We were given the amazing opportunity to listen to Kitty Hart-Moxon who was a survivor from Auschwitz-Birkenau. Not only was it intriguing to discover the details of the camp, but also to hear how she dealt with the whole ordeal.

Hearing her talk about how the Nazis treated her, her mother and all of the other camp-mates really made us question how one human being could possibly treat another in such a way.

Is it right to single out somebody just because they’re different to you?

On 9th February, we departed from East Midlands to what we can only describe as a truly emotional and harrowing day in Auschwitz, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Oświęcim (a pre-war Jewish town).

During our day, it rapidly became apparent that no amount of videos, textbooks or teaching could prepare us for these experiences.

Instantly you begin to notice that, even today, the town is still ravaged by the war that took place there so long ago.

Learning and seeing how, even small towns such as Oświęcim, were crippled by Nazi hatred really opened our eyes to how vast and encroaching their influence and destructive path was.

Is it right to destroy someone’s home just because they’re different to you?

From Oświęcim, we traveled a short distance to Auschwitz-1, the smaller of the two camps. The haunting icon that is the sign at the entrance, reading ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’

We entered ‘Block 11’ which was the most feared of blocks for the prisoners.

Washrooms ‘Dark cells’ Standing cells Prison cells Offices

Prisoners were taken outside, lined up and shot.

Large amounts of snow, barbed wire and blocks of buildings were all that greeted us, until we went inside…

Auschwitz contained many confiscated belongings that, unless you see them for yourself, cannot be explained.

Rooms full of hair, pots, pans, shoes, clothes, suitcases and various other personal belongings of the dead prisoners were a few of the many things that we could see.

Is it right to take someone’s possessions away from them, just because they’re different to you?

As soon as we entered the gas chamber, we felt a sudden sense of oppression and poignancy, in particular from the dark corners and the two solitary holes in the roof.

The final destination was Auschwitz- Birkenau, which was purpose built to kill the majority of the prisoners

As we looked out from the top of the watch-tower, we could only wonder how such a place could possibly have been built.

Is it right to imprison millions of innocent people, just because they’re different to you?

We hope and pray that nothing like the Holocaust will ever happen again Unfortunately the mass killing of innocent people is stilling happening this very day in places such as Rwanda and Darfur. Is it right to kill someone, just because they’re different to you? The root of the problem starts off small; students at school, such as yourself, begin to call somebody names, gossip about them or even simply ignore them. Is it right to do any of these things, simply because somebody is different to you?

If we held one minute of silence for each victim 60 minutes in one hour 24 hours in one day 365 days in one year We would remain silent for over three years

Everyone has the right to a life full of happiness, friendship and hope.

“Gedale’s Song” By Primo Levi Do you recognise us? We are the ghetto sheep, Shorn for a thousand years, resigned to injury. We are the tailors, and copyists, and the cantors Withered in the shadow of the cross. Now we know the forest paths, We have learned to shoot and we’re right on target. If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If not like this, how? And if not now, when? Our brothers have risen to the sky Through the ovens of Sobibor and Treblinka, They have dug themselves a grave in the air. Only we few have survived For the honour of our submerged people, For revenge and witnessing. If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If not like this, how? And if not now, when? We are the sons of David, and stubborn ones of Massada. Each of us carries in his pocket the stone That shattered Goliath’s forehead. Brothers, away from Europe graves: We will climb together toward the land Where we shall be men among other men. If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If not like this, how? And if not now, when?

Questions