Freemen’s was delighted to welcome award-winning author and activist Onjali Rauf, who delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking talk to Upper 2 (Year 5) pupils, alongside pupils from The Vale, Stamford Green and The Greville.

Multi-award-winning children’s author, playwright, and women’s and refugee rights activist, Onjali spoke about the personal experiences that shape her writing. She shared how her books – dedicated to her mother and brother – are inspired by real-life encounters, including meeting a baby in Calais that led her to write The Boy at the Back of the Class.

During her visit, pupils listened with great focus as she spoke about the lives of refugees and the importance of empathy and understanding. She also highlighted influential figures such as Albert Einstein, Sergey Brin (Inventor of Google), and Judith Kerr (author of The Tiger Who Came to Tea) demonstrating how refugee stories have shaped the world around us.

Pupils engaged thoughtfully during a question-and-answer session, where one asked what they could do to help refugees. Onjali emphasised the importance of kindness, explaining that “being a friend is so important.”

The morning concluded with pupils receiving signed books or stickers and enjoying further conversations and questions with Onjali. We are incredibly grateful to Onjali for sharing her experiences and inspiring our pupils with such a powerful message of compassion and hope.