Holocaust Survivor Testimony

What can 21^st Century Students learn from Holocaust Survivors?

On 30^th April 2014 Holocaust Survivors, Henry and Ingrid Wuga, were invited to UWS to tell their story of the Holocaust, giving students and staff an insight into the build-up and aftermath of the Holocaust. Mr and Ms Wuga spoke of the rise of Hitler, anti-Semitism, Kinder transport and their experience of settling in the UK including schooling, internment and finding work. They also fielded questions from a captivated audience of 100 UWS students & staff, all attending the event in their own time outside of their own classroom time, commendation to Henry & Ingrid indeed!

It was a highly emotive and inspiring testimony from Henry & Ingrid as they gave detailed accounts of the many occasions they had suffered anti-Semitic abuse while in the UK after escaping the Nazi’s. The couple talked of newspaper articles with headlines such as “send them back” that were published after Winston Churchill agreed to give migrant children such as Henry & Ingrid a home in the UK.

This prompted some discussion on both the inhumanity of the Holocaust itself as well some of the issues & misconceptions around discrimination & immigration, bringing the discussion in to the present day. Along with a few humorous quips levelled at the pedantic bureaucracy of UK’s immigration practice, Mr Wuga message was very clear; he criticised the media’s consistently negative message of immigration, dispelling their over exaggerated & negative portrayal of the migrants in this country, encouraging the audience to question the media, analyse the impact of migrants themselves and most of all SPEAK UP. 

The lasting message from Henry and Ingrid was not one of hate or resentment but was one of encouragement - encouragement to the audience to use their voice and raise issues that they are unhappy with. Henry quoted the famous and provocative poem by Martin Niemöller;

“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out-- Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.”

This was a truly fantastic event that will surely have a lasting impact on the students & staff who attended. SAUWS will continue the message that Henry & Ingrid have championed, as we will provide students with information and facts on the Holocaust, immigration in the 231^st century and general awareness rising around race & religion around the world. Keep an eye out on the SAUWS website for any events & information.

Finally, a huge thank you must go to the Holocaust Educational Trust, who helped facilitate this event along with the Students’ Associations Citizenship project.