For our social inquiry this term we are learning about the lives of refugees and the struggles that they go through. On Tuesday the senior syndicate went for a walk around the ‘Red Zone’ to experience what it might be like as a refugee fleeing from their country. While we were walking a teacher from our group would yell things like “DROP, SINGLE FILE, DISPERSE and TAKE COVER!” So we could understand how frightening and scary it might be for refugees trying to escape a war zone.
When we arrived in the middle of nowhere, we had to do a range of things that might be experienced by a refugee such as: try to understand a different language (Mrs Rodricks gave commands in Hindi), get split up into hutt groups and given a handful of delicious rice while we spent time in a roleplayed refugee camp, find bottles while you’re blindfolded and build a shelter with pieces of tarp, bungy cords and rope for over 20 people ( Mr Adams said that red house built the best shelter which was cool).
Overall this was an astounding, breathtaking experience and we now understand more about the plight and experiences refugees go through.
I felt sad because I knew that people had to go through things like this in their lives (Jessica).
I felt sad because I know that people around the world have had to run and hide from so many people who are out to hurt or harm them (Hayley).
By Hayley Reid and Jessica Bull