Refugee Week 2012 assembly
Mika
M.I.A
Bob Marley
Wyclef Jean
When Mika was a year old his family was
forced to leave war-torn Lebanon.
M.I.A and her family were forced to flee the
ethnic conflict in Sri
Lanka in the 1980s.
Bob Marley fled Jamaica to Miami after
being shot during political violence.
Wyclef Jean fled Haiti along with his family
when he was nine years old.
Arriving in the UK
It was so painful to leave my children, that was the
most painful thing…I didn’t want to leave but
circumstances forced me to leave
Tich Kajanda – Fled Zimbabwe in 2000
I was able to say “Hi, hello, good morning” but that
was pretty much it. Fast food, that was something I
had never experienced in my life. I was used to a hot
meal every time my mother cooked it.
Eric Nkundumubano – Fled Rwanda in 2002
When we first arrived in Nottingham we found it extremely
difficult because obviously we couldn’t speak the language.
It was a complete culture shock, but we were welcomed with
open arms. People used to come and leave clothes
donations, food donations… extremely friendly to us. I feel
settled in the UK; it feels like home to me now.
Aldijana Becirevic – Fled Bosnia in 1995
Agree or disagree?
1. If I were in danger and had to leave my country, I would go to
the nearest safe country.
2. You shouldn’t ask refugees about their experiences and why
they had to leave their country.
3. Mobile phones are a luxury that refugees don’t need.
Welcome pack
What would you include in a welcome pack for a young
refugee arriving in your area?
> What would be useful, friendly gifts?
> What small luxuries might make a big difference to someone
feeling alone, bewildered and desperately short of money?
> What local knowledge or tips would you include?
> Consider a map with key information.
> What about local expressions or useful phrases?
Photo credits and notes
Slides 2 and 3
Photo 1
Mika performs during 'Les Victoires de La Musique 2012' at Palais des Congres in 2012 in Paris,
France. © Francois Durand/Getty Images
Photo 2
British singer M.I.A. performs at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California April 18, 2009.
© John Shearer/WireImage/Getty Images
Photo 3
Bob Marley performing live on stage at the Rainbow Theatre © Graham Wiltshire/Redferns/Getty
Images
Photo 4
Haitian singer Wyclef Jean performs at the 2009 Bermuda Music Festival © Rob Loud/Getty
Images
Slide 4
All images © British Red Cross
This presentation is part of the Refugee Week 2012 assembly which you can find at
redcross.org.uk/refugeeassembly
Teachers and other educators are free to use and amend this presentation for use in educational settings.
This resource and other free materials are available at redcross.org.uk/education
The British Red Cross Society is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland
(SCO37738).