Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

An online game where you follow the path of a Syrian man who tries to find his brother in Turkey, before discovering he is at a refugee camp in Greece. Have to consider options at various points and decide what action the man should take (eg how to earn some money, who to approach for help). Makes the girls think and discuss what action they should take. Child-appropriate content. Game presented by Danish Red Cross.

Suitable for online guiding while in lockdown, as an alternative to a refugee simulation practical activity.

Resources

Website: http://interactive.brothersacrossborders.com/en/#Home

Instructions

I first shared the definition of a refugee and we talked about what each part of the definition means. Showed them some pictures of refugee camps.

For the game I split the girls into 3 breakout rooms with the patrol leader sharing her screen (need to share sound, too). Gave instructions that when they reached the "final dilemma" page they make a decision but don't click on the answer. All patrols returned to the main Zoom room where the patrol leaders shared what decision they had made for the final dilemma and why. Then had each patrol leader share her screen with the unit and each patrol leader clicked on a different answer. This allowed the whole unit to see the outcomes from all three decisions, and then discuss as a unit. Girls agreed none of the answers had a completely positive outcome.
(final dilemma is return to Syria, stay in Turkey, go to Greece to look for brother)

Followed with a couple of videos of refugees talking about their journeys. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32057601. One video is about trying to cross the border smuggled in a tanker full of hot liquid chocolate! Really caught the girls' attention.


Similar online games tried by leader but not used with girls:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32057601. (If the wrong path was chosen the game ended very quickly and had to be restarted.)

Phone app "Finding Home - A Refugee's Journey" from UNHCR is a more complex story suitable for Rangers. The app simulates the phone of a 16yo Rohingya girl, so the game shows her text messages, photos, her phone battery running out, plays audio files to represent phone calls. Format could catch the attention of teenagers and make them feel they are really part of it. Some content not suitable for Guides. (A man offers her free rent in exchange for sharing his bed, when she refuses he first tries to manipulate her, and then shouts abuse at her.)

Tags

• online
• Refugee
• virtual

Badge Links

This activity doesn't complete any badge requirements