This episode was produced on January 10, 2024.
Meet Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander
This week marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On January 27, 1945, the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz in occupied Poland was liberated by the Soviet Army. The UN designated that day in 2005 to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of the Nazis. We're going to hear from a man named Joseph Alexander, who was the only person in his family to survive the Holocaust. His parents and siblings were murdered by the Nazis. At the age of 100, he still works to keep their memory alive and wants to make sure the younger generations learn about the Nazi’s atrocities. Hans Pfeifer met up with Joseph Alexander. Natalie Muller has his report.
Kindertransporte – rescue missions to save Jewish children
During World War II, scores of Jewish children were saved from the Nazis through the so-called Kindertransporte rescue effort. One of them was Arthur Kern. He fled Vienna as a child, making it all the way to Los Angeles, California. Historian Lilly Maier’s book - "Arthur and Lilly: The Girl and the Holocaust Survivor" – tells the story of his escape. And also how the two of them met, and became friends, many years later. Ben Restle has this report by Katharina Wilhelm.
Kids in Cairo's garbage district
Now on to Egypt, where Karas and his friends live amongst trash and flies in a garbage district. Their neighbors collect, sort and sell trash from Cairo's richer neighborhoods. Still, the neighborhood has a school that the children love, and they try to make the best of it. Jennifer Collins has this story by Anna Osius.
Making a living singing on trains
And for our last report we go to Rio de Janeiro where a young singer is trying to make ends meet by performing on trains. If she's not singing in bars, at parties or weddings, she’s singing for commuters. Conor Dillon has more, in this report by Reinhard Baumgarten.