More than 110 million people have been forced to flee their homes, according to UNHCR. What would it be like to leave everything behind, cross borders and settle in a new country?
In late August 2023, students at Bulli High School were guided through a simulated refugee journey during the Refugee Challenge.
Local people from refugee backgrounds and Year 9 International Studies students worked together to raise awareness among fellow students about refugee issues.
“In the next 15 to 20 years, they could be the policy makers of this world,” said community member, scholar and author Dr John Idriss Lahai, about the students.
Dr Lahai stopped by to share some of his experience from being a child soldier in Sierra Leone to going down the academic route and working with communities. Teaming up with Zinah, Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion with NSW Football Clubs, he also managed to fit in a game of ‘football’ with students Zac and Tom.
The Refugee Challenge was a collaboration between City of Wollongong, Bulli High School and MCCI.
This Sunday, September 10, 2023, Balinese Spice Magic will hold a Mesangkepan soup kitchen in aid of MCCI Refugee Support (formerly known as SCARF), who provides settlement support to people from refugee backgrounds living in the Illawarra. Read more here
