The real-life story of Irena Sendler

June 01, 2012|By Dave Roberts & Chris Durden | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — It began as a school project in rural Kansas. What followed was worldwide acclaim and attention to a story more than half a century old.

In 1999, three high school students wrote the play about a Catholic social worker named Irena Sendler. It was titled Life in a Jar.

During World War II, Sendler received permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto. She used her position to convince thousands of parents to entrust her with their children.

With the help of others, she saved the lives of 2,500 children. Some were smuggled out in coffins, others in potatos sacks or under the floorboards of trucks.

Many of the rescued children were adopted. Others were placed in convents or orphanages.

Sendler kept track of each child's name and their location in jars. The jars were buried so they would not be found.

Sendler was eventually caught and tortured by the Nazis. The Polish underground helped her escape and she spent the rest of World War II in hiding.

In 2003, Pope John Paul II sent Sendler a personal letter praising her wartime efforts. That same year, she received the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest civilian honor.

Irena Sendler died in 2008 at the age of 98. Before she died, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Life in a Jar was made into the 2009 television movie, "The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler." The play continues to be performed around the country and around the world.

The story of Irena Sendler.

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