Barbara Gonzalez, Grade 11
UWCEA (Moshi)
I remember how sleepy I felt that Monday morning. I still felt like my head was on my pillow as I headed to my first class of the day and one of my favourite classes, "English B". My teacher - Mr. Carson is one of those people who radiates an energy of positivity every time you talk to him, he is always ready to offer a hand, listen to you, and organize classes with activities that you will remember for the rest of the day. As I walked through the main corridor, I remember myself standing outside the classroom-door and stopping for a minute to see if today was one of those lucky days when you can see the gloriousness of the highest mountain in Africa. Indeed, I remember my drowsiness evaporated almost immediately when I saw the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro from outside my English B class; the best way to start my week.
As soon as I entered the classroom, I noticed that almost everyone was already there, so I blithely greeted them and waited for the lesson to start. Along with some of my friends, we remembered we were currently studying the theme "Experiences" organizing personal research, group activities, and having very interesting discussions. However, out of the blue Mr. Carson told us that on that Monday morning, we would have a completely different sort of activity.
All of us were very surprised as we listened while he started explaining: "For today's lesson you will imagine yourselves as refugees. Refugees who have to make decisions that could put your lives and your family's lives at risk". Now that I look back to that day, I remember us all digesting the words that he had just said. Now, I also remember how surprising it was as, from one moment to another, we started imagining ourselves as refugees, trying to survive under such hazardous circumstances. I carried all those memories we created out of that activity and held them with me to this day.
After the class's initial-reaction, he continued explaining that it would be a game about fleeing a war-torn homeland from Algeria, in hopes of eventually reaching Europe. We were told that along the way, we would meet all sorts of people—some sympathetic to our cause and others less so. All of this while trying not to catch a disease, starve, or break all our bones. The events we would encounter would lead our next steps and would allow us to craft things, including food and weapons that would keep us alive, but with certain costs.
I remember how in the very beginning we had to grab a piece of paper to make a list of only fifteen things we would be allowed to take into a small suitcase that would hopefully accompany us throughout our journey. Our journey from Algeria attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea trying to eventually reach European shores. I also remember how I struggled with my classmates organizing this priority list thinking of what would be truly essential and of great help along our journey. Now I look back to that Monday morning and see myself writing a passport, one change of clothes, a blanket in case I would have to face a cold climate, some money; among other things that I thought would help me survive and make it to Europe.
It took us some time, but we all managed to finish our priority list. Later on, the journey began, and we had to start facing our first complications. First of all, even before embarking, I was forced to choose two elements from my fifteen-things list since my suitcase was too heavy and could put the other passengers' lives at risk. Later, while we were halfway through the Mediterranean sea, some other of our belongings got also lost due to strong storm surges. Although we faced some various difficult situations while on the boat, we managed to step on land, yet we did not know where exactly we were. Under these circumstances, my passport got lost, and then I had to exchange some other of my belongings to smugglers to get some money and a sort of defence weapon to continue my journey. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to survive and to successfully cross a forest to possibly get to a safer area.
This activity can be described as a simple game, although in reality, is based on the real-life experiences of millions of refugees fleeing war or persecution. Refugees are facing tough decisions and chance events in a quest to reach safety, reunite with loved ones, and rebuild their lives. The events and outcomes of each story depend on the decisions that the player makes, resulting in a potentially different experience every time.
How would you cope with being displaced and forced to travel miles from home with only what you can carry? Can you imagine being so desperate to escape that you pay a smuggler to help you? Can you imagine the terror of being caught by the army you were fleeing from? Could we survive being a refugee? Conflict and violence have separated millions of refugees from their loved ones. The nomadic existence of a refugee is unimaginable to most of us, but it is a reality for thousands of people around the world.
I now see my privilege of having a good education, my privilege of knowing that my family is alright and safe clearer than ever. I also identify the privilege of knowing that I have a place to sleep, that I have food to eat, and that I can rely on the health system of my country in one way or another. Taking almost all these basic needs for granted is a real privilege, and I see how there are millions of people that unfortunately cannot rely on that. There are millions of refugees that can only take uncertainty for granted, but that are also trying to keep hope that there will be a tomorrow with better opportunities - believing that there will be a tomorrow when, along with their families, they will be able to feel safe without the constant fear of having to run away.
