INTRO
As I thought of what to do for my Girl Scout Gold Award Project,
I knew three things.
1. I loved writing and acting.
2. I loved taking photographs.
3. I loved learning about refugees and I wanted to do something to help them.
So this idea took hold and I decided that sharing the human aspect of a refugee's journey was something I was dedicated to and invested in. Sharing stories, real-life stories, from people around the world who experience an incredibly tough part of the results of human interaction has been an enlightening and humbling journey for me.
The monologues/stories that I have written have been inspired by many different places and people. Some of these refugees I have actually met, interviewed and had the privilege to get to know. I have discovered some through research in newspapers and on websites, driving me to write something beyond what makes the headlines. For others I have merely glanced upon a face and imagined that person's story, reading between the lines of their expressions. The photos accompanying the monologues were all taken by me and are illustrations of the written words.
The physical aspect of being a refugee is very important, but it is the emotional aspect that is of great interest to me and is captured in this exhibit. The text and images are here to remind us of what happens to people every day and to help us understand the human side of being a refugee. Please breathe in the moment and get lost in these stories.
Tacy Surrett