Mennonite
Central
Committee

Refugee Tent

 

Supplies

• Large plastic tarp
• 5 gallon plastic pail
• Rope
• 4 to 8 concrete blocks
• Color photos of homes in different countries
• One blanket
• One kettle filled with lentils
• Assorted eating utensils (damaged)
• Tattered child's book
• Torn sneakers (without shoelaces)
• Empty small suitcase
• Two pieces of firewood

 

This center is designed to help children develop sensitivity to the needs and dilemmas of children around the world. Create a tent by tossing a large plastic tarp over a wash line, stretching the ends and securing with a concrete block. Fill the tent with the other items listed above. Three possible tent scenarios are listed below.

 

Story Time

Children are invited into the tent by the adult attendant who asks them to look around and tell what they see. Adult leads the children in thinking about "home," referring to the pictures posted inside the tent. "If you had one small suitcase what would you take before you left home?" "Could you live with what you see here?" "Could you share a blanket?" Ask the children to tell you some of the reasons people need to leave home.

Tell a story about refugees (see Story of the Stones below) in a particular country, provide information and a map about that country and give children a way to donate toward the needs of refugees in that country (one idea is to sell popcorn for 25 cents/bag and donate all monies to that country through MCC). Consider asking MCC service workers, Ten Thousand Villages volunteers and teachers to participate as story tellers.

Provide clothes from other countries and take a photo. Insert in a card for the child to take home. (See Create a Photo Card.)

 

Video Resources for adult leader preparation

 

 

Story of the Stones

The place is called Mile 46. It is a camp for displaced people who no longer can go home. Evie and Wally are there to see how Mennonite Central Committee can help. It is an important meeting.

People who come to Mile 46 get a tent, a blanket, a tarp for the floor and utensils to eat with. The water for over 5,000 people is trucked in big tankers. The area is dusty and rocky all around.

"What's that in your hand?" Evie holds her hand out to show the Afghan children a pretty stone. Then she bends down to pick up another one. The children gather around her. One boy asks, "Are you an American?" Evie tells the children that she came to Afghanistan and Iran to help. She is talking to some people about what food and other items they need. The boy asks again, "But you are an American, right?" "Yes," Evie replies, "I am. I must go into this tent now for a meeting."

Evie ducks into the tent and the meeting begins. As she is listening to how Mennonite Central Committee can best help, she hears a noise outside. Someone says, "She doesn't want your dirty stones." Evie gets up as quickly as she can and goes outside. A whole group of children surround her. And, what do you think they hold in each of their hands? A stone, a beautiful stone, a gift for this lady. Evie bends down and takes each child's stone. As they give her each stone she asks them their names, one by one. Each one is very precious. "Where did you find these beautiful stones?" she asks. "At the far end of the refugee camp," they reply. "I will take these stones and I will remember you and I will tell other children about you," she says. These are children who have nothing but they found something to give. What do you give to others to show you care?

For Parents And Older Children

I have since reflected on this gift of stones given by the Afghan children. It felt like an exchange of love between the Mennonites and the refugees. Out of compassion we have given of our resources: food, blankets and money. Out of love the Afghan children have given of their resources: beautiful gathered stones from their land. May the exchange of life-giving gifts continue as we serve one another.

Adapted from a story by Evie Shellenberger, MCC Iran