The project was part of the skill-building workshops titled The Walk - The Journey of little Amal. Through this theme, students became aware of the difficulties faced by refugees, especially children. Inspired by their experiential learning in the workshop, they decided to create a podcast to share the story of Amal, a young refugee girl, with the world. 
The goal of this project was for the narration to become part of a virtual tour or an escape room experience, allowing participants to understand the hardships refugee children endure until they find a safe and suitable place to grow up.

The Journey of Little Amal

Good evening, dear visitor. I am Amal, an 11-year-old girl from Syria.

Together, we will take a long walk... the journey I embarked on to search for my lost family. But let's take things step by step.

Throughout this journey, I will give you important clues that are essential for reaching the end successfully. My voice will guide your steps.

So, let's begin.

I was a cheerful but shy little girl. I lived with my brother, my parents, and my grandparents. My childhood was happy. I remember playing carefree with the neighborhood children... I remember the sounds of people passing by in the morning...

Then, one day, a deafening sound echoed through the air. Then sirens. From the radio, we heard that war had broken out. Everything suddenly turned dark around me. A bomb destroyed the school I attended. We quickly gathered our things and fled. As we left, I turned back and saw the key still in the door. Our house was destroyed. I hope the key is still somewhere in the rubble. I hope you find it and bring it back to me.

That same day, we decided to leave the country. We would cross Turkey on foot and then take a boat to Greece. Twenty of us crammed into a small boat at night and set off for Greece.

Suddenly, in the open sea, a storm broke out. I held my mother's hand in one hand and a photograph of my family in the other. Please, if you find it, keep it safe until the end.
Look around you - the storm hasn't  calmed, and huge waves rise before us. I lost consciousness, and when I woke up, I found myself in a fisherman's boat - without my mother. By dawn, we arrived in Chios. We stayed in a refugee camp. Things there were not as I expected. We lived in tents without heating, toilets, or kitchens. Fortunately, some locals came to the camp to bring us food. 
After some time, we were told we had to move to Athens.

I had no money, no food, no water. All I wanted was to find my mother - my mema, as I called her in Syria.

From Athens, we traveled to Patras and then took a ship to Ancona. My fellow refugees tried to comfort me, but all I could think about was how to find my mother.

In Italy, our names were registered in lists to help locate our families. In the meantime, we were given temporary accommodation in a shelter. They told me to go to the refugee office on Wednesday to ask about my mother.

I woke up filled with anxiety and anticipation. As I walked to the office, I passed the Colosseum and was amazed by its size. I never thought I would see it, but now that I had, I wished I were home with my family instead.

A few minutes later, I arrived at the refugee office. A staff member called my name.

They told me my mother was possibly in England. After preparing my documents, I was able to travel as an unaccompanied minor to Switzerland and then to France.

When I heard the news, I burst into tears of joy. But soon after, I felt immense sadness, realizing how far away she was.

In Paris, I found a place where many children like me stayed. The locals were kind to us and tried to make us feel better. Doctors visited us and gave us clean clothes. It was a beautiful city. I still remember the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. I watched people walking together in groups. But the pain of loneliness was heavy.

I stayed in a refugee center and ate at soup kitchens run by charities. They gave each of us a number... No one called me by my name anymore. I was no longer a person, just a number... 3227.

Through the cold and the rain, I wandered with little food until I reached Belgium. Then, it was the sea again, and finally - England.

If you take one step forward, you will find yourself in the land of the British. But for me, it took about 8,000 kilometers. Does that even matter now? This country is beautiful. A huge Welcome sign greeted us, and I immediately felt the warmth of love surrounding me.

A woman approached me:

"Your name, please?"

I hesitated and softly replied, "Amal."

"Miss Amal, I believe I know where your mother is."

And now, you must help me reunite with my mother.

In your hands, you hold a key, a framed photograph, and a number. Use your clues wisely and remember everything I have taught you.

I am sure you will succeed... You must succeed!

Greek, Modern

Make it Heard Contest in Radio Message Category

Kanto nakoustei radio spot 

The Journey of Little Amal

The new information system of the European School Radio was developed in the framework of the European program

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