 1,000 - who understand Poland almost better than anyone in America, to represent the culture and interests of Poland, as ambassadors of this country."
Timothy Carroll, the first Peace Corps Director in Poland, who helped to swear in the 1st group of Volunteers, injected some humor into the occasion to lighten the mood. In jest, he even bragged, "I'm proud that I was here early in those tough years and made it easier for you." This was followed by cheers and peals of laughter
The last fully fledged Peace Corps director, Robert McClendon, quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, who once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." He recalled that after World War II many dreamed of a free, fully independent and democratic Poland. One of these dreamers was an American of Polish heritage, Edward Piszek, who encouraged former US President George Bush to send Peace Corps Volunteers to Poland. He even donated one million dollars to support this dream.
Over
the past 11 years, Peace Corps Volunteers have taught English to more than 400,000
young Poles. Not only that, they have helped to educate tens of thousands of
Polish English teachers. They have worked in many national parks throughout
Poland in the environmental field, while others have worked in small towns as
administrative and small business advisors. Many started projects, which are
still active today, even though the inspirational Volunteers have gone home.
A total of 900 Peace Corps Volunteers served in Poland from start to finish,
mostly for two years, although many extended their stay to three. Almost from
the beginning and right to the very end, The World of English has been on the
scene to report the Peace Corps' progress, welcome the next new group of Volunteers
and inform its readers of all of their activities and projects.
It was Shakespeare who wrote, "Parting is such sweet sorrow", and so it is. Many public schools and language colleges all over Poland will miss the help and guidance of US Peace Corps Volunteers. The legacy they have left behind is the knowledge of the English language, a two-way cultural exchange and a window opened to understanding the world. The Peace Corps Volunteers are gone but are certainly never to be forgotten for their hard work and unending efforts to serve others.
NOTES: Correction: Peace Corps Directors in order of their service in Poland - 1) William Lovelace; 2) Tim Carroll; 3) Jon Darrah; 4) Robert McClendon; and 5) Kevin Baker (Acting).
Question: Can anyone identify the two unidentified volunteers in the third photo above? Please email: mail@friendsofpoland.org.
This article was provided by John Moore, Group VIII, from the "World of English" magazine. Check out their Web site for more articles on the Peace Corps in Poland. http://www.woe.edu.pl.