A summer of transformation
2025 was a truly memorable summer for ten teenage girls who took up the challenge to travel to Poland for ten days of volunteering and other enriching activities. The trip appealed to Amelia straight away. ‘I was excited by the idea of visiting a new country and experiencing a new culture,’ she says
The girls had a packed programme, starting in the city of Poznan in the western part of Poland. Day one, and the girls were making a hundred and fifty sandwiches to take to the station, where homeless people come to collect food once a week. This was an eye-opener for Therese who, seeing others struggling, realised just how privileged she is.
The group also spent three days helping at a centre run by an order of nuns who look after the homeless. The girls were set to work sorting and organising donated items: shoes, clothes, toiletries and cleaning products. Out-of-date food donated by supermarkets had to be sorted too, selecting the items which could still be used to feed a family.
Chopping vegetables
Preparing vegetables for the soup is a regular task at the centre. ‘We chopped crates and crates of vegetables!’ recalls Amelia. The girls also helped with many of the other small but important jobs needed to keep the project running smoothly. The dedication of the Albertine sisters made an impression on the girls. ‘The sisters had an incredible work ethic and sense of humour,’ says Amelia. ‘They were such an inspiration.’
One of the youth leaders accompanying the girls says, ‘It was beautiful to see the transformation in the girls. They moved from the usual teenage mode of trying to be cool and comparing themselves to each other, to forgetting about themselves when they saw people in obvious hardship and the important work that there was to be done.’
One afternoon the girls visited a residential home for the elderly, for whom they prepared some entertainment. And there were also times for the group to walk around the town and discover new things for themselves.
Krakow and Auschwitz
Day seven of the trip saw the group travelling to Krakow, with a 5-hour stop in Wroclaw, where they were able to admire the beauty of yet another city known for its charming historic centre with colourful buildings and over 100 bridges spanning the River Oder. Formerly the German city of Breslau, it is now a lively student city with a strong cultural scene, industrial base, and a famous colony of small dwarf statues scattered throughout its streets.
‘Sombre, moving and deeply thought-provoking’ were the words one girl used to describe their visit to Auschwitz. This was in complete contrast to the colour and vibrancy of Krakow. ‘Walking through the place where such unimaginable suffering had taken place was a privilege,’ says Amelia. ‘It forced us to reflect on the importance of remembering history so that this is never repeated.’
Human dignity
Working with the homeless and visiting the site of the former concentration camp helped the girls to reflect on the dignity of every human being. Their visit to Poland coincided with the 81st anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising, which helped them to appreciate the bravery and perseverance of the Polish people.
Their days in Poland made a deep impression on the girls. ‘A wonderful trip, full of opportunities’, says Isa. ‘I made memories that I won’t forget and will cherish forever,’ says Paloma. Others valued the friendships they forged and the kindness and support of the leaders. There were many life lessons. Therese says that she learned to be resilient even when she was tired.
For these girls the summer project in Poland will surely be a significant milestone on their journey from teenagers to the valiant women the world needs.
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