When One Man Saved 669 Children

By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.

While traveling for work through the UK years ago, I was introduced to the story of a man who is absolute proof that one person can change the world.

Here’s his story.

In 1938 Nicholas Winton was a 28-year stockbroker living in London. He planned to trade the gloomy rain of England for the glorious mountains of Switzerland for a holiday ski trip. A phone call from a friend changed his plans. And his life.

Martin Blake told him to forget the skis and come instead to Prague. They had something far more important to do.

With Europe tipping toward total war, the men anticipated the plight of Jewish children in Czechoslovakia.

A shining example of how one person can change the world came at the dawn of the Holocaust, when a man skipped vacation to personally save 100s of children.

Winton, working tirelessly, created a plan to send Jewish children in Czechoslovakia whose families feared potential Nazi occupation to England. Winton secured documentation, gathered resources, purchased train tickets and recruited families that would greet and raise the children in England.

Before the Nazis made traveling out of the country impossible, Winton filled seven trainloads of children transported safely to freedom. He saved these children’s lives.

And yet, he never told anyone what he did. Not even his wife.

Five decades later, in 1988, his wife stumbled upon an old ledger with names in it. She asked Nicholas what it was, and he explained what he did in 1938 and 1939. He just wished he had done more.

After news of this story broke in a local paper, Winton was asked to share his story with the BBC. With cameras rolling and a live audience, the host was clearly moved by Winton’s actions and humility. As the interview concluded, he asked one final question, “Is anyone in the audience a child that Nicholas personally saved from certain death?”

A woman stood, wiping her eyes.

And then a man stood.

Then another.

Next, a group.

Until the entire audience was standing.

Winton stopped looking around at the audience, put his head down, and wept.

You can change the world, starting with yours.

My friends, while others turned their backs, felt indifference or were simply paralyzed with fear, Winton took accountability, accepted risks and rescued children. In all, he directly saved 669 lives through his bravery and selfless actions.

Some of the children gave him a ring to show their gratitude. It is inscribed with six simple words from the Talmud: “Save one life. Save the world.”

So, can we actually save, change or fundamentally improve the world?

Well, it may not be trainloads of children we save. We may not end up on BBC for our valor. We may never be Knighted by Queen Elizabeth or receive the highest honor from the Czech Republic.

But undoubtably, small acts of kindness, done in love, can have mighty ripple effects. We’ve all experienced that healing power in our own lives.

In a marketplace that often feels divided, isolated, and hopeless, we’re called to be that example to others in their lives.

This is your day. Live Inspired.

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