Last Saturday night, using a simulation activity, 28 people had the opportunity to experience, in a very small way, some of the emotions and challenges faced by the millions of refugees around the world. The activity simulated refugees fleeing Afghanistan and crossing the border into a refugee camp in Pakistan.
While watching a slide show to familiarise themselves with life in Afghanistan the participants suddenly found themselves brutally "arrested" (some were "interrogated and tortured") and forced on a long march through a "minefield", walking in the dark, to the "Pakistan border".
At the border they were harassed (and even "killed") by antagonistic border guards. Once in Pakistan they had to pass language tests, receive treatment for wounds and malnourishment, build shelter, try to find family members, and seek to qualify for the meagre food rations provided by an aid organisation.
Even though the activity was simulated it was still emotionally powerful and many of the feelings experienced were much like those that would be felt by refugees - only for refugees its for real, its a thousand times worse, and you don't get to pack up and go home at 10pm.
The Swan Parish Youth, who organised the event, did a brilliant job of putting it on. They were highly organised and convincing in the roles they took on (border guards etc) but also very articulate in reflecting on their experiences during the debrief afterwards. To have such a mature and well-formed group of young people showing the way in our parish should be a cause for much pride in what we are doing.
Thanks to Helena and Laura for the hard work they put in to developing our SPY.
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