June 12, 2019
All We Can are recognising Refugee Week, beginning the 17 June 2019. We want to help you get involved with 8 ways you can make a difference.
Refugee Week first began in 1998 to challenge the negative stereotypes of refugees in the media and to address the hostility refugees can so often receive from society. The aim of the week, which can be found on the Refugee Week website, is to “create better understanding between communities and to encourage successful integration, enabling refugees to live in safety and continue making a valuable contribution”
In the world today there are 25.9 million registered refugees. All We Can are currently working in Jordan and Bangladesh to provide support to Syrian and Rohingya refugees respectively that have been forced to leave their home country due to war or persecution.
1. Double your impact to help Syrian refugees in Jordan
Since war broke out over 8 years ago in Syria, more than 5.6 million people have fled their homeland. The ravages of war have not only caused great destruction across the country, but have left an indelible mark on those forced to leave. Children in particular face nightmares and psychological issues following the trauma they have experienced.
We believe that children have the right to special protection and help as refugees. They have the right to enjoy their childhood, and the opportunity to play and enjoy life as any other child would. All We Can is supporting Syrian refugee children in Jordan, children like ten year old Sibaa (pictured), by helping to provide safe places to play and to receive psychosocial support. Sibaa has been attending a children’s safe space where she can play in peace, benefit from art therapy and participate in activities that develop their life-skills. in skill building activities.
This month, you can double your donation to our Syrian Crisis Appeal helping children in Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan. Help Syrian children like Sibaa to heal, grow, and enjoy their childhood.
Thanks to a generous supporter, the first £5000 All We Can receives for this appeal will be doubled. All money received will be restricted to the Syrian Crisis Appeal helping more children like Sibaa to receive the support they need to fulfil their potential.
To take advantage of this special opportunity to double your impact, you can donate online at allwecan.org.uk/refugee, by calling 0207 467 5132, or by making a cheque payable to ‘All We Can’ (please clearly mark that it is for the Syrian Crisis Appeal)
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2. Watch a video
North Star Fading is an excellent video to help you understand the journey so many people attempt to take to reach safety. The ‘zoom comic’ is inspired by true testimonies of Eritrean refugees, who travelled across various countries in Africa and Europe in an attempt to save their own lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riLMnXkICsA
3. Join a Sanctuary group
City of Sanctuary UK has developed a network of groups across villages, towns and cities in the UK to welcome refugees. Visit the website and click on groups to discover what is happening in your local area and how you can get involved.
4. Take action
The Joint Public Issues Team are shedding light on the hostile environment that the government have created for those trying to prove their right to stay in the country. Discover the action you can take as an individual or a church.
5. Pray
Take time to pray for refugees and displaced people. Pray for those who are without a place they can truly call home and had to flee for their own safety. Pray that they can find a form of refuge, and peace. You can use a prayer for displaced people read by Inderjit Bhogal OBE
6. A simple act
Visit the Refugee Week website and do one of their Simple Acts. They have a whole host of small and simple things you can do to help you learn more and think about the refugees in the world today.
7. Further Reading
All We Can are currently working to provide safe spaces for Rohingya refugee women in Cox’s Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh. These are places women can come in confidence for counselling and socialisation, they can also learn skills such as reading, writing and sewing. All We Can are also supporting work that gives women safe places to bathe and to use the toilet. Read about Laura Cook’s personal experience in the camp and what this work means for women.
8. Get digital
Be sure to follow All We Can’s social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout Refugee Week. All We Can will be sharing stories from refugees, facts and Bible verses to help you engage further with thinking about displacement, refuge and welcoming ‘the stranger’.
