Refugee Week 2021

The thing is...every week is #refugeeweek

Every week humans around the globe are displaced by violence, climate change, and supplies shortages and are forced to seek refuge. It’s crucial to remember that the only thing preventing so many others from also bearing the label of refugee (so far) is sheer luck.

We ask that at the beginning of this year’s Refugee Week, we all take time to reflect on this label of “refugee” - it is often used to create the illusion of “other” and marginalise fellow global citizens who are in their time of greatest need.

We believe we can shift this narrative together and make it possible for us to see our own image in one another. So let’s dig into those conversations, read those books, and attend those events to connect more fully to our global family. After all, we are #oneplanet #onepeople and #wecannotwalkalone
#loveisradical

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As well as using the #refugeeweek platform to highlight and really listen to refugee stories, we feel it’s also important to put a spotlight on good allyship. So on day 2 of #RefugeeWeek2021 we want to thank all those supporting organisations who have been incredible #allies every week of the year.

Thank you to @allflutesplus for providing us with all of the flutes and woodwind supplies we could ever desire (including this snazzy @pearlflute backpack which went down a TREAT with this young man).

Thank you to the team at the @vamuseum spearheaded by the extraordinary Faunsia, with whom we have had the greatest joy to perform and create for refugee week every year since our founding.

Thank you to the entire family of the @buddhismcroydon for opening your doors and hearts to us when we were in greatest need.

Thank you to @orchestrasforall who supported us at our start and who continue to welcome our young people with open arms.

Thank you to @crushedbeancroydon our local safe space which is the best example of communities for communities that we’ve ever seen.

and thank you to the @museumofcroydon and their fearless leader Marie with whom we love making and who get 👏 it 👏 done 👏

We would be highly remiss if we didn’t also thank all of the incredible teams that make up our local #CroydonYouthRefugeeNetwork - working with you day in and day out is an honour, and and it makes us feel less alone in our fight for justice. Special shoutouts to the indomitable teams @refugeecouncil Children’s Section (our mothership!), @britishredcross RNB project, and @weareyoungroots Young Roots for all of the daily collaboration, solidarity, and commitment to our shared community and global family ❤️

It’s really does take a village...

Thank you all for your continued work, support, interest, and principles! Without you we would feel a lot less hopeful 🙏 In solidarity and with love, the whole PFP team 🌍

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Want to engage with #RefugeeWeek2021 but not sure where to start? We've compiled a list of 10 books to help you better understand the experiences of those seeking refuge across the world.

1. Lubna and Pebble by Isabel Allende @allendeisabel
2. A Long Petal of the Sea by Wendy Meddour
3. The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya
4. Sea Prayer by @khosseini
5. Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb
6. Mehr Meer by Ilma Rakusa
7. When the Rain Clouds Gather by Bessie Head
8. The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney
9. Where Will I Live? by Rosemary McCarney
10. The Refugee by Viet Thanh Nguyen

You can also support our work with refugees directly by making a donation towards our work. Click the link in our bio to find out more ☝️

#RefugeeWeek2021 #WeCannotWalkAlone #readtolearn