The next generation

The end of the academic year is fast approaching. 

Over the last year Stories of Hope and Home have done 35 school visits to 28 different schools. We have performed pantomime and shared lunches and even done a little bit of sewing. Mostly, though, we have met children (and teachers) and shared stories with them. 

We have done so across Birmingham (and occasionally a little bit beyond). We have met children of all ages and abilities. We have met children who know from experience what it means to migrate, children who have been exploring this theme with their families or schools for quite some time and others for whom it is all very new. 

The incredible people I have the privilege of working with have stood up time and time again and courageously shared their reality, putting a human face to what it means to flee your home and seek sanctuary in the UK. I am in awe of their willingness to make themselves vulnerable and to share their stories with such dignity, grace and searing honesty. 

But however incredible they are, it takes two sides to make an encounter meaningful: and this post was always really meant to be not about them, but about the children.

Children from whom we encounter shocked faces and the occasional tricky question. Children from whom we unfailingly see warmth and compassion and generosity. Children from whom we witness incredible empathy and an inherent understanding of these human stories. 

Children who instantly recognise injustice and inhumanity. And who, in that recognition want to challenge and change it. Among the thousands of children and young people we have met, I don't think we have ever met a single one who has believed the current situation to be either fair or compassionate. And I don't think we have ever met a single one who has thought that the injustice and the hostility is either necessary or desirable. 

These children ... 

They get it. 

Every. Single. Time.

They get it and they want to do something about it. They want to make change and they believe that they can. They believe that something different is both preferrable and possible. 

It is a source of great hope. School visit days can be quite intense and exhausting. But despite that, I never leave a school feeling anything other than inspired and uplifted, encouraged and hopeful.

Perhaps it is simply the naivety of youth and they'll grow up to be no different. And yes, sure, some of their hopes and dreams and expectations are possibly unworkable and would need a few tweaks. 

But perhaps the next generation have also genuinely understood something those currently in power haven't. Perhaps they do and always will want something different to our current broken, hostile systems. Perhaps they really will, in fact create a better, fairer, more compassionate, more human society. 

I certainly hope so.