Throughout the last academic year, UCL students were busy fundraising and volunteering in response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
When Camden charity Hopscotch put out a call for volunteers to support Afghan refugees placed in local accommodation in September, two teams of UCL students stepped forwards. The UCL Fun Team – who usually run play activities for children in local hospitals – offered to run their programme for refugee families. Meanwhile, UCL Impact Initiative set up conversational English support for adult refugees. The groups have continued their projects throughout the year, providing invaluable support to families who’ve experienced such a massive upheaval and who are trying to adapt to a new life in the UK.
Building on this work, this year’s Student Cultural Arts Showcase at the UCL Bloomsbury Theatre was dedicated to Afghanistan. The showcase itself was rich with music and dance from around the globe! We had amazing performances from our Dance, CSSA, Jazz, Salsa, Kpop and Live Music societies, ranging from a belly dance solo to student bands performing songs in a variety of different languages. It was an evening of vibrant art and a real celebration of the global community at UCL.
The event – the finale of Students’ Union’s International Festival – raised over £1200 for Hopscotch’s work with Afghan refugees in Camden, and for the British Red Cross’s Afghan Crisis appeal.
Ilyas Benmouna, Student’s Union UCL’s Activity & Engagement officer 2021-22, said “UCL has an large amount of students from every corner of the world from so many different amazing cultures, and the cultural showcase exemplified that in what was a great event, all while raising money to support Afghan refugees in the UK amidst the Afghan crisis.”
Clare Conroy from British Red Cross said, “We would like to thank UCL for their kindness. Our network of staff and 40,000 volunteers are working hard to support families through the multiple crises they’re facing right now. Our staff and volunteers have also been welcoming people arriving here from Afghanistan– providing them emotional and practical help when they need it most. The generosity of students at UCL will help us continue to support people from Afghanistan.”
Isabelle Terrisson, Head of Programmes at Hopscotch said, “The Fun Team have provided a space and opportunity for the children that they lacked and desperately required: to enjoy, be heard and express themselves in a safe, positive and creative way. Meanwhile, the Impact Initiative sessions have been informative and fun in equal measure. Moreover, every member of both teams has exemplified the best of humanity.”
Whilst it has dropped down the news agenda, the Afghan Crisis continues – exacerbated by the recent deadly earthquake. British Red Cross and Hopscotch are still taking donations – see the links below.
Links