BSB Insider Issue 24

B S B

INSIDER ISSUE 24 CHRISTMAS HISTORY MOVIES RECIPES GIFTS IDEAS WORD SEARCH ROME TRIP AMNESTY G.I.N

Don’t Be An Outsider, Read The Insider!

Table of Contents The History of Christmas......................................1 Christmas Movies.................................................3 Christmas Recipes................................................5 Christmas Crafts...................................................7 Gift Ideas...............................................................9 Winter Songs.......................................................13 Christmas Wordsearch........................................14 Running through Rome........................................15 Amnesty: Write for Rights Campaign..................18 Amnesty: Book Review........................................20 GIN: Persons with Disabilities..............................21 GIN: Stress and Anxiety.......................................22 BSB Futures.........................................................23

The History of Christmas 1. Pre-Christian Origins: Winter Solstice Festivals Before the celebration of Christmas, many cultures observed winter solstice festivals around December 2125, marking the shortest day and the “rebirth” of the sun.

Roman Saturnalia (17-23 December): Honoured the god Saturn, celebrated with feasting, giftgiving, and temporary freedom for slaves, very similar to later Christmas customs.

Yule (Norse/Germanic peoples): Marked the return of the sun. Traditions such as the Yule log, feasting, and evergreen decorations (symbols of life) later influenced the celebration of Christmas.

Mithraism: The cult of Mithras, a Persian sun god, celebrated his birth on December 25, which likely inspired the Christian choice of date.

2. The Christian Beginnings (1st-4th Century CE) The birth of Jesus of Nazareth is described in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but no date is mentioned.

Early Christians focused on Easter, not Jesus’s birth.

Around 336 CE, during the rule of Emperor Constantine, the first recorded Christmas celebration occurred in Rome on December 25.

This date likely aimed to replace or Christianize the popular pagan festivals celebrating the sun’s rebirth.

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3. Middle Ages: Christianity Spreads Christmas Traditions By the 6th century, Christmas was widely celebrated across Europe.

Pope Gregory I (590-604) encouraged merging pagan customs with Christian meanings, leading to Christmas trees, holly, mistletoe, and feasts.

The holiday became both a religious celebration (birth of Christ) and a festive public holiday with music, plays, and community gatherings.

In medieval England, Christmas was a 12-day feast (leading to the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”).

4. Reformation and Puritan Backlash (1500s-1600s) Protestant Reformation: Many reformers, including John Calvin and the Puritans, criticised Christmas as pagan and unbiblical.

In England, Christmas was banned during Oliver Cromwell's rule (1647-1660).

In Puritan New England, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas until the late 1600s, as it was considered idolatrous and wasteful.

The holiday only revived gradually after being reinstated

by Charles II.

5. 19th Century: Reinvention of Christmas This is when modern Christmas truly took shape, combining religious meaning with new cultural traditions.

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol (1843): Revived the spirit of generosity and goodwill, shaping the modern emotional meaning of Christmas.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert: Popularised the Christmas tree in Britain (a German custom) after being pictured with one in 1848.

Santa Claus: Derived from St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Myra (modern Turkey), known for giving gifts to the poor.

Dutch settlers in America brought the name “Sinterklaas”, which evolved into “Santa Claus.”

The modern red-suited Santa emerged in Clement Clarke Moore’s poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (1823) and in Coca-Cola advertisements in the 1930s.

Gift-giving, Christmas cards, and decorated trees became middle-class family traditions.

6. 20th–21st Century: Global and Commercial Expansion Christmas became both a religious and a secular holiday.

Commercialisation increased, shopping, advertising, and movies like It’s a Wonderful Life or Home Alone spread Christmas culture worldwide.

Today, Christmas is celebrated in Christian and non-Christian countries alike, often as a cultural festival of generosity, family, and togetherness.

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The Ultimate Christmas Movie Guide 2025 Elf

A modern holiday classic, Elf follows Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole, as he navigates New York City in search of his real family. Packed with laughs, heartwarming moments, and festive cheer, it’s a feel-good film that brings out the kid in everyone — perfect for a cozy holiday movie night.

Home Alone

The ultimate holiday classic, Home Alone follows young Kevin McCallister as he’s accidentally left home alone for Christmas, and hilariously defends his house from bumbling burglars. Full of clever traps, laughs, and heartwarming family moments, it’s a must-watch for holiday movie nights.

