During this live event, we will explore Dina Nayeri’s book, The Waiting Place, where she shares her own experiences of seeking sanctuary alongside those of children living in a refugee camp in Greece, where the book is set.

The Waiting Place offers an unflinching look at ten young lives suspended outside of time – and bravely proceeding anyway. Each lyrical passage moves the reader from one story to the next, revealing the dreams, ambitions, and personalities of each displaced child. The stories are punctuated by intimate photos, followed by the author’s reflections on life in a refugee camp. The book is an urgent call to change how we teach young people about the nature of home and safety.

Join Dina to help your pupils better understand the experiences of refugees and encourage them to think about how to create a culture of welcome in your classroom and the wider community. Schools that register for this event will receive a digital copy of an extract of the book to use before or after the event.

This webcast is ideal for pupils aged 7-9 (Year 3-4 in England & Wales, P4-5 students in Scotland).

This live event forms part of A Day of Welcome, a day of solidarity and learning in schools that aims to build a culture of welcome and understanding for refugees and asylum seekers. This celebration is designed to support schools and families in marking Refugee Week (16-22 June) and to send a clear message that for those in need of sanctuary, our communities are welcoming places.

By registering to take part in the webcast, you are participating in A Day of Welcome. VNET will share your contact details with the team at A Day of Welcome who will be in touch with further activities and ideas that you could use as a complement to the webcast in order to mark A Day of Welcome and Refugee Week.

Thanks to our partners in this event:

Schools of Sanctuary and Anglia Ruskin University

Norwich 2040 Local Cultural Education Partnership