Carmarthenshire students to meet Holocaust survivor

Secondary school pupils in Carmarthenshire will get the chance to meet and hear the testimony of a survivor of the Holocaust.

Eva Clarke BEM will address year 10 and 11 students at an event this week (February 28), organised by Carmarthenshire County Council to mark the Holocaust.

Eva’s visit has been made possible thanks to the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).

As well as hearing directly from Eva, they will have an opportunity to ask her questions before taking part in a workshop led by local HET educator, Elaine Thomas.

Students will also be encouraged to take inspiration from those affected by the Holocaust and subsequent genocides to make pledges to combat prejudice and discrimination. This will be followed by an art workshop, where students will create butterflies to add to a commemorative collage and honour those who have perished in genocides.

Executive board member for Education and Children’s Services, Cllr Glynog Davies, said: “This is the fourth year running we have organised an event for our schools to commemorate the Holocaust but this is the first time we have had the privilege of welcoming a Holocaust survivor to Carmarthenshire to share their story with us in person.

“We are immensely grateful to Eva Clarke for coming to Carmarthenshire and to HET for their support with this event. I am sure this unique opportunity will make a lasting impression on our young people and help us all to realise the dangers of hatred and bigotry as well as the importance of promoting empathy and taking action to challenge racism and prejudice today.”

Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, added: “The Holocaust Educational Trust educates and engages students from across the UK, from all communities about the Holocaust and there can be no better way than through the first-hand testimony of a survivor. Eva’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.”