The Grinch

Whether you choose the classic animated version or the liveaction retelling, The Grinch tells the timeless story of a grumpy green creature trying to steal Christmas from Whoville — only to discover the true meaning of the holiday.

Funny, heartwarming, and full of holiday cheer, it’s a mustwatch for the whole family.

Polar Express

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The Polar Express is a magical holiday adventure that follows a young boy on a mysterious train journey to the North Pole. Filled with stunning animation, enchanting music, and the wonder of believing, it’s a heartwarming film that captures the magic of Christmas for kids and adults alike.

The Ultimate Christmas Movie Guide 2025 The Christmas Chronicles

The Christmas Chronicles is a fun, action-packed holiday movie following two siblings who team up with Santa Claus after a Christmas Eve mishap. Full of laughs, adventure, and festive magic, it’s a modern holiday favorite that’s perfect for family movie nights.

The Nightmare before Christmas

This stop-motion classic blends spooky fun with holiday cheer as Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas and decides to take over the holiday. Full of quirky characters, catchy songs, and Tim Burton’s signature style, it’s a unique festive favorite for kids, teens, and adults alike.

A Christmas Carol

This timeless holiday story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man who learns the true meaning of Christmas after visits from three magical ghosts. Full of heart, lessons, and festive spirit, A Christmas Carol is a classic that reminds viewers of the importance of kindness, generosity, and celebrating with loved ones.

The Holiday

The Holiday is a charming romantic comedy about two women who swap homes for the holidays and discover love and new beginnings. With its cozy settings, heartfelt moments, and witty humor, it’s perfect for older teens and adults looking for a warmhearting movie to watch.

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Christmas Recipes Sugar Cookies

Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until smooth.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ½ cm thick.

Use cookie cutters to make fun Christmas shapes — stars, trees, snowflakes, or hearts!

Place cookies on the tray and bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden.

Let the cookies cool completely, then decorate with icing, sprinkles, or melted chocolate.

Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups flour 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder 1 cup butter 1 ½ cups sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Christmas Recipes Chocolate Cupcakes Ingredients: For the cupcakes: 1 cup flour ½ cup cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda ½ cup butter (softened) ¾ cup sugar 2 eggs ½ cup milk 1 tsp vanilla extract For the icing: 1 cup icing sugar 2 tbsp cocoa powder 3 tbsp butter (softened) 1–2 tbsp milk

Instructions: Preheat oven to 180°C and line a cupcake tray with paper cases.

In a bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda,set aside.

In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth and creamy.

Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.

Slowly add the dry ingredients, alternating with milk, until you have a smooth batter.

Spoon the batter into cupcake cases, filling each about ¾ full.

Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cupcakes cool completely before icing.

For the icing: Mix butter, cocoa powder, and icing sugar together until smooth.

Add milk gradually until the icing is creamy and spreadable.

Spread or pipe the icing onto the cupcakes.

Decorate with Christmas sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy look!

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Christmas‌ C R A F T S

Abbreviations MR - Magic ring ch - Chain sl st - Slip stitch sc - Single crochet dc - Double crochet

Crochet Ornament Coaster 1.

Start with red yarn.

2.

Make a magic ring (MR).

3. Round 1: 12 dc into the MR. Pull tight. Join with sl st to 1st dc. (12 sts) 4. Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as dc), 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each stitch around. Join with sl st. (24 sts) 5.

Fasten off red yarn and weave in ends.

6.

Attach gold yarn to the top of circle.

7. Row 1: Ch 1, work 6 sc evenly across top edge.

Turn. (6 sts) 8.

Row 2: Ch 1, 6 sc. Turn.

9.

Row 3: Ch 1, 6 sc. Do not fasten off.

10. Ch 18–25 (depending on desired loop length).

11. Sl st into first stitch of the row to form a loop.

12.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Pine Cone Reindeer Pinecones Googly eyes Brown felt or paper (for ears) Small sticks (for antlers) Red pom-pom (nose) Hot glue or strong craft glue 1. Glue googly eyes onto the pinecone near the top.

