A Holocaust survivor spoke to schoolchildren about her experiences as part of a year-round education programme.
On May 15, Eve Kugler, 87, joined Year 8 pupils at Salvatorian College in Harrow to giver her testimony as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust.
Her moving account was followed by a question and answer session where students had an opportunity to learn more about the circumstances of the Holocaust in more depth.
Eve Kugler
Eve was born in Halle, Germany, in 1931. She witnessed the events of Kristallnacht and the family then fled to France.
She first lived in a children’s home in Paris and later was able to move to the USA with her sister Ruth.
Her other sister Lea was hidden by the French resistance. Her parents followed in 1946 after surviving the French concentration camps.
The visit is part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s extensive all-year-round Outreach Programme, which is available to schools across the UK.
Martin Tissot, executive headteacher at Salvatorian College, said: “It was a privilege for us to welcome Eve Kugler to our school and her testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced.
“We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that by hearing Ms Kugler’s testimony, our students have been encouraged to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”
Chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, Karen Pollock, said there is “no better way” to educate students from all communities about the Holocaust, adding: “Eve Kugler’s story is one of tremendous courage during horrific circumstances and by hearing her testimony, students will have the opportunity to learn where prejudice and racism can ultimately lead.
“At the Trust, we impart the history of the Holocaust to young people, to ensure that we honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and take forward the lessons taught by those who survived.”
The Holocaust Educational Trust was established in 1988 and works in schools, universities and in the community to raise awareness of the Holocaust offering training, resource materials and outreach programmes.
For more information go to https://www.het.org.uk/
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