Migration and Refugees: Refugee Week Resources

This episode features 10-year-old Hamid from Eritrea who had to flee his country, and how he has found adjusting to life in the UK. Having had to leave behind his father who was later killed, Hamid describes the struggles of coming to terms with his father’s death, as well as settling into a new country. This is a compelling and moving series of short animated documentaries portraying the real-life stories of young people who have sought asylum. These stories are told by the children themselves, give a unique insight into their life. The story covers the heartbreaking circumstances of having to leave ones home and family members behind to seek safety from plights like war. This accessible and moving programme will be useful for all ages in trying to better understand the factors that contribute to people seeking asylum and the hardships they've endured in the process.

This episode tells the story of 10-year-old Ali from Afghanistan. As the war in Afghanistan escalated, Ali fled with his grandmother to Britain and was separated from his parents who were unable to leave. This film explores the pain of his separation, as well as what it was like to live in a foreign country where he did not speak the language and without knowing whether his parents were still alive. Despite now having contact with them, Ali and his parents have still not been reunited. Ali describes his hopes of one day seeing them again. This is a compelling and moving series of short animated documentaries portraying the real-life stories of young people who have sought asylum. These stories are told by the children themselves, give a unique insight into their life.

When Navid’s father’s life was in danger, he fled their home in Iran and came to the UK. A couple of years later, Navid and his mother followed, and travelled a long journey to England, mostly overland. Now 16, Navid describes the difficult journey he and his mother took when he was five, as well as how it felt adjusting to life in the UK.

This episode features 17-year-old Rachel who escaped her country of origin having suffered years of persecution because of her religion. After settling into life in the UK and enjoying her first experience of a normal childhood, she was suddenly sent to a detention center and then deported back to her country. Having escaped a second time to the UK, Rachel finally received a letter confirming she was allowed to stay in the country. Rachel intends to study law, so she can help others who have suffered in a similar way. This is a compelling and moving series of short animated documentaries portraying the real-life stories of young people who have sought asylum. These stories are told by the children themselves, give a unique insight into their life.