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School Apartheid: A joint project of the No School Apartheid Campaign and Women in Dialogue. This initiative aims to provide accurate information and stimulate discussion among young people based on the facts of asylum seekers’ experiences in the countries they fled and in Britain. It contributes to countering prejudice, racist and sexist stereotyping and bullying. Sensitive to the age group being addressed, asylum seekers from the All African Women’s Group, based at the Crossroads Women’s Centre, are ready to talk with children in schools (more usually during an assembly but can be a class or as part of an extra-curricular activity) about their lives – why they fled, leaving behind everything they know and love, their experiences surviving and caring for their loved ones in Britain. This is followed by questions and discussion. A play scripted with asylum seekers to convey real life experiences can be performed. To follow this up children can write, draw, script their own play etc. about what they have learnt. The project has already been welcomed in several nursery, primary and secondary schools in London during Refugee Week 2004: “… your speakers brought to life the trials and traumas that can and often are experienced by refugees fleeing war torn countries. Misconceptions of the safety of refugees were addressed and have since enabled the children to question the biased nature of information that can be provided by adults. Thank you Crossroads for encouraging courageous women to come forward to re-live their experiences for the benefit of our children. Ethnic Minority Achievement Group (EMAG) teacher, St Patrick’s RC School “Parliament Hill School was privileged to have three speakers at morning assemblies talking about their personal experiences. The purpose… was to counter the stereotypes of refugees and asylum seekers as portrayed by large sections of the media and government…We are very keen to find a space for the play and to keep the girls and staff updated on the progress of the women in their fight.” Head teacher. "The talks have been fantastically successful. Children of all ages have been spell-bound listening to the women's stories. Many were moved to tears by a young woman raped and beaten in prison and a mother who was forced to leave her two children behind when she fled Democratic Republic of Congo. Teachers were delighted that children asked many concerned and sympathetic questions and formed their own independent opinions in support of the women.” (Spokeswoman for No School Apartheid campaign) To help cover costs of this entirely volunteer project, we request a contribution of £50. (In special circumstances a lower fee can be negotiated)
To arrange a visit, please contact: Kay
Chapman – No School Apartheid. 0207
482 2496 or 07904 255 145 No School Apartheid Campaign, lead by mothers, spearheaded opposition to legislation in 2002, which segregates children seeking asylum away from mainstream schools. Women in Dialogue, an educational charity to raise awareness and educate the public on race and community relations with particular reference to women. It runs the Crossroads Women’s Centre. Thanks to Awards for All and Camden Council for help with funding. |