The Young Poles’ Club is a Polish diaspora initiative launched by Marta Mackiewicz and Magdalena Walczak. Both have lived and worked in Chile for years, raising their children in this country.
The Polish Embassy in Santiago de Chile supports the Young Poles’ Club. It has assumed patronage over its activities and will solicit support for the Polish mothers’ initiative in the future.
“I cannot image my children not being able to speak Polish. Most importantly because I cannot deny them the possibility of interacting with their family that lives in Poland. A grandson or granddaughter should be able to communicate with their grandparents,” says Marta Mackiewicz. “Besides, fluency in Polish opens up educational options in Poland and elsewhere. Our country is part of the European Union, its borders are open. This is something we should also keep in mind,” she adds. In her view, neither the fact that her husband speaks Spanish nor that there is no Polish school can serve as a reason why children from mixed marriages should not speak Polish.
“When a child just beginning to speak points to a thing and without our help names it in Polish, it’s a moment our heart misses a beat and we want to jump up with joy. “I will never understand mothers who voluntarily deprive themselves of this awesome pleasure,” explains Marta Mackiewicz. “I realise that it is not easy to teach a language to a child on your own. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t. This is why we came up with the idea to open a kids’ club where they could be motivated to speak by playing with each other. You can kick a ball in Polish, too,” she adds.
The Young Poles’ Club groups children three years of age and younger (born in 2010-2013). Meetings are held once a week, most often on Sundays at 5.00 p.m. No Spanish is spoken during the meetings. Mums sing Polish songs, organise games, read children’s poems and play with them.
“Let me emphasize that this is not a school. There is no Polish language teacher among us with such background. If there are parents of older children who are determined to teach Polish to their children, they are more than welcome to join our club. Once they do, they will have to put in a consistent effort,” says Marta Mackiewicz.
To find out more about the club and its activities, visit its website: www.klubpolaka.cl
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs