March 26, 2010 – 1:07am
A very late flight last night had 10:00am arrive a bit sooner than I was prepared for today…In fact, I don’t really recall the airport hotel and I was there just a few hours ago…Fortunately, I was able to ease into the day with a two (2) hour drive to Sieldce – outside of Warsaw, Poland.
My host / translator today Anna Marczuk…She works as a part-time assistant at SOS. Despite being incredibly nervous to meet me (mainly due to her shyness and lack of English practice), she was very gracious and informative.
Located just off the main highway, the Sieldce SOS Village has 70 children and 40 workers across 12 homes and administration buildings. One of the unique aspects here was that there are 3 ‘uncles’. Although a fairly new program, the uncles are male role models for the boys. Given that several of the boys come from households that can include domestic violence, it is important to show how to problem solve in more constructive ways as well as how to treat others with respect.
I must admit, I was very glad I had the time to recharge on our drive…The surprise that awaited me as a representative for WildTangent’s netbook donation program was incredible…and I mean truly incredible!
The pictures tell the story. I was the ‘Special Guest’ and treated to
the ‘Spring is Coming’ recital by the children of the village. Every one of them had a part – telling stories, reciting poetry, tossing paper flowers into the air, and yes, handing me a bouquet of tulips…Funny side story – given my last name, they thought I was from Holland, and so, the tulips were presented to me as a sincere gesture toward ‘my country’. In addition, the children made dozens of paper tulips to decorate the hall…Despite the Dutch ancestry, the theory of where I am from was quickly dashed upon saying ‘thank you’…turned out to not be a big deal …The U.S. was more ‘exotic’ to the children. 
I asked Anna what flower I would have received had they known I was from the U.S…she said someone from WildTangent would need to return again someday to find out…with or without netbooks…pretty good answer for someone who was nervous earlier and still practicing her English.
From SOS: The town of Siedlce is situated in the Masovian Voivodship in the east of Poland near the Belarusian border and about 90 kilometres from Warsaw, the country’s capital. Siedlce has more than 70,000 inhabitants and can easily be reached by train from Warsaw. SOS Children’s Village Siedlce was built on a four hectares site on the town’s outskirts and is surrounded by forests. The children attend the local schools and kindergartens, which greatly supports their integration into the local community. The official opening ceremony was held on 10 June 2000 in the presence of numerous friends, donors and other honorary guests.
SOS Children’s Village Siedlce consists of twelve family houses, a house for the village director, flats for the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave), a community building, an administration and service area, a workshop and a room for medical treatment. Additionally, a sports field and a playground were created. Up to 78 children find a new home in the cosy and welcoming family houses.
An SOS Youth Facility for up to 16 youngsters was established in 2006. An extension of the existing SOS Children’s Village by two additional family houses is scheduled to start in 2007.
