Noticeboard

The purpose of Refugee Week is to deliver positive educational messages that counter fear, ignorance and negative stereotypes of refugees, through arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees and promote understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary. FCRS is organising a number of events during the period to play our part in changing perceptions of refugees both at home and abroad.

If you live in the Shropshire area, we hope that you will be able to come along to some of the following:

Friday 11 June (12noon – 2pm)

SOUP LUNCH in Holy Trinity Church, Much Wenlock

Simple lunch. Display and short talks about FCRS.

Donations to FCRS

Friday 11 June – Friday 25 June

WINDOW DISPLAY in Wenlock Books, Much Wenlock

Books written by refugees, the experience of exile or living in another country.

Monday 14 June (9am – 3.30pm)

WORKSHOP FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN ON THEME OF REFUGE at Longnor Primary School

Including assemblies, stories, art work, African songs and circle dance. (not open to the public)

Tuesday 15 June – Wed 30 June

WINDOW DISPLAY in Library, Listley street, Bridgnorth

Display materials related to refugees, the Refugee Week Simple Acts campaign and FCRS.

Thursday 18 June (9am – 3.30pm)

WORKSHOP FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN ON THEME OF REFUGE at Corvedale Primary School

Iincluding assemblies, stories, art work, African songs and circle dance. (not open to the public)

Friday 25 June (6.30pm – 9.30pm)

FILM EVENING at Cardington Village Hall

British premier of ‘Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars’ - an award winning docu-film telling the remarkable and life-affirming story of a group of refugees from West Africa who form a band while living in a refugee camp. The film will be preceded by a display of work from local children who took part in the worshops on Refuge.

Entrance £3, drinks and light refreshments for sale. All proceeds to FCRS

Hi there,

On 16 May I’ll be running the Eyam Half Marathon in Derbyshire to raise money for the Conakry Refugee School in Guinea, West Africa.  It’s a thirteen mile run in total and meant to be one of the toughest in the UK – lots of lovely hills!  Please sponsor me – it’ll make those ghastly uphill stretches so much easier.  And it’s for an excellent cause.

The Conakry Refugee School in Guinea, West Africa, provides education and a fresh start for refugee children that have fled to Guinea from civil conflicts in Sierra Leone and Liberia.  Most have lost their families and witnessed terrible atrocities.  All are displaced and in desperate need of help.  The school has over 500 pupils at any one time.  There are always more children needing help and money is always short.

I’m proud to say that the charity was founded by friends of mine, Ruth and Mark Walmsley.  Their daughter, Tanya, was traveling in West Africa after leaving university in 2005.  Arriving in Guinea, she volunteered at the school only to find it faced imminent closure because there was no money to pay the rent on the premises.  She called her Mum and Dad for help – not wealthy people I assure you – who immediately wired £60 to pay the rent and stave of closure for one month.  Then they got serious, creating the Friends of Conakry Refugee School, which now funds the entire enterprise and is still administered by Ruth, Mark and a small team of enthusiastic volunteers.  The school receives no support from the Guinean government.

Running 13 miles is nothing compared to the effort, dedication and care that Ruth, Mark and Tanya have shown for these children so far away from us.  Do your bit.  However bad the recession has been for you and your family, these children have endured far worse.  Every little helps!

You can sponsor me directly via my page on the ‘Just Giving’ web site – www.justgiving.com/annie-garthwaite.  Or, just email me and let me know how much you’d like to donate.

Many thanks!

Annie

T:  01746 764909