2. Glue a red pom-pom underneath the eyes for the nose.

3. Cut ear shapes from brown felt and glue them on both sides.

4. Push or glue small sticks into the top of the pinecone to make antlers.

5. Let dry — done! You now have a cute Rudolph!

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Christmas Card: Coloured cardstock or construction paper (brown or any background colour) Green paper (for tree) Yellow paper (star) Scrap paper for presents Glue stick Scissors Marker or pen

1. Fold a piece of cardstock in half to make the card base.

2. Cut 5–6 green rectangles in different sizes (from small to big).

3. Fold each rectangle like an accordion (back-andforth folding).

4. Glue the folded pieces inside the card, stacking them from biggest (bottom) to smallest (top) to form a tree.

5. Cut and glue a small brown rectangle for the trunk.

6. Cut a small yellow star and glue it to the top of the tree.

7. Cut tiny paper squares to make presents and decorate them with drawn or ribbon bows.

8. Write “Merry Christmas” or another festive greeting at the top.

Pompom Christmas Tree: Materials: Green yarn, red pom-poms/beads, cardstock or foam cone, scissors, glue, yarn needle.

1. Make cone: Roll cardstock into a cone and secure.

2. Make pom-poms: Wrap yarn around fingers close to 60 times.

Slide off, tie tightly in the middle, cut loops, and fluff.

3. Assemble: Glue pom-poms around the cone starting at the bottom and working up.

4. Decorate: Add red pom-poms or beads as ornaments.

5. Finish: Place on a stand and enjoy your festive tree!

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2025

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR KIDS 01

Slime Kit A perfect gift for young kids that balances both creativity and entertaining. You can mix, stretch, and sparkle your own slime while experimenting with different colours, scents, and textures. It’s a brilliant way to spark imagination and keep boredom away, plus, it’s just as satisfying to play with as it is to make!

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Lego LEGO sets are a timeless gift that spark imagination and creativity in every person. With endless pieces and possibilities, kids can design their own worlds, from cool cars and castles to faraway galaxies. It’s the perfect mix of excitement and learning, keeping young minds busy and focused.

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Your paragraph text

Cars race track

A car race track is the ultimate gift for kids who love speed and action! With twisting turns, cool cars, and thrilling races, it’s all about fast paced fun and friendly competition. Kids can set up their own tracks, challenge friends, and watch their cars race to the finish line, encouraging endless excitement and many different outcomes!

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2025

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR KIDS 01

Vanity A vanity set is a dreamy gift for young people who love to dress up and shine! With a cute mirror, tiny drawers, and space for makeup or sparkly hair clips or skincare, it’s the perfect place for make believe makeovers.

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Headphones Headphones are the perfect gift for young kids. Whether it is used on the bus to school or a plane ride or long car journey, headphones are useful (especially if they are noise cancelling) for kids who just want to watch a show or listen to their own music to wind down and feel calm.

Headphones are also very portable and can travel with you anywhere!

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Walkie Talkies Walkie talkies are an awesome gift for children who love adventure and teamwork. Perfect for backyard missions, treasure hunts, or just keeping in touch with friends, they turn every game into a secret agent mission. Compact and fun, they’re a must have for kids who love adventure!

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2025

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR TEENS 01

Bag For the stylish older teenagers, a chic bag is both a statement and a staple. Whether it’s a trendy tote bag, a sleek crossbody, or a classic shoulder bag, the right piece adds instant polish to any outfit. It’s practical enough for school or weekend outings, yet stylish enough to show off personality, the ultimate blend of fashion and function!

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Digital Camera A digital camera is the perfect gift for capturing every laugh, late night hangout, and unforgettable memory.

Whether it’s taking pictures at parties, documenting adventures with friends, or creating aesthetic photo dumps, it’s a fun way to hold on to real moments.

Stylish and portable, it’s a must have for making memories.

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Jewellery Jewellery is always a winning gift: timeless, personal, and effortlessly stylish. From dainty necklaces or chains to cute charm bracelets, rings and statement earrings, the right piece can dress up any outfit and show off your unique vibe. It’s more than just an accessory, it’s a way to express yourself, and feel confident every day.

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2025

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR TEENS 01

Fragrances A fresh cologne or fragrance is the perfect gift for a teenager looking to step up their style game. Whether it’s for school, weekends out with friends, or special occasions, the right scent adds confidence and leaves a lasting impression. It’s subtle, stylish, and a simple way to express personality without saying a word.

