There are few opportunities to hear the story of horror and hope as told by a living survivor of the Holocaust.
Dr. Eva Olsson was in the region last week sharing her memories and message with students and area residents. Maidstone High School students were joined Tuesday morning by the Grade 4 to 6 students from Ratushniak Elementary School as well as students from Lashburn and Neilburg and members of the community.
Olsson kept the audience captivated with her words and a series of horrific photographs as she detailed the journey to death in which she lost 87 out of 89 members of her own family. It was strength that kept Olsson alive all those years ago and it is with strength that, at the age of 86, she is still speaking to people across North America.
Olsson's voice is still strong, but even while speaking of the same experiences she has recalled thousands of times there are still words and phrases that catch in her throat and seem to bring her to the edge of tears. When she speaks, she evokes all of the senses to create the awful scenes she lived through while 11 million perished.
Olsson has been sharing her story since 1996 and doesn't seem to be slowing down. Her presentation was part of an anti-bullying week at Maidstone High School.
Olsson spoke about her own grandson being called a hurtful name because of his ethnic background at his high school with a teacher close by who said and did nothing. She asked her grandson if he went to the principal and the young man responded with a no, he had gone to the newspaper instead.
Olsson spoke about bullies and bystanders.
"I can't understand beautiful intelligent children in Canada bullying each other," said Olsson.
She spoke about what it means to her to be a Canadian.
"There is no room for hate and no room for bullying. That is not what Canada stands for, it stands for acceptance, peace and love."
She encouraged the young people drop the word hate from their everyday language. "I don't use the word hate, hate murdered my family, hate is a bad word, hate isn't some kind of joke, hate is a killer," she said.
She asked the young people to consider their roles.
"The future is in your hands, be a good example, be proud of yourselves. We all can make a difference, we all make choices, we all can be a blessing in someone else's life."
The impact of Olsson's presentation didn't end with the standing ovation as it became the starting point for dialogue. Guests enjoyed lunch with the speaker provided by the school's staff and time to begin processing what they had heard and how it could impact their actions.
Maidstone students spent the afternoon in fishbowl discussions with their classmates able to speak freely about their own concerns. Sydney Franks is a member of the Northwest School Division's Leadership Academy. She is a Grade 12 student who decided to take on the issue of bullying as her final project with the leadership academy.
"I picked bullying because I think it's a big issue in our school," said Franks.
She co-ordinated Olsson's visit and other activities. Franks selected a committee of other young leaders to help plan and facilitate activities. The group of 11 girls wore vibrant pink shirts donated by Jug and Eleanor Pegg as they led discussion groups and acted as examples for their fellow students.
Monday the school began a pay-it-forward activity where good deeds were recognized by the placing of cut outs of hands on the library window. By Thursday the window was completely filled with the evidence of generosity and kindness.
Wednesday everyone was encouraged to wear pink to show their support and throughout the week anti-bullying video clips were shown on the hallway television screen.
Franks was pleased with the outcome of the experience.
"People have said Eva's presentation made a big impact, even people in the community. Eva's speech was something I'll remember."
