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Today, Tour for Humanity spent the day at a Catholic Secondary School in North Bay.  There were 4 Global Perspectives workshops on the bus, each consisting of 2 classes of students. This workshop begins with a screening of a three-part documentary series produced by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) entitled The Holocaust, Universal Genocide and Real World Heroes. The Ten Stages of Genocide are then discussed in relation to the Holocaust and other world genocides, including Rwanda, Cambodia and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine and throughout Eastern Europe under Joseph Stalin’s reign.  All groups were quite lively and talkative. 

The second group of the day was a Grade 9 religion class where two meaningful and memorable moments occurred. As FSWC Educator Daniella was discussing the 9th stage of genocide (extermination), she explained what life was like in concentration camps like Auschwitz, including daily rations of food and the horrendous conditions that prisoners had to endure. As Daniella was talking, a young man in the front row asked if she had been to see a camp. When Daniella replied ‘yes,’ he asked what her experience was like. Daniella found this to be a very interesting question, so she digressed a little and told the class about the size of the physical camp and what it felt like to be walking on such hallowed ground. At the end of the workshop, this same student hung back to talk to Daniella privately. It turned out that the reason for his question is that his family is planning a trip to Europe this summer which would likely include visiting a camp in Germany (he wasn't sure which one). He was visibly nervous and apprehensive even talking about going. Daniella sat with him for a few moments and told him that most people find it a very impactful but also emotional experience. She told him that any reaction he may have is completely normal. She also advised him to prepare himself mentally and emotionally for the visit by reading and learning as much information as possible.   She told him that she thought it could be life-changing for him. 

The second memorable moment occurred during the same workshop with a different student. As the class was leaving the bus another young man came over to Daniella, shook her hand and said that the workshop really inspired him to try and make a difference in his community. He said having the bus at his school showed him that anyone can do something to make a positive impact in the world.