From
“Castaway to Leader”
4-H
in a Polish teen's own words
by Bogdan Staszewski,
Polish 4-H member
In 1992, my family's personal situation made me have to give up school. I felt a strong need to fill in the gaps in my education and at that time the Agricultural Extension Center in Rodom, the province I live in, was organizing in the neighboring gmina (county) a Young Farmers' Professional Preparation Course. It was designed for "castaways" such as me, what you call "dropouts" in the U.S.
We created a group with a broad curriculum but we wanted more than just doing the course and getting the paper that said we had done it. We started to meet after class. Somebody knew how to repair his groupmate's tractor, somebody gave a hand and painted a fence. We realized we were all friends - a group of people to help each other always. Then we heard that what we were doing was like American 4-H!
The Extension Center organized a meeting with Mr. John Ewart, an Extension person from Indiana. He helped us see that we could support and guide younger members by being a 4-H club. Since we all had siblings, we decided to start a club. We learned that we could obtain firsthand experience and knowledge at the source – in the U.S.A.! But first we had to pass the screening process. I was one of two persons selected from my region to be part of the 4-H youth exchange program in the U.S.
In June 1995, the Polish 4-H Foundation held a meeting in Warsaw for the 20 4-H'ers who were going to America, our chaperones and our parents. We flew from Okecie Airport that day. For many of us, it was our first time in an airplane, our first contact with foreign people and our first trip abroad.
We were met at the Detroit airport by Michigan 4-H representatives. After some rest and a visit to Hamtramck, we were taken to Midland. American families were waiting there for us, their "adoptive children." 4-H is a big family! I was anxious to meet my family. They were Mr. And Mrs. Frank Rexmer from Linwood, and they greeted me as if I was their long, lost son. Their daughter, Ann, was my 4-H host.
I was surprised and pleased to watch American people. They all showed the attitude of genuine friendliness. There seems to be great care given to the environment. Americans also seem to care very much for their historical monuments.
During my stay, I was able to see and compare American farms and a lumber mill. I also was acquainted with work conditions on a farm and in a household similar to that of my own parents. The differences are huge.
The Rezmers took me to the Great Lakes, which taken together, are bigger than our Baltic Sea. I spent with them the best vacation of my life. I also had meetings with 4-H clubs that allowed me to understand the idea of 4-H better. By taking part in 4-H, we can change a lot in our environment. We can encourage young people to take an active part in the life of their communities. That is why, after my return to Poland, I have become more involved in 4-H.
I want to show young people from my neighborhood how much one can give to others and life in the new reality of a transformed Poland.
I think 4-H has a great future in Poland. There is a lot to do! The Polish 4-H Foundation organized a series of training seminars. The first one was in Cracow, led by American educators. Their instructions helped us in our club work. As a result of the Cracow meeting, we initiated the All-Poland 4-H Junior Leaders' Club. I am very interested in continuing active contact with 4-H even now that I am 19. I want to help my successors.