News - Empathy Action

Solidarity with Refugees

Last month Sevenoaks School ran a Refugee focused week. Featuring talks, workshops and with a curated range of book recommendations in the library, the school sought to stand in solidarity with refugees.

One important gesture of solidarity was made using Empathy Action’s Friendship with Syria bracelet.

Sevenoaks School placed a ‘mark up’ on the normal retail price of the bracelets. This additional revenue was directed to Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees who do so much important work resettling refugees in Sevenoaks itself. Through this, the school helped those re-settling in their home town and the makers of the bracelets themselves, who are displaced and living in Istanbul.

It was a brilliant use of the gifts we can provide. And Sevenoaks School is not alone.

Here’s some other acts of solidarity that have been explored by schools and event organisers with these stunning bracelets:

Have an event? Get in touch!

If you are interested in using these bracelets for your events (from conferences to children parties) or to encourage acts of solidarity please get in touch with our team. We love seeing our products being used in multiple acts of solidarity.

Our world is richer for such acts.”

It echoes our firm belief that the solution presented here to such a complex global issue can be based upon one idea that is rooted in empathy: choosing to be friends.

Festival bracelets for made by displaced Syrian Women for Livestock 2016

Meet Muna (maker of Livestock’s Yellow Bracelets)

The High Life

Over the last year, we have been working on developing a new immersive experience to sit alongside The Poverty Trap and Desperate Journeys. Named ‘The High Life’ it focuses on climate justice and the impact of global climate change. It is designed to be as flexible as possible with multiple options of delivery, to reflect new modes of working. These include in-person delivery by Empathy Action and the provision of a resource pack which can be used without our input.

‘The High Life’ includes the following elements:

It portrays daily life in two different countries, with participants divided between them.
It highlights how excessive consumption and waste in more economically developed countries impacts life chances in less economically developed countries.
Afterwards the participants meet to reflect on their experience and decisions.
Participants are encouraged to consider what action they personally will take to play some part in helping to combat climate change and reduce climate injustice.

The whole programme can be conducted within 2 hours.

We plan to launch this experience in the Summer and we’d love to hear from you now if you’re interested in taking part or even running a pilot next term.

Social Hackathon: Digital Empathy?

Since lockdown last year, video calls, home working, virtual and hybrid events have transformed the ways we work, learn, and gather together – phrases like “You’re on mute.” are likely to be around for a long time!

We’ve all learned that there are a host of challenges that come from working remotely. Body language is muted; conversations flow in a different way; video fatigue is real!

Yet this new way of working has presented new and exciting opportunities. Here at Empathy Action we’ve been asking ourselves:

Is Digital Empathy possible?
How can we combat video fatigue?
How can we invite people to step into others’ shoes with respect and meaningful impact?

In other words, can we craft an authentic empathy experience over digital waves? And if so, how?

The belief is where there are people there’s a potential for connection.”

UCL’s Social Hackathon

(A social hackathon is a creative collaboration between different groups to find solutions to social problems)

During February, we had a brilliant opportunity to answer these questions. We ran a Social Hackathon with students from University College London (UCL) to explore if and how empathy can be crafted over video conferencing.

Over the course of the day, via Zoom, fifteen volunteers took part in a super experimental version of our Desperate Journeys programme.

In order to anchor this experience, we used our Friendships From Syria bracelet, made by Syrian refugee women in Istanbul. Participants in the hackathon were invited to send them to friends as a tangible act of friendship, and to promote the idea of being friends with those who have been displaced.

Later, we ‘hacked’ at our questions together.

Is Digital Empathy possible?

Yes. It is possible and has great potential. We have learned that it requires us to adapt our approach to suit the new circumstances. We’ve realised the importance of the delivery of the invitation to empathise – virtually encouraging participants to take off their own shoes.

How do we combat video fatigue?

Prepare better: check connection issues, do warm up exercises and give a brief overview of what is going to happen in the meeting.

How can we invite people to step into others’ shoes with respect and meaningful impact?

At the close of the meeting, offer five things you can do to help right now e.g. send a bracelet to someone.

Crucially, we learnt that people have an appetite for what we aim to deliver: a genuine invitation to participate. To feel with others.

More Social Hackathons?

While we are looking at different ways of delivering digital empathy – we’re already working on a new Climate Justice programme to initially be delivered over Zoom – we loved exploring the Social Hackathon model.

We’re keen to try this out again, and/or run experiments with different groups who would like to work with us on insights and hacks.

We are delighted that people are keen to volunteer. As a group run entirely by volunteers, we are always on the lookout for help!

Get in touch if you are interested in our digital programmes or volunteering with us.

IWD Meet the Makers Special: Child Action Lanka

Throughout March, we are marking International Women’s Day by focusing on the women who make our gifts.

A few months ago, we introduced you to Florence, Lorna and Mary, who live in a remote region of Kenya and craft the juggling balls we sell.

Today, we travel to Sri Lanka to meet the women who make our sari balls, newspaper pencils and purses. Debbie Edirisinghe is Founding Director of Child Action Lanka (CAL). The charity rescues children off the streets and helps them and their families to break the cycle of poverty. In addition, Debbie and her team give refuge to women who are victims of domestic abuse and need a safe place to go with their children.

