Lessons from Auschwitz Project
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On 11th March, Ms Navarro, Josh Williams and I travelled to Poland to visit the
concentration camps.
On our arrival in Krakow we were driven to the town of Oswiecim. There we learnt about Jewish life before the war and the relative
harmony all religions lived in. We then visited a synagogue and heard the reading of the torah, after which we travelled to the first concentration camp ‘Auschwitz’,
where we were shown how the Jews were treated and their living conditions. We were hown exhibits that displayed belongings of the prisoners of the camp, including hair, suitcases and shoes. It was these displays that brought it home to me and showed me the true cost of the Holocaust.
We were then taken to the second camp ‘Auschwitz-Birkenau’ where we climbed the watchtower and
were taken aback by the scale of the site. We were shown around the appalling living accommodation in the camp and we also learnt about how the Jews were brought all across Europe
and were selected for work or death upon entry. Old people and children below the age of 14 were
all killed.
Later, a service conducted by a rabbi was held and we laid candles on the railway tracks in remembrance of those who died.
The trip was organised by the "Holocaust Education Trust—Lessons fromAuschwitz Project". We
attended a seminar before the trip which informed us about the history of the Holocaust. Whilst there we met a Holocaust survivor named Ziggi who was a true inspiration to us all. After the trip we were very exhausted (especially Ms Navarro who slept most of the time!) We are now looking forward to presenting assemblies to spread the message that we have learned, and act as educators/ambassadors in Ysgol Rhiwabon.
You can see a gallery of photos taken during the the Holocaust Remembrance Trip here.