Barry pupils travel to Poland on Holocaust Education Project
RECENTLY, two sixth form students from Pencoedtre High School in Barry took part in the ‘Ambassadors for Auschwitz’ program, hosted by the Holocaust Educational Trust.
Amina-Cariad Bah and Mia Todd were accompanied by Mrs Tyler Saunders, their Philosophy and Religion teacher.
Pupils selected for the programme have to prepare by doing online modules and seminars. On the day, they were asked to meet at Cardiff Airport at 4.30am to join the other 200 people travelling to Poland. They were warned it would be a long day.
Once they arrived in Krakow, they were taken to the town of Oświęcim to get an understanding of what life was like before the Holocaust changed that town (and the world) forever. The Polish name Oświęcim was changed to Auschwitz when the Germans invaded. They were introduced to Rabbi Hackenbroch, who explained that Jews made up 58 per cent of the town’s population – until the Nazis arrived.
From there they were given a tour of both Auschwitz 1 and then Auschwitz Birkenau and experienced first-hand the true place of horror and extreme sorrow that plagued the Jewish population in World War II. The day was ended by a memorial service led by Rabbi Hackenbroch. The service was moving and memorable.
Student Amina-Cariad was given the privilege of reading a poem out about life before the Holocaust and she said: “It’s an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life and I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity to explore and understand the true horror of what went on at Auschwitz.”
Student Mia Todd also said: “Visiting Auschwitz was something I’d never thought I’d take part in but this privilege has given me the opportunity to understand and learn that each victim was an individual and there is nothing more important than treating everyone equally”.
Teacher Mrs Tyler Saunders said: “What I saw that day really did change my perspective on life. It encouraged me not to take things for granted, to call out prejudice when I see it, and to make sure I continue talking about the Holocaust. I feel extremely lucky to have taken part in this project – not only to go and see the Holocaust sites but to have completed the project as a whole.
“I will never forget my trip to Auschwitz – an experience that has shaped me as a person. Although it was a harrowing and treacherous thing that happened – I believe everyone should go and experience it at least once in their lives.”
The pair, alongside their teacher, will now take art in the ‘Next Steps Project’ which will include assemblies and talks with pupils and members of staff and PowerPoint presentations around the school. They are also involved in the making of a memorial song to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust.
Report by Amina-Cariad Bah, Mia Todd and Mrs Tyler Saunders
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