If you’re not familiar with Little Amal, let’s give you an introduction: Little Amal is a huge, 3.5m puppet, of a 10-year old refugee Syrian child. She is a worldwide symbol of human rights, and has travelled across the globe spreading awareness of displaced children and refugees. In her journeys Amal stopped off in New York, France, Italy, Amsterdam, among many more places.
In fact, back in 2021, she went on a hugely symbolic journey from her birthplace near Syria, all the way across Europe, to her new home in Manchester. During that journey she stopped off at many cities along the way, including London.
According to The Walk with Amal, Amal has “travelled through more than 85 cities and been welcomed at more than 240 unique events, reaching an estimated 1 million people along the route of 13 countries she has visited”. She’s a true symbol of hope and care.
Said Amir Nizar Zuabi, Artistic Director of The Walk:
“It is because the attention of the world is elsewhere right now that it is more important than ever to reignite the conversation about the refugee crisis and to change the narrative around it. Yes, refugees need food and blankets, but they also need dignity and a voice. The purpose of The Walk is to highlight the potential of the refugee, not just their dire circumstances. Little Amal is 3.5 metres tall because we want the world to grow big enough to greet her. We want her to inspire us to think big and to act bigger.”
Little Amal in London
In the wake of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, Little Amal is returning to London to raise funds for displaced refugee children around the world, with a particular emphasis on those most recently impacted by the devastating earthquakes. The new events find Little Amal partnering with Choose Love, as she walks across the capital. Events will follow her around the city as she starts off from Paternoster Square (EC4M), through Bloomberg Arcade and Leadenhall Market, before finishing at the Tower of London. See the schedule for the day here.
Following her visit to London, Little Amal will visit Brighton for the first time on March 30. In Brighton she will be leading a procession along Brighton beach, and she will meet with children and families who have sought safety and asylum in the UK. She will then lead a sponsored walk through Hampstead Heath on April 1, with further events around London planned for April 2. See the full schedule of future Little Amal events here.
How you can help
For anyone who wants to help, the Choose Love shop has a dedicated Little Amal section – which finds your money going towards real items and life-saving interventions for children and families. These range from children’s coats, to hot food, children’s play kits, an emergency earthquake bundle, and more. You can also make one-off or recurring donations here.
The Little Amal events are free, but everyone is encouraged to donate anything they can to help.