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COLONIA SANTA ROSA Sabina Puchalska
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During the Second World War thousands of Polish children and women, the surviving victims of the Soviet "gulag" (Chief Administration of Corrective Labour Camps), filled refugee camps and temporary settlements scattered all over the world. In recent years a lot has been written on this subject, but very little about the Colonia Santa Rosa camp for Polish people located in Guanajuato State, in the centre of Mexico. As early as 1942, the Mexican Government agreed to shelter 20 thousand Poles for the duration of the war. The agreement was signed on December 31, 1942 by Gen. Wladyslaw Sikorski during his visit in Mexico. At that time, the decision was made that transportation and room and board costs would be covered by the Ministry of Labour and Welfare of the Polish Government in London, by the Polish-American Congress and by various Catholic charity organizations. In two transports, 1464 Poles were brought to Mexico. Of that group, 264 were orphans aged from 5 to 17. The refugees were housed in an old hacienda, which was remodelled and renovated by the resourceful Poles to accommodate their needs. Colonia Santa Rosa was more than a shelter from the war to the homeless refugees. From the beginning, it was a centre of intensive cultural studies and educational activities, especially for children and young people. A renovated, beautiful old mill was transformed into a school building since there was enough room for an elementary school there. Its principal was Zygmunt Ejchorszt, a wonderful role model, teacher and organizer. For the students who finished elementary school, a college-preparatory high school was formed. Its principal was a Marian priest, Father Jozef Jarzebowski, a great patriot, spiritual leader and educator. Seven Felician nuns arrived from the United States and became a great support in educating children and young people. Two troops of boy scouts and girl guides were formed in July of 1943. Strong emphasis was put on cultural development, including theater and music concerts. In order to get acquainted with this hospitable and exotic country - Mexico, field trips were organized to many interesting and historic places. In spite of the language barrier, attempts were made to initiate contact and communication with the local population. Colonia Santa Rosa was occupied by Polish refugees for over three years. When the war was over, in accordance with the previous agreement closure of the camp occurred on December 31, 1946. That decision was a strong blow to the camp inhabitants who again were faced with the question - what next ? And again, thanks to the efforts of the devoted Polish-American Congress and especially to its President, Karol Rozmarek, the US State Department agreed to accept residents of Colonia Santa Rosa as immigrants to the United States. Those children who were fully orphaned were the first to leave. They were placed in American orphanages and educational institutions. Older girls were placed in private homes as domestic. With great pride and joy I can state that thanks to their hard work, these girls often went on to graduate with university diplomas and obtained advanced degrees. Examples of this are Stasia Synowiec and Anita Kozicka, who had both been deported to Soviet Russia with their families. The first became an actuarial specialist, the second earned a Master's degree in education. The rest of the Santa Rosa residents were able to leave Mexico in small groups. Thanks to the help and sponsorship of American Polonia, most of them eventually managed to live in peace and prosperity in their second homeland. The former inhabitants of Colonia Santa Rosa have remained in touch with one another. About 1962, an organization was formed uniting them under the name of POLES OF SANTA ROSA. Its initiator, a former teacher of the Gen. Wl. Sikorski School in Santa Rosa named Jan Stanclik, also became its first leader and is an active member until this day. On August 10-11, 1996 POLES OF SANTA ROSA celebrated in Chicago the 50th anniversary of closing of the Colonia Santa Rosa and of their arrival in the United States. As a former resident and teacher at the Santa Rosa's school, I considered it my duty to attend. Above all, I wanted to see one more time "my children" who, more than half a century ago, I had often brought in my arms to the orphanage from Soviet state farms. The main celebration took place in the beautiful "Star Light Inn" ballroom. Former inhabitants of Colonia Santa Rosa arrived there from all over the United States, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. Many came with their children and grandchildren (420 people altogether). The guests of honour were: the Mexican Consul General to the USA, two Mexican Catholic priests who are presently in charge of today's orphanage in Santa Rosa, a USA Federal Government representative, the Polish Ambassador to Mexico, the Polish Consul General of Chicago, the President of the Siberian Society of the USA, the Mother Superior of the Felician Sisters Order and a grandson of Karol Rozmarek, who has been so dedicated to Colonia Santa Rosa. Thanks to the efforts of the POLES OF SANTA ROSA, participants could see an exhibit of the Polish presence in Mexico which featured documents and photographs from the period. All participants had wonderful time which lasted to the early morning hours, listening to a great band and with food galore. Old residents of Colonia Santa Rosa often proved to surpass their offspring in dance. The next day, Sunday, there was an official mass at the Felician Sisters celebrated by the priest, a former Santa Rosa boy, who was assisted by the two Salesian priests from Mexico. After the mass was a luncheon for the smaller circle of former Santa Rosa residents and their families. Accompanied by the sounds of a Mexican folk band, old friends had an opportunity to remember old times, joys and sorrows. Are we going to see one another next year in the same numbers? We, not Americans of Polish descent, but POLES OF SANTA ROSA ! Translation: Stella Tobis
COLONIA SANTA ROSA
Last modified August 18, 2007 11:31 PM |
