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Education » Teaching resources › Wer d'ye come fae? (Where do you come from?)

This project encouraged participants of a range of backgrounds to share stories about life in Scotland and to write about their experiences. As well as developing skills in writing, participants explored ideas of identity, with the aim of helping to change perceptions of both incomers and native Scots.

The resulting poems were thought provoking, poignant and amusing. A selection were featured on posters in bus posters in Glasgow and Edinburgh during the weeks leading up to Human Rights Day on 10 December, 2007, and also published as postcards.

About the project | The writers say | Project partners | Teaching materials | Order postcard set

About the project

Group of young people Initiated by Oxfam, this project involved two groups of writers in Maryhill, Glasgow, working with the poets Gerry Cambridge and Iyad Hayatleh during September 2007.

The workshops encouraged the participants – some of whom were new to poetry – to share stories about life in Scotland and to write about their experiences. As well as developing greater knowledge of writing and poetry, the aim was to change perceptions within the writers groups, which were a mix of incomers – mainly refugees / asylum seekers, some of long standing – and native Scots.

Sifiso from Zimbabwe, one of the participants, said,

"I hadn't written a poem since I was at school, a long time ago! I wasn't sure that I'd be any good at writing, but the workshops helped and encouraged me to put my thoughts and ideas into words."

The writers say

Sifiso, from Zimbabwe

"If I had listened to people I wouldn't have been here. My friends had judged Scotland: they said people were horrible, they were not nice. In Zimbabwe they told me Scottish people are not good, they are racist, drunkards lying on the roads – all sorts of negative things. But when I came here it was a different story. I had to find out for myself there are good and bad people everywhere. Yes, there were drunks, but not everyone. And in three years I have never personally been racially abused.

It is a huge distance from Zimbabwe. When I came at first I was fleeing persecution and I was alone – my child and husband were in Africa. When they came, we were moved to Glasgow [from Newcastle]. You don't get a say where you go. I felt really scared when I knew I was coming to Glasgow. But when I got here, I met people, made friends and neighbours. Once you get a relationship with Scottish people you are home and dry. I love it here.

I have always said you must do something within the community to be accepted, to raise awareness about why we are here. It's not about wanting to live in a far-away country, where we are not allowed to work to earn money; asylum seekers are here because a problem pushed them away from home.

I thought, 'this is a joke, how can I write a poem?' But at the end of the sessions I realised there might be talent in there."

Carrie, from Scotland

"I think we realised we were all strangers. I don't look at somebody and think, 'they must be a refugee'. If you are nice to me that makes you OK, and if you are rude, you're not worth bothering with, regardless of your point of origin. I don't think it matters where you come from, as long as you can be kind to anybody.

I want everybody to live in peace, and not be cruel to each other. Look for the best in people and give them a chance. If they are nice, you gain a friend; if they are horrible just turn your back.

I've dabbled with poetry before – I think it's better to get your feelings out. But I didn't expect anything to come of it, so I was stunned when they told me they were going to use my poem on the buses."

Maryam, from Iran

"I was crying for the first three years after I left my home. There were not many services here, we had to find our own way, there was no support system. There is still a long way to go, but things have improved, both in the way services are organised and the way local people see asylum seekers – as human rather than statistics, an expensive drain on the country's resources.

"[In the poetry sessions] I got to meet new people, understand more about different cultures and nationalities. Meeting Carrie was wonderful, she is very talented. I changed and I have made good friends.

"Bringing people together from different cultures brings diversity to Glasgow, makes it even more cosmopolitan. The workshops brought communities together. It helps create more understanding, and only good can come of it."

Project partners

Project sponsors

Oxfam

All over the world Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and with people affected by crisis. In the UK this means helping those who are fleeing persecution abroad and seeking asylum here. Our work with asylum-seekers and refugees concentrates on two areas: ensuring the government meets its obligations, and helping refugees overcome prejudice. This poetry project was supported by the Asylum Positive Images Project in Scotland.

www.oxfam.org.uk

City of Literature Trust

The City of Literature Trust is a collaborative organisation that works closely with partner organisations to promote book culture in Edinburgh, encourage involvement in Scotland's literature and develop literary partnerships around the world. The collaboration of the City of Literature Trust reflects its ongoing work to have Edinburgh designated an International City of Refuge. Cities across the world, led by founding City of Refuge Stavanger, Norway, welcome a writer, giving sanctuary to those unable to work and live safely in their home country. City of Refuge is an international network known globally as ICORN (International city of Refuge Network).

www.cityofliterature.com

www.icorn.org

Workshop leaders

Iyad Hayatleh is a Palestinian refugee and poet who was born and grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria. Iyad started writing poetry early and published his work in Arabic magazines, giving readings in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. He now lives in Glasgow with his wife and three sons. Iyad is an active member of Scottish Pen and Artists in Exile Glasgow. In 2007 after a long struggle with the Home Office he was granted indefinite leave to remain in UK. Recent publications include beyond all measure (2007), exile / mërgimtari (2004).

Gerry Cambridge has published many books and pamphlets of poems, including Aves (2007) and Madame Fifi’s Farewell (2003). He regularly runs writing workshops across Scotland, for both children and adults. Recent publications include Aves (2007), Madame Fi Fi's farewell (2003).

Some participants were members of Maryhill Integration Network (Writers with a Future), and had previously undertaken creative writing sessions led by tutor Katherine O'Rourke.