Life / Orphanages in Poland [82]

[Moved from]: Toys for Tots (US Marine program) - a Poland's orphanage / children's home that is need of TOYS

I'm running the Marine Corps Toys for Tots for the Marines here at the US Embassy in Warsaw.

I'm trying to identify a orphanage or children's home that is need of TOYS. While I truly believe everyone needs a little Christmas joy, the donations we receive and are expected to receive are going to be that of TOYS! So I need a younger crowd, as we won't get much if anything that is geared towards teenagers.

Can anyone point me in the right direction or provide contacts for someone who will be in need this Christmas?

Thank you

Food / Stuffed Polish peppers & stuffed mushrooms - recipes [22]

I make mine with a Mexican flare! I use mince meat (ground beef) with a packet of taco season. I make the rice with tomatoes, chilis, and minced red and green peppers, and corn and then I had some taco season and a dash or two of chili powder (like beef chili powder not the pepper kind). I layer it in the pepper meat, rice, cheese until the top and then I sprinkle some black olives and cheese and bake.

My mom use to make it with more of an italian base, tomato sauce and onions but I like spicy and mexican more :0)

Life / BEFORE Poland.. what did you do then and what are your plans now? [29]


BS in Accountancy now finishing my MBA this spring!!!


Washington State (born and bred...)
After I married the hub,
29 Palms, California
Jacksonville, Florida
San Diego California
Lusaka, Zambia (Africa)...

Going back to San Diego after Warsaw!


Bean counter


My husband is one of Uncle Sammy's Misguided Children... :0)


Tempting, seriously..... but San Diego is far more fun.


No

Life / Bilingual kids in Polish schools [30]

My son was a late talker. He's now a little over 4 and attends an English speaking school and we speak English at home. However he knows so much Polish! His school is 25% international students and the rest are Polish so his friends all speak to him in Polish during play etc. The instruction is in English, but even during Christmas plays and so forth they do both English and Polish songs/skits. So while he is not bilingual, he's definitely capable of conversing and interacting with his friends. We've only been here a tad bit over three months and I am just amazed at how quickly he picked it up.

Personally, kids don't need to hold conversations to get their point across. Especially at your son's age. When we first arrived at Poland we would take him to the indoor play areas at some of the malls. He never had a problem playing.

I'd see if he's having more issues with being in school(preschool) and not at home than I would be about his language barriers right now. Maybe try some one on one play dates for him. My son is an only child and he benefits heavily from play dates. Especially before he started school.

Life / Having a baby in Poland as a US citizen [9]


I'm curious how much experience you have personally with parents who come on this board or perhaps Poland in general just to birth their foreign children in Poland for citizenship? Seems like quite a move to come push out a child on Polish land to gain citizenship!? Quite the odd first order of business to handle... unless I'm missing something.

USMomma - I'll send you a PM with some information as soon as I get my son back to bed. We're currently TTC our second child and just recently was seeking a midwife for a home birth who also spoke English. I've found a great midwife who does speak English. However we're in Warsaw and that may be the reason I've been so lucky. Will you have family here in Poland already that you are joining? Are you already pregnant or hoping to conceive? We're also an American family living here in Poland although because of my husbands job.

Real Estate / Neighbourhoods in Warsaw - how safe? [23]


Yes, traffic can be a pain. Not the worst I've seen/experienced but definitely a good share of it.

Real Estate / Neighbourhoods in Warsaw - how safe? [23]

I live in Mokotow right in the general area you are talking about.

I feel safe. I walk to deli/store on Belska almost daily and after taking the bus with my son in the morning I walk the 2 miles home. I am never bothered, nor do I feel unsafe. I feel safer here (and perhaps I should be more cautious as a general sense) than I did back in the States.

I have no qualms about this area. While still very new to the area I'm very happy with the choice. I'm so close to so much. I get fresh produce daily just down the street and if I am in the mood I can go shopping at Galleria Mokotow.

Work / Are there any Americans teachers left in Poland? [38]

So as an American will I have any luck landing a job in the accounting field? Or am I limited to teaching english?

I am finishing up my MBA with specialization in accountancy but my undergrad is in Accounting.

Life / Orphanages in Poland [82]

We'd love to adopt while there but our time is short and as I experienced here. I feel I can do more and help more when I'm not focused on one child. I'm not sure how great the need may be in Poland compared to what I've experienced here, but I am looking forward to the opportunity to help out where ever I can.

A couple has just arrived here that came from Krakow and they adopted a sister sibling group. Such beautiful girls!