First day of school

First day of school.

The girl in the picture was accompanied there by a (at the time) complete stranger who she had known for a little less than 24 hours. The girl didn't understand a single word of what was said. She had arrived in Sweden only the day before. Everything was odd, out of place and she really wanted to disappear on the spot and go back to the life she so foolishly had left behind.

13 years later. Lots of kids experience this exact same thing right now. Schoolstart. Anxiety for so many reasons. But as opposed to the girl in the picture they didn't leave their lives for the sake of an adventure. They may be homesick, but they might not have a home to return to. They came because they had to. Because there was no option.

Lots of people made sure the girl had a good start. Sweden became her safe spot, a synonym for openness, support, respect for differences, equality. Sometimes she took it for granted, for it to always be that way, yet it isn’t. It is a group effort to keep it that way.

Let’s keep it up to be lots of people making sure that everyone who is starting school has a good start, feels welcome and eventually at home. It’s up to us to make sure they all do.

Openness and respect are our biggest treasure. Don’t ever forget!