Published : 2026-01-08

Janina Bartkiewicz (1912-1975) and Her Work with People with Leprosy in Uganda in 1965-1975

Abstract

The article is devoted to Janina Bartkiewicz (1912-1975) and her work in leprosy treatment facilities run by Dr. Wanda Błeńska (1911-2014) from 1965 to 1975. It describes Bartkiewicz’s departure to Uganda, which resulted from her long-standing friendship with Błeńska. The process of acquiring medical, linguistic and technical skills necessary for work in Africa is also presented. The article further describes Bartkiewicz’s achievements in the fields of prosthetics, orthopaedics and physiotherapy during her ten-year stay in Uganda. It also takes up the topic of cooperation between Bartkiewicz and Błeńska for the smooth functioning of leper colonies. The article is based on archival materials stored in the Archives of Modern Records, the Museum of the Scouting Movement, the Archives of the Polish Episcopal Commission for Missions and the Archives and Pomeranian Museum of Polish Home Army and the Polish Women’s Military Service. The archival materials are supplemented by letters written by Bartkiewicz from Africa to her friends in Poland, as well as accounts and biographical studies.

Keywords:

Janina Bartkiewicz, Wanda Błeńska, Uganda, Buluba, leprosy, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, prosthetics



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Studia Polonijne · ISSN 0137-5210 | eISSN 2544-526X | DOI: 10.18290/sp
© Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II

Articles are licensed under a Creative Commons Uznanie autorstwa – Użycie niekomercyjne – Bez utworów zależnych 4.0 Międzynarodowe (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)