The Global Fund For Children

Acting Out

• By Joseph Bednarek on February 2nd, 2012
• Category: Blog, Europe and Eurasia, Featured Blog, Home

Debra Burke (second from left) and Joe Bednarek (fifth from left) with members of the REACT performers

London, United Kingdom–The boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth in South London are some of the most ethnically diverse regions in all of the United Kingdom, but they are also some of the most deprived. These boroughs have struggled to cope with deep funding cuts to education and social services under austerity measures implemented over the past few years. Unemployment remains high, as does the demand for affordable housing in a part of London that has seen housing prices rise despite the recent economic downturn. South London’s children are often crowded out of classrooms and housing and end up on the streets, where gangs and the drug trade are harsh realities of life.

Some of South London’s most vulnerable children are those who are new to the UK. Many of them are asylum seekers who came to the UK alone and who have overcome severe obstacles to have an opportunity to make it in this country. GFC grantee partner Rewrite, based in South London, has assisted these kids for almost ten years. Rewrite offers asylum seekers and other children and youth an opportunity to learn English outside of the classroom and the chance to creatively express themselves through writing and performance.

The Global Fund for Children UK Trust’s head of business development, Debra Burke, and I were fortunate enough to attend Rewrite’s annual meeting, where the organization highlighted some positive developments and challenges from the last year. As many Rewrite members as possible gathered at the Ovalhouse theater and arts center to hear updates and vote on renewing the organization’s advisory council. Over 40 people were packed into a tiny theater space to attend the meeting. As part of the meeting, we were treated to a few preview vignettes of performances that Rewrite’s performing troupe REACT were practicing for Easter time. The performers’ ages, backgrounds, languages, and heights were varied, but the energy and message were clear: despite whatever difficult conditions might be swirling around in London’s south boroughs, performers have this opportunity and space to write about and act out some of the complicated social situations that they face every day. One of the most memorable performances was of a poem called “London,” written by a 13-year-old Rewrite member and performed by three young adults. Rewrite is a real family of performers, writers, artists, poets, parents, and kids, and Debra and I were lucky to be a part of this family for the evening.