From a Small Village

Raised in the countryside, knowing difficult work on a farm, the only girl among four brothers, with my feet firmly on the ground, open to the world, with love for people, with God in my heart I believed in human goodness in all circumstances. I graduated from primary school in 1965, high school four years later, and economic studies in 1973. I always wanted to be serious but not gloomy, active but not overbearing, I wanted to use my resources of wisdom for my family and friends and, as the years passed, accept the suffering I had experienced with humility and even sweetness. I am aware that my memories may contradict other people’s views. Youthful, unconditional love based on a traditional Catholic upbringing combined with the harsh Spartan African reality influenced my mature understanding of life, human relationships, repentance and humility.

The memoir “From a small village, a journey through Africa into the world” reads like a gripping adventure novel. Alicja’s experiences are amazing and adventurous – a girl from a small village who first becomes involved with a Nigerian man then copes well on her own in a distant, somewhat wild country. Her memories are also a large piece of Polish history and life in the Polish People’s Republic, as well as the history of Nigeria. The cultural differences between our countries described are fascinating, as well as how the world has changed – official matters related to obtaining a passport and visa in a communist country, communication through unreliable letters and telegrams. Alicja also experiences blood-curdling adventures, in her memoirs she mentions many attacks and other dangerous situations that could have resulted in her death or the death of someone from her family or friends.