A reflection on Human Rights Day 2020
The people we meet in Calais have crossed the Sahara desert and survived the hell of Libya. They’ve fled persecution in Iran. They’ve escaped brutal conflict in Yemen and Sudan. At every stage their human rights are denied to them. In their home countries, on their terrible journeys, and when they arrive in France and the UK. Their freedoms of life, liberty and love are under attack. Today is #HumanRightsDay. All over the world people will reflect on the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, forged by world leaders in the aftermath of World War II. …
London refugees enjoy day out with games and tours
When we took refugees in East London for a day out in the park this week, we discovered something shocking. Some of them said they hadn’t left their hotel in weeks. One guy told us his mental health was so poor he hadn’t gone outside in a month. An Iranian boy hadn’t left the hotel in three months because he thought he would be arrested if he walked outside without an ID card. At the park, he told us he really missed feeling the grass between his toes. The younger guys were so thrilled about having a kickabout at the …
Warmth, dignity and rainbows in today’s Calais distribution
We just had such a reenergising distribution. After days of heavy rain, the sun finally came out during our afternoon in Calais and we were greeted by this incredible rainbow while setting up our services. It provided the perfect backdrop to our day and lifted everyone’s mood after so much gloomy weather. One refugee and I even taught each other how to say ‘rainbow’ in English and Arabic – قوس قزح, or qus qazah. While the sun was shining we distributed base layer packs to more than 150 people. Because of how sodden the ground has been for the past …
Shop ethical this Christmas with gifts that give twice
How about an ethical gift this Christmas? Visit the Care4Calais Christmas Shop for a range of special presents for your loved ones. From beautiful vouchers that directly help refugees to Paddington merch and exclusive refugee artwork, shop with the added warmth of knowing that every gift makes this winter a little more bearable for refugees. …