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New Zealand's First Refugees: Pahiatua's Polish Children

Funds for the hostels

Funds for the hostels

Funds for running the hostel were provided mostly by the Government and partly by the working boys who paid for their board. Sister Alexandrowicz said that the New Zealand Government was very supportive of the project to establish hostels for the Polish children who had left the camp and were working or studying in Wellington. Prime Minister Peter Fraser stated that the Polish children must be brought up in a Polish atmosphere, and in accordance with the religious and cultural traditions of their homeland. Apparently, he even extracted a promise from his successor that the Polish children would be treated as well as during his term.

Sisters Alexandrowicz and Imelda took turns in running the hostel, and the boys were responsible for keeping it clean. In the evenings, Sister Alexandrowicz gave lessons to the boys in Polish language and history. Life was busy.

The Polish Boys' Hostel in Clyde Street, Island Bay, Wellington. It was opened on 6 May 1946 to house the first boys who left the Polish Children's Camp in Pahiatua to work or study in Wellington, and eventually integrate into New Zealand society

The Polish Boys' Hostel in Clyde Street, Island Bay, Wellington. It was opened on 6 May 1946 to house the first boys who left the Polish Children's Camp in Pahiatua to work or study in Wellington, and eventually integrate into New Zealand society