I was struggling to choose a refugee camp to focus on for my assignment but in the end the camp chose me, thanks to a beautiful four year old boy named Muhammed Ali. After having ‘met’ Muhammed while doing my research, I immediately wanted to learn more about where he lived, what the conditions were like, what sort of facilities were in the camp and what opportunities did he have to play, to learn, to be creative.

Alexandria in Greece is where I have found my refugee camp, Muhammed’s home for the last four years. So much needs to be done for all the children in Alexandria. It is a camp that has drawn the attention of some wonderful organisations and people who are doing amazing things there to help not only the children but the adults also. They are working to do their best to make these people feel settled for the time they have to spend in the camp, to give them access to basic necessities of food, shelter, water etc, to provide some simple educational resources and to help them with the process of relocating to and often reuniting with their loved ones in another country.

After reading of the the work being done there, I have been inspired to think about my part in helping to make a difference. I have been influenced by Teachers Without Borders to choose their Child-Friendly Spaces Initiative and I have made connections with other organisations doing similar work. I have been thinking of ideas that could be implemented in Alexandria to help Muhammed and all the young children at his camp. I would like them to have access and opportunities to flourish in Learning Spaces.

I am now trying to do “small things in a big way” Napoleon Hill, Writer, 1883-1970.

I am beginning to formulate my own ideas for a Vision and Mission statement as part of my assignment. In everything that I am formulating I…

As I research about refugees and their plight around the world my previous post was filled with sadness. This post is filling me with hope as I look at the work a myriad of wonderful organisations and people are doing to make a difference.

Education is paramount in all the organisations. Each has a very definite direction on how to ensure refugee children receive quality education, often despite less than favourable conditions.

Below I have included general statements from the organisations with which I have made a connection. I am now looking more specifically at education and becoming inspired by what they are doing.

I’m getting my ‘happy’ on!

This wonderful video of Syrian children in Za’atari Camp affirms that despite the sadness and often overwhelming sense of despair these children might be feeling, they can also still get their ‘happy’ on!

Hope this makes you get your ‘happy’ on too?

Teachers Without Borders Mission and Vision states… Teachers Without Borders connects teachers to information and each other in order to make a difference in their communities — on a global scale.  Our tagline:  Teachers.  Leaders.  Worldwide.

International Rescue Committee “Better Aid” Strategy states… The world’s more than 60 million displaced people, the highest number ever recorded, require more than “aid as usual.” Their growing and increasingly complex needs mandate a transformation—a creative rethinking—in the global humanitarian response. The International Rescue Committee has taken on this challenge.

Refugee Support Europe Mission states… We aim to improve the livelihoods and outcomes for refugees by prioritising dignity and co-operation. We believe that if we are going to achieve that we need to adhere to high professional and ethical standards. Human dignity is right at the heart of our activities.

UNHCR Primary Purpose states… is to safeguard the rights and well-being of people who have been forced to flee. Together with partners and communities, we work to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. We also strive to secure lasting solutions. 

I have spent many hours today reading about refugee camps all around the world.

Every single one overwhelms me with sadness and despair.

This story in Idomeni is one example of the horror these children are enduring to try and move out of the camps and meet up with family or to try and change their circumstances for a better future.

I cannot comprehend the horrors they are enduring.

I can only hope and pray that they receive the support, care and ultimately the love they so deserve and should indeed expect, as a human right.

FOOTNOTE I have just come across this article in The Guardian that less than three weeks after the previous report (linked above), Idomeni Camp has been shut down. Many are now living in worse conditions. Many are now trying more than ever to flee. Many more are now disappearing.

Sadness and despair overwhelms me once more.

I wonder where all the children have gone? I wonder if they are safe?

FOOTNOTE  3 November 2016    I now know that some families are safe. Thank you to my fellow student at Teach21C for her link to this video.

Education is an essential right, which permits each person to receive instruction and to blossom socially. The right to an education is vital for the economic, social and cultural development of all societies. Taken from  HUMANIUM – Together for Children’s Rights 

The importance of a child being able to learn is paramount, anywhere in the world. When we realise how many children do not have access to education because they are refugees, we should take a stance to make a difference. Children who are fortunate to perhaps have a school in their camp may not have the possibility to learn in a safe environment or have suitable resources. How do we improve their learning? How do we engage with children in less than desirable circumstances when we are comfortable living and learning on the other side of the world?

Watching Clouds over Sidra certainly made me gather my thoughts about the expectations and hopes these children have for a brighter future. They are living in camps under difficult circumstances and having a safe place to go to be able to learn is their basic right. They need to be able to learn in a camp in the same way they would learn in their homeland.

So what do I consider to be the fundamentals of education for a child in the future? The exact same things for my own children as for refugee children. Their circumstances and environment may be different but that should have no bearing on their expectations to receive a quality education.

CHILDREN NEED…

• a safe environment where they are welcomed, valued, included
• to have their voice heard
• access to appropriate resources
• to be respected by their peers and their educators
• to have education be inclusive of boys and girls
• opportunities to be creative in all forms of the arts
• models of positive mindsets
• the ability to achieve success as an individual
• open communication between school and home
• to have fun

CHILDREN DON’T NEED…

• their success measured only by standardised tests
• bullying of any kind from adults or children
• to be exposed to any form of discrimination
• models of negative mindsets
• lack of opportunities to be able to succeed

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FOR NEW LEARNING SPACE DESIGNS INCLUDE…

• children being part of the design process
• physical spaces to be mobile to cater for different needs, situations, circumstances
• consideration given to wellbeing programs
• availability and access to up-to-date technology
• suitable funding for technology and resources
• opportunities for connections to be made locally and globally
• ability to develop empathy by children and adults to all learning/living situations
• exposure to creative ways to teach and learn

The Six Learning Spaces, as documented in an earlier post, would all have valuable insights in helping to establish these and many more considerations for learning in a refugee camp. Developing an eCoP/CoP would be paramount in the success of any educational programs being implemented.

Children can develop their understanding of their Personal Space and their Liminal Space. They can be in a class/school environment that facilitates quality learning. They can have opportunities to work in a group, collaborative and cooperative setting. They can develop their skills and exposure to technology to be a 21st century eLearner. Finally, they can have the ability to connect to anyone, anywhere beyond their camp to gain further experiences and insights to compliment their educational needs.

Now to unwrap each child’s gift of learning and education.