Learning About Refugees

“Anyone can become a refugee, anyone, it’s not something which you choose, it’s something that happens to you.”

These are the words of Hassan, a man who was forced to flee his home country of Syria in search of safety. His story, which included taking a treacherous journey across the ocean in an attempt to find a new home and protection, was just one that we explored in today’s lesson.

After examining some key words and meanings, the students were tasked with shading in a world map to show:

1)    Countries with the most Internally Displaced People (IDPs)

2)    Top 5 countries of origin for refugees

3)    Top 5 countries for refugees

4)    Countries which received the most asylum applications in 2015

(I found this excellent resource at: www.choices.edu).

We then examined our feelings concerning what the map showed. Were we surprised? Why were these movements taking place?

Afterwards, we turned our attention towards Syria. I explained the nature of the civil war which began in 2011 and rages on to this day. We noted that this was in no way a simple war, but one pitted in historical discrepancies and fought between numerous groups. As the class was introduced to the involvement of other countries within this conflict, they soon realised that this truly is a global phenomenon.

In turn, we watched a video from the BBC documentary Exodus following the story of Israa (a young girl from Syria).

Afterwards, the students were tasked with thinking about the practicalities of leaving one’s home and country behind. What items would they take with them given the opportunity and why?

It was important to go deeper than items and material goods though. I found a fantastic resource from the British Red Cross website which offers four scenarios for students to explore:

1)    You really want to go back home. But everyone says it is still too dangerous. People expect you to be grateful to be where you are. However some media reports suggest you are not welcome any more.

2)   You do not know what happened to your friends and family from home. No one knows you're safe and you don't know if they are safe. You feel alone and vulnerable.

3)    You miss the food, culture and friends from home. Everything in your new country is strange and unfamiliar. You feel you are not living, just existing.

4)    You're not sure if you are safe now. You have nightmares about what happened when you had to flee. You have heard stories of attacks on refugees in the local area. You worry that your permission to stay may be taken away.

Immediately, one student exclaimed, “I just couldn’t do it! I would be too scared!” We discussed this fear and the fact that this was and is a reality for so many.

In relation to the scenarios given, the students thought about the problems faced, any possible solutions to them, and the integral role of support when confronted with life as a refugee.

Finally, the students were asked to think about a message that they would give a refugee while watching Hassan's terrifying experience at sea. The responses were heart-warming, thoughtful and honest.

Upon concluding our globalisation topic, we realised that the world can certainly be a beautiful, kind, yet dangerous, scary, and messy place to live in. Furthermore, we acknowledged that countries are now more connected than ever causing both cooperation and conflict...