Anas’ Story


 
 

From Syria to Lebanon, Lebanon to Crook; Anas finds Jack Drum Arts where he continues his love of gaming, makes new friends and learns new skills.

Anas is 12 years old, a Playstation fanatic, and is proudly double jointed.

He was born in Syria, but moved to Lebanon as a refugee at the age of 1. In February 2021 he moved from Lebanon to Crook, with his parents, and his sister and two brothers.

Anas said:

“I was really excited to move here. I was happy. But I was sad because I left my favourite cousin, he isn’t here, he is in Lebanon. That’s how I feel.”

Anas’ Dad adds:

“Anas went to private school [in Lebanon], he made a lot of friends and he talks to them via social media, he really misses them and always asks me when we will go to visit them.”

Anas continues:

“[But] I feel this place is better for me, for my education too […] for my future."

His Dad continues:

“Anas feels safer in the UK and prefers the UK to Lebanon and prefers to live here because he knows his future will be better than anywhere else. He likes Crook and he has a lot of friends, he doesn’t want to move to any other place. I asked my family to move to Chester-le-Street but he didn’t accept that and he said ‘I have a lot of friends here in Crook and I don’t want to get away from them as I did with my friends in Lebanon.’”

Support for refugees in County Durham

Anas began engaging with Jack Drum Arts through the Summer School in 2021, having been recommended by Helen Marshall, the refugee support worker at Durham County Council.

He went on to attend Games Night every Wednesday evening, combining his love of gaming with the enjoyment of meeting new people.

Anas shared that he is the only refugee of his age where he lives, and that most days he speaks predominantly English to his new friends, at school and then online via his Playstation.

Anas’ Dad said:

“Anas has a PS4 and he spends most of his free time playing online games with his friends, as well he likes reading books and watching TV. He doesn’t like to leave home a lot, when his mum and I are going outside, he doesn’t accept going with us and says I will stay at home with my brothers and play PS4.”

Anas describes himself as “lazy”, and so benefits from getting out of the house to attend sessions in-person at Jack Drum Arts.

Anas’ Dad said:

"The only place Anas likes to go to is Jack drum Arts, and Anas always talks about Jack Drum Arts and tells his brothers and his sister about what he did and what he will do with Jack Drum Arts. I’ve never noticed that Anas suffers from something negative at Jack Drum Arts. He is so happy that he is one of the participants at Jack Drum Arts.”

Jack Drum Arts’ Peer Researcher and Refugee Support Worker Ziad Badawi observed that Anas enjoys talking to British participants, and that he is well integrated at Jack Drum Arts.

In February 2022 he attended the Electronic Music workshop for refugees, and has also attended the Grow and Green TV residential at Langdon Beck in Teesdale, learning documentary filming skills as a ‘young reporter’.

Most recently, Anas has started attending Get Set Samba; a samba drumming group for young people aged 10+.

Eid Festival at Jack Drum Arts

In May 2022, Anas and his family will attend Jack Drum Arts’ Eid Festival; a day of activities, music, dance and food for refugees across County Durham.

When asked what Jack Drum Arts could do better in the future, Anas’ Dad said:

“I’d like Anas to come to Jack Drum Arts to spend his time with other people and make new relationships with others and develop his abilities. There is nothing better for the future, [Jack Drum Arts] are doing something great with the young people I don’t think you could do better than that.”