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Clothes New clothes are always a nice gift for stylish teens.

From cool jumpers and t-shirts to sleek jackets and denim jeans, the right outfit can elevate any look.

It’s practical, fun, experimental and gives you the chance to express your personality and creativity whilst feeling confident every day.

Your paragraph text

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Shoes Onitsuka Tiger shoes are the perfect gift for teens who want to combine comfort and cool. With their sleek design and classic vibe, they’re great for school, hanging out with friends, or weekend adventures.

Stylish, versatile, and effortlessly trendy, shoe brands like Onitsuka Tiger are the perfect and an equally elegant shoe to invest in.

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Winter Songs and Celebrations Hanukkah Songs Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration. The songs often focus on the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees.

"Ma'oz Tzur" (Rock of Ages): A traditional hymn sung after the Menorah is lit each night.

"Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"): A popular Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) song.

"The Dreidel Song" (I Have a Little Dreidel): A very common children's song about the traditional game.

"The Chanukah Song" (Adam Sandler): A famous modern novelty song that lists Jewish celebrities.

Global Winter Songs Many countries have unique songs for Christmas or the broader winter season that reflect their local culture: "Petit Papa Noël" (France): A song sung from a child's perspective, hoping Santa won't forget the toys.

"A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree" (New Zealand/Māori): A version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" that uses local birds and plants.

"Carol of the Bells" (Ukraine/USA): Originally a Ukrainian folk chant called "Shchedryk" composed by Mykola Leontovych, based on a New Year's well-wishing song, later adapted with English Christmas lyrics.

"Feliz Navidad" (Global/Puerto Rican): A bilingual (Spanish/English) song of good cheer by José Feliciano.

Kwanzaa Songs Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26th to January 1st.

Songs focus on the seven core principles.

"Kwanzaa Is Here" or "Seven Days of Kwanzaa": Songs specifically written to celebrate the holiday and often teach the seven principles (Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani).

Songs like "Furaha" (Swahili for joy) are often sung, sometimes as part of medleys that incorporate African musical styles and languages.

New Year's Songs These songs focus on reflection, looking forward, and celebrating the turn of the year.

"Auld Lang Syne": The most famous New Year's Eve song, based on a Scottish poem, traditionally sung to remember old friends and the times shared.

"What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?": A classic jazz and pop standard about meeting up with a loved one on New Year's Eve. "Happy New Year" (ABBA): A popular, contemplative song often associated with the holiday.

“It’s The Final Countdown”: A commonly used song, played typically after the end of the countdown to introduce the new year.

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Christmas‌

Wordsearch‌

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Running Through Rome 3 December

Sophie Benham

The cross-country race may have been the reason we went, but the real marathon was present through a long day spent lingering through different airports, multiple bus and metro rides and the maze of cobbled streets that miraculously led us to world renowned ancient sites.

The trip started at 4:45 a.m., at the crack of dawn, in Brussels airport by the Starbucks on the ground floor. Everyone looked bleary eyed yet was fuelled with excitement and adrenaline for the exciting day ahead and to explore a whole foreign world, different to our regular routines. Until our flight got delayed. The 8 hours at Brussels airport went by quite swiftly, with the multiple food and beverage spots available, the duty free and even media stores where we could test out microphones and drum kits. I brought my sketchbook to sketch the different architectural perspectives in the airport - however, after what seemed like a million sketches later, my friend and I found a comfy area to doze off for a while.

Somewhere between Belgium and Rome, a key highlight of the long day, was finding a pair of comfy lounge chairs with pillows and blankets, lots and lots of overpriced snacks and an iPad playing the movie ‘White Chicks’. My friend and I stayed in these chairs for what felt like hours, until we finally boarded our second flight of the day.

We landed in Rome at around midnight, with exhaustion lingering in the air. The airport was quiet, but outside in the bitterly cold night was even quieter, with only the buzzing sounds of the buses whirring on, awaiting the arrival of 15

tourists. The dim streetlights and the quiet roman neighborhoods were visible from inside the bus as well as the urge to finally settle down and have an undisturbed sleep.

