Precieuse is a story from Three2Six about a Refugee’s journey from their home country, to South Africa. This particular story is a collaboration of experiences, retold through the art of animation. This was completed during the Holiday Program of 2013.
The film was created by Refugee Children from Rwanda, Republic of Congo, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Cote d’lvoire, Angola and Cameroon. Below is the second installment of Preciouse, the story of refugees.
A quiet resilience surrounds Pattammal (name changed to protect confidentiality), as she smiles at you. Originally from a family of seven siblings based near Coimbatore, she came to Adaikalam (The Banyan’s Transit Care Centre) seventeen years ago. The Banyan team first encountered Pattammal in Chennai – homeless, angry and dishevelled. Despite four years of close care, medication and individualised therapies at Adaikalam, the team was unable to make progress in reducing her symptoms.
Geoff , his name changed to protect his identity, is a 15 year old boy who witnessed severe domestic violence between his parents throughout his early years and whose mother was alcohol dependent. Geoff’s father left the family when Geoff was seven and he and his two younger siblings now live with their mother who is recently in recovery from addiction.
Freedom from Torture client K was a successful businessman supporting an extended family in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His family included his teenage son, of whom he won legal custody after a divorce, and three adopted teenagers from a relative who had been killed. He became active in the political opposition to the regime of DRC President Joseph Kabila and led marches and demonstrations. This led to his arrest and torture by the police on three separate occasions in 2011. While in detention, K experienced beating, cigarette burns, rape, had his ankles bound with wire, was left without food, forced to drink foul water, and was kept naked. He fled to the UK after his final detention in December 2011 after a relative posing as a regime soldier organised his escape. K spent all his savings getting to the UK.
Gihozo is four years old and the apple of her family’s eye. She lives in Kigali, Rwanda with her foster parents, Jane and James, and their teenage children. Thanks to them, Gihozo is growing up with all the love and attention she needs to thrive but her childhood could have been very different.
“Today marked a humble but exciting milestone. The Three2Six refugee education project extended its provision to Holy Family College, Johannesburg, and the first classes were held today. Fourteen Reception class and grade 1 learners (aged 6-7) attended: playing in the playground, drawing and colouring, introducing themselves to new friends and teachers, singing and sharing a meal. (more…)