This activity awakened in me a greater understanding of this issue that is still extremely difficult to imagine. A parallel reality that seems impossible, but that exists and persists in unimaginable dimensions.
As soon as I entered the classroom, I noticed that almost everyone was already there, so I blithely greeted them and waited for the lesson to start. Along with some of my friends, we remembered we were currently studying the theme "Experiences" organizing personal research, group activities, and having very interesting discussions. However, out of the blue Mr. Carson told us that on that Monday morning, we would have a completely different sort of activity.
All of us were very surprised as we listened while he started explaining: "For today's lesson you will imagine yourselves as refugees. Refugees who have to make decisions that could put your lives and your family's lives at risk". Now that I look back to that day, I remember us all digesting the words that he had just said. Now, I also remember how surprising it was as, from one moment to another, we started imagining ourselves as refugees, trying to survive under such hazardous circumstances. I carried all those memories we created out of that activity and held them with me to this day.
After the class's initial-reaction, he continued explaining that it would be a game about fleeing a war-torn homeland from Algeria, in hopes of eventually reaching Europe. We were told that along the way, we would meet all sorts of people—some sympathetic to our cause and others less so. All of this while trying not to catch a disease, starve, or break all our bones. The events we would encounter would lead our next steps and would allow us to craft things, including food and weapons that would keep us alive, but with certain costs.
I remember how in the very beginning we had to grab a piece of paper to make a list of only fifteen things we would be allowed to take into a small suitcase that would hopefully accompany us throughout our journey. Our journey from Algeria attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea trying to eventually reach European shores. I also remember how I struggled with my classmates organizing this priority list thinking of what would be truly essential and of great help along our journey. Now I look back to that Monday morning and see myself writing a passport, one change of clothes, a blanket in case I would have to face a cold climate, some money; among other things that I thought would help me survive and make it to Europe.
It took us some time, but we all managed to finish our priority list. Later on, the journey began, and we had to start facing our first complications. First of all, even before embarking, I was forced to choose two elements from my fifteen-things list since my suitcase was too heavy and could put the other passengers' lives at risk. Later, while we were halfway through the Mediterranean sea, some other of our belongings got also lost due to strong storm surges. Although we faced some various difficult situations while on the boat, we managed to step on land, yet we did not know where exactly we were. Under these circumstances, my passport got lost, and then I had to exchange some other of my belongings to smugglers to get some money and a sort of defence weapon to continue my journey. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to survive and to successfully cross a forest to possibly get to a safer area.
This activity can be described as a simple game, although in reality, is based on the real-life experiences of millions of refugees fleeing war or persecution. Refugees are facing tough decisions and chance events in a quest to reach safety, reunite with loved ones, and rebuild their lives. The events and outcomes of each story depend on the decisions that the player makes, resulting in a potentially different experience every time.
How would you cope with being displaced and forced to travel miles from home with only what you can carry? Can you imagine being so desperate to escape that you pay a smuggler to help you? Can you imagine the terror of being caught by the army you were fleeing from? Could we survive being a refugee? Conflict and violence have separated millions of refugees from their loved ones. The nomadic existence of a refugee is unimaginable to most of us, but it is a reality for thousands of people around the world.
I now see my privilege of having a good education, my privilege of knowing that my family is alright and safe clearer than ever. I also identify the privilege of knowing that I have a place to sleep, that I have food to eat, and that I can rely on the health system of my country in one way or another. Taking almost all these basic needs for granted is a real privilege, and I see how there are millions of people that unfortunately cannot rely on that. There are millions of refugees that can only take uncertainty for granted, but that are also trying to keep hope that there will be a tomorrow with better opportunities - believing that there will be a tomorrow when, along with their families, they will be able to feel safe without the constant fear of having to run away.
This activity awakened in me a greater understanding of this issue that is still extremely difficult to imagine. A parallel reality that seems impossible, but that exists and persists in unimaginable dimensions.
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