The smell of fresh bread and sun rays crept through the window and into my room, signaling the commence of our first full day in Rome. With only around 5 hours of sleep and the desire to creep back into our beds, we put our racing clothes on for the day and packed our bags. We quickly ran out of the hotel with no time to spare and a paper bag piled high with cakes and pastries for breakfast that the kind employee (although I did not understand him very well as he only spoke Italian) urged me to take.

After an hour and many wrong turns later, we finally arrived at our destination, Marymount. The school was built on a hill, with a huge rustic looking building in the centre, one that looked like an isolated house on a farm in rural Italy. There were tall, luscious Italian cypress trees lining the school campus, multiple modern buildings and a terrace outside the cafeteria, an outdoor basketball court and grassy field, and even a vast area of grass that was directly under the sun – the perfect place for tanning.

After the opening ceremony, and an introduction to all the schools present, we headed out to the main field where the race was going to take place.

Whilst walking around the track and the blaring sun above causing heat waves all around me, I knew this was about to be a long day ahead. The running part of the day was painful, the huge hill we had to sprint up was pure torture, and by the end of all the races I was glad I did not have to run until the next morning. One key memory of my first day at the school was meeting a lovely group of girls who were helping out with their event for their CAS. Their names were Simona, Feven, Tosia, and Luna. Even though I only got to know them for two days, it felt like I’d known them for years, which is another reason that makes these sports trips so memorable – the different people you have the opportunity to meet. I am still in contact with each and every one of them and before I left, promised to let them know when I was going to be in Rome next, and vice versa with Brussels.

We decided on a trip into the city centre for some nice pizza and pasta and cultural sightseeing, after a long and tiring day of sports. The metro ride into the city centre was crowded and chaotic, having to split up into little groups and then reemerging into a large one, praying no one was lost or did not get off the metro. The first ancient sight we saw was the Flaminio Obelisk with lion statues surrounding it. Walking the streets of Rome was a cultural experience (fashion wise) and a dream come true. We walked by every designer store possible, from Maison Margiela to Miu Miu. And it was then that I decided that Rome was my new favourite city.

We were all starving by the time we got to the restaurant, and after a quick game of “I Spy” our food arrived. I ordered a beef ragu pasta dish and even got to observe it being made as there was a clear glass window between my table and the kitchen. After dinner we walked down some small alley ways, and I got subtle hints of déjà vu from when I was 12 years old and walking down the cobbled streets of Rome for the first time.

Walking down narrow alleys was starting to get repetitive and every stone building we passed was the same, when all of a sudden, the Trevi fountain appeared. It was just as magnificent since the last time I saw it and it was such an immense surprise how a huge historical landmark could be hidden away so effortlessly between backstreets. Having spent hours walking around the city centre, we decided to call it a day and trek all the way back to the hotel where my warm bed was awaiting me.

The next day felt like the calm after a violent storm. The smell of warm, fresh bread woke me up again and this particular morning, we had time to sit down and enjoy a proper breakfast of yoghurts, cereal, and pastries.

We slowly gathered onto the bus and did not endure any wrong turns on the way to school and got there in only half an hour.

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The only race on the second day was the relay, and the only thing keeping me going was the thought of seeing the Colosseum later in the afternoon. The relay brought every single team together, with huge echoes of cheering and clapping of hands all throughout the racing path. In the end the relay team I was on came in first and all four of us left with a gold medal and a feeling of relief that the active running part of the trip was over.

As soon as it hit lunchtime at 1 o’clock, we all sprinted to the cafeteria (the only justifiable use of running after our races). The cafeteria was huge and filled with the most delicious foods. The only beverage served in the cafeteria was water with different citrus fruits and the salad bar was stocked with all the different vegetables you could think of and a Greek salad that was covered with the creamiest feta cheese. The main course was choices between pesto pasta, tomato pasta, and many more, and there were focaccia pizzas with an array of different kinds of toppings. The best part of the cafeteria was that it was a buffet, and you could fill your tray with as much food as you wanted. All the teams sat on the terrace, and the sun shining up above and truly delectable food available, it was the perfect end to our two-day competition at the school. After saying a few sad goodbyes to my newly made friends and lots of thank yous for being so welcoming, we boarded the bus and headed into the city.

figure of an angel to gift to my mum and a fridge magnet of Rome. At the Rome airport, we indulged in some dinner, and already tired of all the pizza and pasta that was eaten over the course of 2 days, I decided to go for a smash burger with fries. We finally boarded the flight to Belgium, resuming the show my row and I could not finish on the flight to Rome, and even though a wonderful journey with endless memories was coming to an end, I was excited to catch up on all of the hours of sleep I had missed in Rome.

