The project “Scout Africa” is a unique initiative aimed at preserving Polish heritage in Southern and Eastern Africa and promoting awareness of Polish communities that found shelter on this continent during World War II. Out of over 37,000 Polish civilians who left the USSR, around 20,000 settled in countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika (now Tanzania), and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe and Zambia). These settlements teemed with life, schools, scouting organizations, and local economies developed.

For the past seven years, the project has been carried out under the wings of Fundacja20 and with the support of the POLONIKA National Institute of Polish Cultural Heritage Abroad. Volunteers not only document and digitize archives related to Poles in Africa but also work to preserve memorial sites, including cemeteries, monuments, and other traces of Polish presence. The project combines education with action, featuring various lectures and cross-cultural cooperation is developed.

Due to this year’s expedition over 1,000 pages of documents from the archives in Zimbabwe have been digitalized and Polish memorial sites in the region are taken care of. The project presents Africa in a whole new light – as a place with a rich history.

Natalia Mika, an active instructor of Polish Girl Guides and Boy Scouts Organization, responsible for social media in the project ”Scout Africa” and Paweł Gniado, a teacher and entrepreneur, one of the organizers of the project ”Scout Africa” will talk about their travels and undertakings.

Date: December 12th, 6:00 p.m.

Venue: the Sybir Memorial Museum

Regular ticket: 15 PLN

Reduced ticket: 10 PLN

Tickets are available at the Museum ticket office and on its website. Number of places is limited.

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