Tárogató, 1947-1948 (10. évfolyam, 3-10. szám)
1947-11-01 / 5. szám
TÁROGATÓ 15 From 1942, when the Committee began laying plans for receiving European children as soon as war conditions allowed, up to 1946, a total of £90,000 ($360,000) was raised by public subscription, with contributions arriving from many sections of the world. The Netherlands Government, whose children began to arrive early in 1945, before the liberation of Holland was complete, were able to meet expenses through sterling funds held in Britain. This scheme continued until October, 1946, when it came to an end because the Dutch Government’s sterling funds in London ran out. Last summer the French and Czechoslovak authorities asked the Committee to arrange for the reception of children from those countries, even though their Governments were,not able to pay for the quarantine expenses. The Committee decided that it could not refuse the request; the children were brought over, and the Committee incurred considerable debt, which it has yet to liquidate. In selecting suitable homes for the children, the Committee writes to the Mayor of a given town in Britain asking whether the community would be interested in offering hospitality. If the reply is affirmative, the Mayor sets up a committee (of which there are now 200) of local citizens whose duty it is to select those homes which are most suitable, and to be responsible for the children while they are in residence. The children are divided into groups of ten; an adult accompanies each group from its own country, and keeps her charges under benevolent supervision throughout their stay. In general, the children visit prosperous working people, the local committee doing what it can to see that a child is received at a home fairly similar to that from which it came. The purpose of the project is to remove the children from scenes of hardship and distress, and to receive them as members of the family in homes where affectionate care, rest, and good nourishment will restore them physically and emotionally. Strictly rationed though Britain is, her fare is abundant by standards in the homes of many of these young war victims. A month in the quarantine camp and two months with a family in Britain have, in the past few years meant much to thousands of young Europeans. Nor have the benefits been one-sided. The hosts have become quickly attached to their guests, and firm friendships have sprung up during the visits. MARY’S GOOD DEED By Sylvia P. Irwin Mary was a curly-haired little girl who was lucky enough to have two brothers and one baby sister. Her big brothers, John and Peter, were Boy Scouts, who tried to do at least one good deed every day. Each morning during the holidays they went out to see what they could do to help other people. One morning before they set off, Mary said hopefully, “Please let me come with you. I want to do a good deed, too.” “Oh, you are too small, Mary,” replied John. “Wait till you are as big as we are, and then you can do all the good deeds you wish.” Mary was only five years old, but she thought she was big enough to go with John and Peter. When they had gone she went slowly back to play with her dollies, feeling rather sad because she was only a little girl. But then she heard Mummy calling, “Mary, will you look after the baby while I hang the washing out,” and while playing with her baby sister Mary forgot to wish she was grown up. Jean was such a dear little thing with her two teeth and tiny hands and feet. When John and Dick came home they were looking very pleased with themselves and very important. “I carried an old lady’s shopping bag all the way up the hill. It was so heavy she couldn’t carry it herself,” reported John. “And I took Mrs. Brown’s dog for a run,” added Peter. “She has been too busy to take him out.” Mummy smiled. “Those were both very good deeds,” she said. “But Mary has been doing kind deeds all day. She looked after baby Jean while I was busy working, and has kept her quiet all day. Although Mary is only a little girl, I think her good deed was the best of all.” When she heard this, Mary’s
