“Footprints for Hope” includes a lesson plan and an 8-minute film that centre around one of the most painful graphic images of the Holocaust: the shoes of victims who perished in Nazi death camps. The idea behind the project is to stimulate interest amongst the students to learn more about the Holocaust. Through an activity and discussion built around an everyday "ordinary" item that is a necessity to all people, the students can better connect with the victims and their stories. The discussion may shift from past history to current acts of discrimination and violence. Students can examine their role in helping to prevent racism and prejudice from spreading in their communities, while exploring their common humanity. The project concludes with an element of hope, symbolized by the painting of ordinary footwear with vivid colours, representing a brighter future. This is both an individual and group activity, which enables each student to do his or her part to symbolically improve the group's immediate surroundings.
Lesson plan is available here and PowerPoint Presentation here.
Educational materials were created by Paul Salmons, independent curator and educator specializing in challenging histories. Salmons has curated the international award-winning exhibition "Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away" and is the chief curator of "Seeing Auschwitz".
Photography of the footwear that serves as the focus for the lesson on the Holocaust was provided courtesy of Olivia Hemingway. The shoe is part of the Collections of the Imperial War Museum London. The video for educators was produced by Cornelia Reetz, United Kingdom Holocaust Centre, Nottinghamshire.