Join Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson to explore their award-winning graphic novel. During the pre-task and live webcast, your pupils will build an understanding of who refugees are, explore Omar’s experiences growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp and be inspired to draw while learning how the graphic novel was put together.

This inspiring graphic novel tells the true story of Omar and his brother Hassan, two Somali boys, who have spent a long time in the Dadaab refugee camp. This webcast is ideal for pupils aged 9-11 (Yr 5 & 6 in England & Wales, P4-5 students in Scotland).

‘Separated from their mother, they are looked after by a friendly stranger. Life in the camp isn’t always easy. The hunger is constant… but there’s football to look forward to, and now there’s a chance Omar will get to go to school… With a heart-wrenching fairytale ending, Omar’s incredible journey is brought to life by Victoria’s stunning illustrations.’

Omar and Victoria’s session 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 (19-25 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 Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary 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.

Thanks to our partners in this event:

Young Norfolk Arts Trust provides opportunities for children and young people to create and engage with creativity and culture across Norfolk. We hold the Young Norfolk Arts Festival (YNAF) – a celebration of creativity and performance by and for young people in Norfolk every year. We work closely with schools and cultural organisations to provide creative opportunities and inspiration throughout the year and we are delighted to be part of this project. We also run the YNA Collective (YNAC), a volunteer group of 16-25 year olds with an interest in the arts and creative industries either as a hobby or as a career path.

Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary and Anglia Ruskin University – Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary is a network of Norfolk schools committed to building a culture of welcome for refugees and asylum seekers. Over the past five years, they have worked closely with Anglia Ruskin University to develop A Day of Welcome – an annual day of learning and solidarity inspired by stories of refugee migration that raises awareness of refugee history and heritage, past and present, local and global.

In collaboration with: