Dingley students taste refugee life

Students Daniel, Tommy and Jordan prepare their own food.

IT’S not often primary school students spend a day living off rations in makeshift shelters. But Dingley Primary School took up the challenge to learn about the lives of refugees.
The school was transformed into a refugee camp last week so students could walk in the shoes of people fleeing war or persecution.
“We’ve been learning about where refugees come from, what makes them refugees and what we can do as individuals to help,” teacher Dianne Colacino said.
“It’s about encouraging students to develop empathy for the plight of others. They have really taken it on board.”
After arriving at school on Wednesday, the students walked local streets to imitate the trek to a refugee camp.
At the camp they were grouped into families, questioned by “guards” and given food rations.
“The students set up their family shelters with tarps and had to barter and negotiate for things they needed,” Ms Colacino said.
“I’ve heard comments like ‘we’re so lucky’ or ‘when I’m hungry I say I’m starving but I’m not really’.”

Source: http://moorabbin-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/dingley-students-taste-refugee-life/