Last year, the giant puppet Little Amal walked 5,000 miles across Europe to raise awareness of the plight of refugees. She travelled from the Turkish-Syrian to Manchester in the UK, passing through Greece, Italy and France along the way. And now, the team is taking her to the Polish cities of Lublin and Kraków to meet fleeing Ukrainian families.
Little Amal – whose name means hope in Arabic – will be joined by a crew of three puppeteers. The team was invited by the cities’ mayors and the Ukrainian embassy in Poland. They will also supply families with aid and supplies specifically tailored to the needs of young children. The visit also includes a trip to Przemyśl, a town on the border with Ukraine.
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Of the trip, Little Amal team member Amir Nizar Zuabi said: ‘At a time of unprecedented global change, Amal’s journeys transcend borders, politics and language to tell a new story of shared humanity – and to ensure the world doesn’t forget the millions of displaced children, each with their own potential to enhance the communities in which, as we hope, they will find refuge.’
On the first day of the trip, the puppet walked through the old town of Lublin and met with families dressed in traditional clothing. You can follow the rest of the journey via the Little Amal Instagram account.
Looking to do your bit? Here are 23 ways you can help the people of Ukraine right now.