Otylia Gołda
Private Coeducational Middle and Secondary School in Zagórze
How I learned in secret during the occupation
When the Germans conquered Poland and took over administration of the country, education for young people was indefinitely stopped, especially since the army was living in our school. Knowing that education is the key to my future life, I tried to continue it any way I could.
My older sister had already finished middle school, so she was able to teach me for a while and gave me tips about further education.
But it did not last long, because the Germans started to deport our youth to Germany. My sister tried to get a job as soon as possible to stay with her family in Poland. When she got it, she did not stop taking care of my education and I was still studying following her instructions. I was reading Polish books, especially those by Sienkiewicz.
When the school finally opened and education resumed, I was in sixth grade.
But I did not benefit much from the classes; apart from math, science and the “Ster” textbook (which replaced Polish textbooks), there was nothing to do. So, I studied Polish history and geography at home to expand my knowledge and to learn things that would be needed in my future education.
The studying process was all the more important, because I saw how brutal and hateful the Germans were towards the Poles, my compatriots.
Today I am happy that we have regained our Homeland. I devote myself to studying, which is the goal of my life.