A delegation of Rotary International from the New Hampshire district in the USA spent several days in April (20-24) in Warsaw. Among 6 members of the delegation was Ms Kimbrley Masucci, CEO of the New Hampshire YMCA. Her presence was a symbolic return of YMCA USA to Poland, the organization that helped tremendously to build a very strong national movement 100 years ago. Kimberley extended her stay in Poland till 4th May, and during those days she received solid knowledge about the reality in which the YMCA in Poland is being revived.
The guests, some of whom visited Europe for the first time, were very interested in Poland, Warsaw, the achievements, and problems of the capital’s inhabitants. They were especially interested in projects that involve Polish and Ukrainian children and their families.
Showing these projects in action was the objective of YMCA Europe too. The importance of this event was confirmed by the presence of Secretary General, Juan Simoes Iglesias, who specially flew from Madrid to Warsaw to take part in the visit program.
In Warsaw, the hosts and organizer of the visit was YMCA Europe Mission in Poland (with its key partner the Monsters Club) and Rotary Club – Fryderyk Chopin. For YMCA Europe, it was crucial to present the places and methods of running Polish-Ukrainian activities.
The first place the American guest visited was the club “Aligatores” – one of six places in Warsaw where after-school integration programme is run. Then the guest and YMCA Europe Mission key leaders participated in a working session combined with presentations at the Primary School No. 21. This point of the programme was achieved thanks to the kindness and openness of the head of the school. The school also runs a Polish-Ukrainian integration program, and that is important for networking of future YMCA in Warsaw.
The final and most important meeting took place at the Karuzella- Education and Play Center where gathered the guests, children who attend the programme run by Monsters Club, their portents and programme leaders. The kids showed some of their sport skills, and then, over a small refreshment, there was an opportunity for direct, informal conversations between the American guests and children and their parents.
Also, the representatives of Warsaw Rotary Club were present at this meeting. Limited space did not allow to invite all people involved in the YMCA Europe Mission in Warsaw, however, it was visible that YMCA Europe consequently foster the process of rebuilding YMCA in Poland through supporting relevant activities.
After Warsaw, the American delegation continued their trip and visited the projects supported by Rotary International in Zakopane, Kraków and Lublin. Kimberley, as a YMCA leader, extended her stay in Poland and visited Gdynia, another important place for YMCA Europe.
The YMCA Europe’s partner in this city is the foundation FLY. This organization, formed by former YMCA members, has the opinion of provider very valuable and very need activities to the community. Their work is based on a center, which is a significant difference from Warsaw. The way of governance and long experience at serving the community are a model for the future structure of YMCA in Poland.
After the meeting at FLY our guest visited an edifice, which was built thanks to the American resources as YMCA Centre. The purpose of this visit was to see the present condition of the property, what and whose activities are currently run there. A similar purpose was visiting a “forgotten” YMCA in Gdańsk, which was opened after World War II in a building purchased thanks to YMCA USA.
The visit of American colleagues, especially their member of with YMCA background was another serios step towards building YMCA in Poland. We believe that what happened 100 years ago may happen now.
