Wanda Błeńska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Servant of GodWanda Błeńska |
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| Born | 30 October 1911 Poznań, Poland |
| Died | 27 November 2014 (aged 103) Poznań, Poland |
Wanda Błeńska (born October 30, 1911 – died November 27, 2014) was a brave Polish doctor. She was an expert in treating leprosy, a serious skin disease. Wanda was also a member of the Home Army, a secret group that fought during World War II. She was also a Catholic missionary. Dr. Błeńska helped turn a small hospital in Uganda into a famous place for treating leprosy.
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Wanda Błeńska's Early Life
Wanda Błeńska was born in Poznań, Poland. She went to high school in Toruń. In 1934, she finished her medical studies at the University of Poznań.
Working as a Doctor in Poland
From 1934 to 1936, Dr. Błeńska worked at a hospital in Toruń. Later, in 1939, she worked at the Marine Hospital in Gdynia.
Her Role in World War II
During World War II, Wanda Błeńska was a second lieutenant in the Home Army (Armia Krajowa). This was a secret Polish army that fought against the invaders. She was also a leader in the women's branch of the Home Army in Toruń. After the war, she led the city hospital in Toruń for a short time.
Studying Tropical Medicine
In 1946, Dr. Błeńska moved to Hannover. She took special courses there to learn about tropical medicine. In 1948, she studied even more at a famous institute in Liverpool. This training helped her prepare for her important work in Africa.
Helping People with Leprosy in Uganda
From 1951 to 1994, Dr. Błeńska worked at a leprosy treatment center. This center was in a village called Buluba, near Lake Victoria in Uganda. She was the main doctor there until 1983.
Building a Modern Hospital
When she first arrived, the center was small. It was run by Irish Franciscans, a religious group. But Dr. Błeńska helped it grow into a modern hospital. It had 100 beds and a special section for children. It also had places for testing diseases, homes for people with leprosy, and a church. Today, it is known as Buluba Hospital.
Training Caregivers
Besides treating patients, Dr. Błeńska also started training programs. She taught people how to care for those with leprosy. These people were called "Leprosy Assistants." She worked with other Polish doctors in Buluba, like Bohdan Kozłowski and Wanda Marczak-Malczewska. Because of her long and dedicated work, people called her the "Mother of Lepers."
Later Life and Recognition
In 1955, Wanda Błeńska achieved another amazing feat. She became the first woman to climb Vittorio Emanuele in the Ruwenzori mountains. In 1993, she returned to Poland and settled in Poznań.
In 2011, the President of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, gave her a very important award. It was called the Order of Polonia Restituta. This award honored her great service to Poland.
Steps Towards Beatification
In February 2020, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Poznań began a special process. They started the first steps to consider Wanda Błeńska for beatification. This is a step in the Catholic Church to recognize someone as a saint.
