Learning about Syria – and Arabic – in west Cornwall

A morning (15 May 2023) in brilliant sunshine at Madron Primary School in west Cornwall – talking about a refugee’s life and learning a few words of Arabic.
A stunning view overlooking Mount’s Bay from the playground in this tiny school – scooters lined up here in the bike rack. Rawda Alater spoke about her life in Syria and subsequent experience of the UK in Truro. She arrived about six years ago as a refugee from Syria, and has now gained British citizenship. Children asked about the differences between Syria and Cornwall – in particular, the food the religion and the weather!
Rawda very kindly wrote children’s names in Arabic and we learned how to say ‘Hello’, How are you?’ ‘Thank you’ and ‘Goodbye’ in her language. To welcome any new students who might arrive from an Arabic-speaking country.
This is part of I PACKED THIS MYSELF, our project funded by Cornwall Council. We are working to break down prejudice and increase understanding of people from different backgrounds – from overseas – who have come to Cornwall to live and work.