Emma Thompson Asks Parliament to Help Child Refugees

Emma Thompson, best known to Harry Potter fans as Professor Trelawney, wrote a letter recently to Members of Parliament (or MP’s) about the UK’s lack of effort in helping children refugees who flee dangerous situations and put their lives in danger in an attempt to reach the UK .

The Independent quotes Thompson as saying that her life became so much more enriched and joyful when she adopted Tindyebwa Agaba who ran from Rwanda. He was a child soldier and fled the indescribable violence that he witnessed.

Thompson with Tindyebwa.

She went on to say,

“Our family have experienced nothing but joy and reaped the deepest possible rewards from witnessing the development and happiness of the refugee who became our brave and kind son.  Those we choose to help often end up helping us in ways we cannot imagine. I am certain there are many like him out there that we can help to become part of other family or community groups where they could grow into active and fulfilled citizens with much to offer.”

Her letter encourages MP’s to consider adding an amendment to the Children’s Bill that’s being proposed next week, which would aim to give child refugees passage to the UK.

In response to some naysayers, Thompson said that

“Children do not fling themselves into the dangerous unknown for anything but the most severe reasons of survival.”

Read the entire article here, and let us know what you think!