Refugee Week – Day One

June 20, 2016

At some point in 1941, a small family left their home and almost everything they owned, in Java and travelled to India where the father joined the Indian Army.  In time the mother, with two small girls, took the SS Stratheden to sail across the world, round the coast of Africa and finally arriving in Scotland to live out the rest of the war. In February 1942 the father was one of the many who were captured at the Fall of Singapore.  Fortunately for them, at some point in the Autumn of 1945 the father finally returned and the reunion was joyful, the family was together again.

So why do I believe that it is important to allow people to move to safety? Because the older girl is my mother, her story has become our story.  A story that resonates every day for me and for all who have a glimpse of the threat of war, the violence that it entails, the challenge of travel in dangerous circumstances, the pain of separation and the joy of reunion.

Let’s celebrate Refugee Week.

-Adele