Mr
Daniel Okrucinski, 40, who has lived in Singapore with his
wife and three sons since 1991, said voting was important
to them.
"Even though we're far away, we still
want to influence what goes on in Poland," said the general
manager of a marine engineering company.
The Okrucinskis are one of about 70 Polish
families living here.
Many of the men were sent here by their companies which are
in the electronics, trade and marine and shipbuilding sectors.
They have resided in Singapore for from two to 20 years.
Mr Jany, one of the longest-resident Poles here, came at 15
years with his father, who was posted here.
He stayed on after his father died, even though his mother
and sister returned to Poland.
"I wanted to complete my studies at Singapore Polytechnic,
and then there was also my sweetheart, whom I didn't want
to leave," he said with a smile.
His "sweetheart" is now his wife of 17 years, Christine
Lim.
The couple have a daughter, Sharon, eight, and two sons --
six-year-old Bryan and 18-month-old Brandon.
Now an associate manager at ERA Realty Network, Mr Jany speaks
like a Singaporean, has Chinese scrolls adorning the walls
of his Jurong West flat, and his wife's spicy chicken curry
is his favourite dish.
"When I first came here, I couldn't stand the smell of
garlic at hawker centres, but now I think the food is wonderful,"
he said.
He said the Polish families here get together for feasts featuring
kielbasa, a sausage made of pork and beef, and bigos, a stew
with cabbages, mushroom and meat and the merrymaking lasts
into the wee hours.
Said Mr Jany, a permanent resident here: "It's tradition
for us to get together like this in Singapore.
"But somehow, it's not quite the same as back home in
Poland, where a place is set even for loved ones who are no
longer around. That is something I really miss."
|
