What would it take
for you to flee your
country?
This resource has been written by The Contextual
Theology Centre
Photograph modelled for The Children's Society | © Laurence Dutton
A better childhood. For every child.
www.childrenssociety.org.uk
Seeking Refuge
What would it take for you to flee your country?
We don’t often think of Jesus as a refugee. However, one of his first experiences was
being taken to Egypt by Mary and Joseph. They fled because Herod had ordered for all
new-born boys to be killed. Today, there are many families with children who have
fled to the UK, not by choice, but in order to escape violence and persecution in their
home countries.
The Holy Family sought asylum in Egypt
Read Matthew 12: 1-12
Reflect
The slaughter of the Hebrew firstborn would have likely led to a stream of refugees
arriving in Egypt.
Consider how the family felt about the following:
• Taking their newborn baby into a different country
• Speaking a different language and relying on the goodwill of strangers
• Being far away from friends and family
How do we imagine the different characters in the story would have felt?
How do we hope the Egyptians would have reacted?
What is life like for those who seek asylum in the UK?
Mushira
Zihmran
I was four years in the asylum
process. It was very hard for us.
When children are going to school,
they see other parents buying
children different things, they are
going on trips. My children want to go
on trips also but they can’t.
We were living with the vouchers,
no cash, the vouchers were with
restricted shops, and you had to go
miles and miles to use them. No local
shops accept them. You cannot even
use them on the bus.
My son is now nearly 17. I am very
worried because he is not allowed to
go to university. It is very
depressing for young people and
they can lose their confidence. At
16, they reduced the amount of
money he received each week.
However, because my son is not
allowed to work to make money like
his friends, this makes buying what
he needs much harder. The older
they are, the more expensive it is.
He is depressed and I am very
worried for him.
Creating Refuge
Ending Forced Destitution
PRAY
For those children and families who live in your city or community and are subjected
to the difficult life of destitution created by poor asylum support, and for the people
currently seeking to help them:
For those fleeing danger and looking for safety; for those on the
run looking for a new home; for children left destitute in a strange
country; Lord, may we offer a welcome as warm as the one we would offer
the Child who once fled to Egypt. Amen
LISTEN
So much misunderstanding comes from lack of face to face encounter.
Are there members of your church or local projects that could help you listen to, and
build relationships with, those experiencing destitution in your community?
For help identifying and finding ways of meeting those needing support near you,
please feel free to contact admin@theology-centre.org or
supportercare@childrenssociety.org.uk.
ACT
When we have heard stories, and built relationships with those who need support, we
are often moved to take further action.
Support the ‘End Forced Destitution’ campaign
Having heard the voices of many asylum seeking parents and children, The
Children’s Society has launched a campaign to demand the following:
1. Abolition of section 4 support (payment card system) and a move to a cash
system
2. Asylum support levels should be in line with mainstream benefits and no less
than 70% of income support rates
Email or write to your MP to put pressure on the government to achieve this.
Guidance: http://action.childrenssociety.org.uk/page/speakout/asylum-support
For more information: www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-you-can-do/campaignjoin/end-forced-destitution.
Referral: If you know people who need support then please use our referral line:
helpingfurtherreferrals@childrenssociety.org.uk.
Giving resources: If you live in London or Birmingham, we do have projects that
need donations of food, baby clothes and nappies. Please contact
supportercare@childrenssociety.org.uk if you are able to help in this way.
The Contextual Theology Centre
The Contextual Theology Centre works with churches in London
that have specific ministries to migrant communities. If you would
like to find out more please contact admin@theology-centre.org.
The Children's Society
The most disadvantaged children rarely suffer on just one front.
We work directly with these children, many of whom have
nowhere else to turn, to ensure that they are loved, valued and
listened to. With them we fight childhood poverty, harm
and neglect.
Our network of programmes includes drop-in services
for runaways, as well as children’s centres and support for young
carers. We support children who are refugees from violence, and
we give those in care a voice. We transform the lives of many
more children by pressurising government and local authorities
to change policy and practice to protect them, and we challenge
the negative attitudes that perpetuate harm and injustice.
In hard times, children are among the hardest hit.
We don’t just help them survive - we support them to flourish.
For further information contact:
The Children’s Society
Email: supportercare@childrenssociety.org.uk
Website: www.childrenssociety.org.uk
The Contextual Theology Centre
Email: admin@theology-centre.org
Website: www.theology-centre.org
Charity Registration No. 221124 | 4583/09/10
A better childhood. For every child.