Not all people are scoundrels!

And although the world has changed since Janusz Korczak embarked on his tragic journey, the principles he left behind remain important and relevant. They are not just words; they are imprinted on the soul of everyone willing to accept responsibility for nurturing, caring for, and loving those who cannot fend for themselves.

But what happened to those who were close to him, those who survived Treplinka and other horrific concentration camps? What did those who witnessed how a strong spirit and love for children could conquer death but could not save them from a cruel fate do?

The story of Janusz Korczak and his children is not only a tragic chapter of World War II but also a reminder that humanity can resist the cruelest systems. They were all human beings, with a right to life, to joy and happiness, to dreams, but they were deprived of all of this simply because of their nationality. But even in the most dire circumstances, Korczak did not abandon his children. He refused to accept “freedom” without them.

Perhaps this is the deepest moral: there is no freedom for one until all are free. Janusz Korczak, despite his desire to save himself, knew that freedom for him was not a life of solitude, but the ability to care for others. When faced with the choice between his own salvation and that of his children, he chose them. And this wasn’t just an act of courage; it was an act of love, which is sufficient to overcome any obstacle.

The children Korczak led on their final journey may never have understood the full depth of what was happening around them. For them, the moment they entered the gas chamber may have been merely the end of a game or a long, terrible dream. But their deaths were not meaningless. They became a symbol that even in the darkest and most terrible times, a person can remain human, that high moral principles can, if not save, then at least affirm the single value in the world—human life.

Time has passed, and people have become more mindful of the memories of those tragic events. But history doesn’t always teach, and as long as there is injustice and suffering in the world, Janusz Korczak’s principles remain relevant. Perhaps those who haven’t yet understood that there is no greater value in this world than a child’s life will embrace this teaching, and perhaps they will no longer stand by when they see injustice. Perhaps more people will emerge who are willing to be not just educators for children, but also advocates, willing to give their lives so that these children can live.

Not all people are villains, and even in the most difficult moments, like Korczak, we can retain our humanity. And if each of us at some point accepts this truth and follows it, perhaps the world will become a little more tolerant and kind.

When we speak of Janusz Korczak, we not only remember a tragic figure who, despite all obstacles, retained his humanity, but also recall the core values ​​he embodied. Ultimately, his actions weren’t simply acts of heroism—they were proof that even in the most dire circumstances, a person must remain true to their principles, their inner code.