Poland, Kiribati

Poland is one of four villages on the island of Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati.[1] The village was named by Emmanuel Rougier after the birth country of his Polish plantation manager and engineer Stanisław Pełczyński, who aided the villagers. He solved the problem of effectively watering palm trees during the dry season by suggesting a modified irrigation system, then helping to build it, and teaching how to use it.

Location of Poland on Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati

The village was featured in one of the promotional videos for the 2013 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Warsaw, Poland.[2]

Location

Poland is located on the westernmost part of the island, at geographic coordinates: 1°51′52″N 157°33′07″W.

Demographics

At the time of the 2010 census, the population is 441 people.[3]

Name

The village was named in honour of a Pole whose name was Stanisław (Stanislaus) Pełczyński. Having arrived with an American merchant vessel that was plying the copra trade at a time, when the local inhabitants were having difficulties irrigating their palm tree plantations, Stanisław helped them solve the problem. Accordingly, the village was renamed to its present-day name in his honor. Also, a church was built there and dedicated under the auspices of Saint Stanislaus, and a bay in the lagoon was named Saint Stanislaus Bay.

Education

There is a primary school with three main teachers and 45 students.

References
  1. "20. Kiritimati" (PDF). Office of Te Beretitent - Republic of Kiribati Island Report Series. 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  2. Lee, Caitlin (31 January 2014). "Review of video - I CARE FOR POLAND". Washington University Political Review. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  3. Report on the Kiribati 2010 Census of Population and Housing. Vol 1: Basic Information and Tables. Part B: Personal (Population) Tables. Table 3: Population by Village, Sex and Age Group - 2010. S. 50.

Sources
  • R. Antoszewski: "Pacyficzna Polska" (English: Pacific Poland), Kurioza naukowe/Scientific curiosities, ISSN 1176-7545; year VI; No 1033. April 2005, v.55. On the web: 2005-05-29. Titirangi, Auckland, Nowa Zelandia. Link accessed on 2007-10-04. (in Polish)
  • Wojciech Dąbrowski: "Od Kiribati do Nauru" (Polish: From Kiribati to Nauru). Link accessed on 2007-10-04. (in Polish)

The 5/6 class of the Poland Primary School and the head teacher at Poland Primary School.

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