A group of 5
young refugees and asylum-seekers aged 16-20 from Birmingham have written and recorded a song
which they hope will spread a message of peace, love, friendship and
togetherness to other young people. The young people will present their song at
a celebration for the Muslim festival of Eid on Thursday 24September.
The young
people composed their song at a 3-day workshop organised by The Children's
Society’s BUMP project (Befriending Unaccompanied Minors Project) in Birmingham. The workshop included
singing lessons, song writing and percussion sessions in a professional
recording studio.
With great
support from a music teacher / singer songwriter and a recording studio artist,
the young people were able to produce a brilliant sound track and were also
involved in playing the instruments in the background to create an original
sound.
The talented
young people wrote all of the words themselves and sing in English as well as
their own language.The group are from Afghanistan, Iraq,
China and Congo.
They wanted to
produce a song that tells of their experiences of being a refugee or asylum
seeker in the UK.
Melissa
Perring, the project coordinator of BUMP, comments “I am so proud of this group
of innovative young people.It is
absolutely brilliant to see what they have accomplished; when I heard the track
I was completely blown away. All of the young people attending our project have
come a long way; some weren’t very confident but since they have attended here
there has been a dramatic change.”
BUMP supports
unaccompanied asylum seekers and refugees to meet and develop friendships both
with other young people from similar backgrounds and volunteer befrienders from
their local communities within the UK. Through BUMP’s weekly programme
of activities, young people are enabled to develop their English language and
independent living skills, their confidence and ability to access services.
The Children’s Society is a leading
children’s charity committed to making childhood better for all children in the
UK;
The
Children’s Society is a national charity driven by the belief that every child
deserves a good childhood. To that end we provide vital help and understanding
for those children who face the greatest danger, discrimination or
disadvantage; children who are unable to find the support they need anywhere
else.
