Redhill learners host genocide exhibition at their school

MORNINGSIDE – A former student at Redhill School sponsored the exhibition at the school.

Victoria Millar, Caitlin Lamberti, Michael Caplan, Siphiwe Vilakazi and Senthil Krishna at the genocide exhibition at Redhill School. Photo: Laura Pisanello

The Redhill School has hosted an exhibition on the German and Rwandan genocides with Grade 10s providing tours for their peers.

The exhibition, which is dedicated to all the people who lost their lives in genocides around the world, was sponsored by a former pupil at the school. Richard Behrman, who matriculated in 1981, is passionate about educational programmes surrounding the Holocaust and wanted to provide children with the opportunity to learn more about it.

The Grade 10s were given the opportunity to become tour guides for the exhibition and were trained at the Johannesburg Holocaust and Genocide Centre. They have taken turns giving tours to youngsters from Grade 6 and up since 8 March.

Micheal Fine of Redhill School gives a tour for youngsters from Twelopele High School.Photo: Laura Pisanello

On 20 March, Redhill hosted a tour for visitors from Tswelopele High School in Thembisa. Siphiwe Vilakazi, the director for community engagement at Redhill School, said the exhibition provided an exciting opportunity to experience the exhibition. “Some of the students from Twelopele High School attend Redhill School’s Tomorrow Trust Saturday School.

“So they have a connection with Redhill. And by bringing them to this exhibition, we are giving them an opportunity to experience something they may not otherwise experience in their home community. Plus, they will be engaging with history, something that’s in their school curriculum, in a very powerful way, through interaction with subject specialists,” said Vilakazi.

Michael Caplan, a history teacher at Redhill School, added that it had been an incredible learning experience for the children who were tour guides for the exhibition. Caplan highlighted that they have grown in confidence with each tour they have given.

He added that although Behrman lives in Connecticut in the United States, he was thrilled with the exhibition. “He decided that he wanted to give something back to Redhill School and he has been absolutely thrilled. He’s phoned me to say how happy he is with the exhibition.”

The sponsoring of the exhibition by Behrman will most likely cover the cost for another two years.