The question mark at the end of the title, "Economic conditions as the source of Korczak's pedagogy?", reflects my deliberations on the matter. Undoubtedly the severe economic situation in Poland at the time must have had bearings not only on the management of the orphanage, Dom Sierot but also on the design and construction of both, Dom Sierot and later, Nasz Dom in the Bielany district of Warsaw.
Of course, it was all a balancing act. Large sleeping halls were far from optimal for the children but Korczak understood it well and compensated by inventing many solutions that protected the privacy of his young charges and gave them some individual attention. Such best example is provided by the creation of "personal drawers" in the recreation hall where each child could keep his or her individual treasures. The clothing of the orphans is another example: varied outfits rather than uniforms served to help the children to mix rather than stand out on the street or in school.
Significantly, hiring of personnel and teachers was particularly economical; a minimum of salaried workers and compensation for others in the form of "room and board" ('Bursa") rather than money.
Finally, Korczak seemed to care about assuring the economy and stability of the food supply. The Summer camp, "Rożyczka" ("Little Rose") not only provided a welcome country experience for the city kids but supplied the orphanage with healthy homegrown food. Vegetables from "Rożyczka" were transported and stored in the attic of Dom Sierot on 92 Krochmalna.
14 104 members (The year 1914) of the society Pomoc dla Sierot were supporting the orphanage through membership fees and additional financial support.
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Significantly, the hiring of personnel and teachers was particularly economical; a minimum of salaried workers and compensation for others in the form of "room and board" ('bursa") rather than money. Here in the book Jak kochac dzieci, Korczak writes about the very first year at 92 Krochmalna. Running the entire orphanage with 100 children, just with 4 paid persons. |
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| The costs of electricity and coal in Dom Sierot during winter and summer as published in the children's newspaper W Sloncu in 1912. |