International Women’s Day is a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women all around the world. It also serves as a rallying cry for gender parity, and meeting our makers in Sri Lanka brings home just how important it is to keep talking about women’s struggle for equality.

We asked Debbie to tell us what life is like for the women they take care of:

EA: How many women are at the safe house and how long (generally) do they remain?

DE: The numbers vary from time to time (anywhere between 5 and 10) with women being sent from courts, hospitals, social services etc… we generally try to help them get back on their feet within 3-6 months. However, in some instances when the situation is really bad and security is an issue they do remain for as long as a court case exists or for as long as it may not be safe for them to be on their own.

EA: Where in Sri Lanka are the women based? Can you describe the environment?

DE: The location is in the central province … [and] kept discreet due to the security that the women need. It’s a beautiful serene house with lots of space and nature.

EA: What is daily life like for the women – from morning until night (do they cook and eat together); what are their responsibilities?

DE: They are all on rosters and share responsibilities of cooking, cleaning, taking care of kids and in some cases infants. Some are taken for legal assistance, medical care, counseling and therapy depending on their need. They have a time of relaxing, watching television, sharing thoughts and discussions, as well as production that helps income generate both for themselves and towards the expenses of the refuge.

EA: How does CAL/ the refuge/ their work make a difference to them?

DE: CAL is able to maintain the relationship with the women after they leave as we have centres across the island. Women … are provided with the necessary skills, jobs and support to do so by CAL. Their children often continue to attend a CAL centre making it a good way for us to maintain the relationship and make sure the women are doing ok.

EA: What is it like when the women work together – can you describe in a sentence or two what the atmosphere is like?

DE: Tough! It’s bringing many broken pieces together. Hurting people hurt others… this is often the case, jealousy and mistrust are all issues that we keep having to deal with.

EA: What materials are the products made from?

DE: Paper, cardboard, fabric, leather, beads, fruit, vegetable, etc.

EA: How have CAL/the women (and their children) been affected by COVID-19?

DE: Domestic violence has skyrocketed, mental health and suicide have been huge challenges. Being locked down as a victim with the abuser is awful. CAL has had to take in children and provide them with residential care owing to COVID-19. And that’s new. We’ve never done that in our 15 year history. It’s a new learning curve… and we are learning on the job!

EA: Are there any individuals who you’d like to shine the spotlight on?

DE: Nirmala* (name changed) was a young woman who came to teach at our centre. Having been widowed at the age of 23 and three months pregnant, she never quite got over the sudden loss of her husband. Over Covid when the kids were in residential care and the refuge needed help with more victims being sent, Nirmala sacrificed her own trauma and sorrow, brought her little son and came to offer care alternately to the women in the refuge and the kids in shelter care.

As she is new to this field she struggles but finds courage to put her own troubles aside and take care of those she feels have a bigger need. We so deeply appreciate her commitment as she smiles between her own tears to offer courage to those she wants to be a shoulder to cry on.

*She doesn’t want her picture sent ( which is so typical of her – never wanting any limelight)

Debbie and her team do amazing work to help the women recover from their individual traumas: they work through past events and enable them to move forwards. They offer the women protection and all the practical and emotional support they need in order to rebuild their lives.

By crafting the sari balls, newspaper pencils and purses, the women’s self-esteem grows; they earn an income, and they learn life-changing skills. The items they make are much more than gifts; they empower the women and give them hope.

At a time when cases of domestic abuse have increased, every single purchase makes a difference.

As CAL quotes: “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Mohandas Gandhi

With huge thanks to Debbie Edirisinghe, and we wish you all a very Happy International Women’s Day 2021!

#ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021 #empathyaction #empathystories

Becoming Anti-Racist

Following the events of last year, many people were saying:

“Being not racist isn’t enough”.

Including schools.

In late October, the Assistant Headteacher of Four Elms Primary School reached out to us to talk about the school’s Anti-Racist initiative. The school wanted to talk about racism and the attitudes faced by refugees in our country.

They wanted to discuss the effects of prejudice, and how it can be challenged and changed.

By working together and choosing to use empathy, we were able to deepen and expand the conversation they had begun. Our handicrafts – specifically the friendship bracelet crafted by displaced Syrian women – helped the school community to focus on raising awareness of issues facing people of colour, and refugees. In addition, the school also raised enough funds to help a family in Jordan displaced by the Syrian conflict. Their collective efforts culminated in a powerful and thought-provoking video in which Year 6 children shared work inspired by the initiative – pictures and poems etc, to their families and friends and wider school community. It was a privilege to help them in their ongoing efforts to become the anti-racists that our world needs.

And Four Elms Primary School helped us, as we adapted and became more creative in delivering Empathy Action 2.0.

It starts with a conversation…

We’d love to use our expertise and creativity to help you, your school or workplace with your ideas and conversations. We have a wealth of resources – handicrafts, stories, micro-exercises, fundraisers – and a wellspring of ideas. We can help you curate your own empathy experiments and work with you (virtually at the moment, hopefully in person soon!) to deliver these programmes. Please do contact us for more information.

Further ideas:

Festivals using Refugee made bracelets for the entrance wristband.

Parents sponsor Refugee Made Bracelets for their big summer event.

Festival bracelets for made by displaced Syrian Women for Livestock 2016