Thinking back on the trip, a key part that I am grateful for, Is the huge privilege of being able to fly to different countries to participate in huge tournaments and to meet a vast variety of different people as well as experiencing new and foreign cultures to our own. This trip to Rome was definitely not taken for granted and even though at times it was really stressful, I enjoyed it every step of the way. It is definitely safe to assume that this trip was not a trip to forget, and that I will be back to the beautiful city in the foreseeable future.

Seeing the Colosseum was even more impressive than in the photos, and after walking around for a little bit and taking multiple team photos, we headed to the train station to board our train to the airport. In the train station, we had free time to wander around for a little bit, so my group and I decided to go on the hunt for a souvenir shop.

At the shop I acquired multiple postcards to include in my art book as well as a small

Original art work: Theo Perrin 17

Write For Rights Campaign The Write for Rights Campaign is an opportunity to bring light to cases all around the world where human rights have been violated. With this, you have the opportunity to write to either a Government body, or the victim themselves to demand justice or to let the person know that they are not alone and the world hears them. Write your letter today to demand the justice for all who might not have the voice to do it themselves.

Sonia Dahmani - Tunisia Unecebo Mboteni - South Africa

Unecebo Mboteni was a three-year-old boy who was full of life who loved to play with his toy cars. On 18th April 2024, Unecebo fell into a pit toilet at his preschool in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He died the next day. Since 2018, two other children have died after falling into pit toilets in the Eastern Cape. However, there is still no movement to eradicate toilet pits in all schools, and the Mboteni family have not heard anything from the preschool or Department of Basic Education. Unecebo’s father said ‘My son died in a death trap set up for poor people.

Unecebo lost his life in a place where he should have been safe. His family deserves answers.

Sonia Dahmani is a woman loved dearly by her friends and family for her love of wildlife, art and music. Sonia is a lawyer and media commentator who has dedicated her life to defending human rights. She has been very vocal in expressing her critic of inhumane prison conditions and racism, regularly addressing these issues on television and radio shows. On 11th May 2024, masked policemen violently raided the Tunisian Bar association and arrested Sonia. She was convicted and sentenced for ‘spreading false news’ and is being held in Manouba prison. She is facing many years in prison for speaking out against injustices while the authorities attempt to silence her. She has been subject to inhumane conditions with living in a rat-infested cell and is being denied medical care that she needs. Demand Sonia’s release now.

Juan Lopez - Honduras

Juan Lopez was a loving father and husband who practised his faith by serving his community and always supporting the most vulnerable. Since 2015, Juan tirelessly defended his local environment in northern Honduras from mining and energy projects that have threatened local rivers, forests and the Carlos Escaleras Mejia National Park. Juan and fellow activists founded the Tocoa Municipal Committee for the Defence of Common and Public Goods to peacefuly challenge these dangerous projects. However, they were met with harassment, threats and criminalization. Many committee members have been arrested, imprisoned and even killed. on 14th September 2024, Juan was shot dead in his car by a masked gunman as he left church. The alleged shooter has been charged with murder, however, those who ordered Juan’s murder have not been held accountable.

Demand justice for Juan Lopez.

Damisoa - Madagascar

In 2021, Damisoa and his family were forced to leave their home in the Androy region, Southern Madagascar due to the worsening droughts caused by climate change. This meant there was not enough food to survive. After a fourmonth 1,500 km journey to the north-west of Madagascar in hopes for a new start, they were met with disappointment. in 2023, they were allocated a tiny 5m hut at a resettlement site. Each rainy season, the Kamoro river swells, encircling the site with fast, crocodile-infested waters, making it very dangerous for residents to leave.

The Boeny region is in desperate need of humanitarian aid as most aid is being concentrated in southern Madagascar.

Demand that the Governent takes urgent steps to address the hunger, homelessness and poor healthcare faced by Damisoa and other displaced by drought across Madagascar.

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The Guerreras por la Amazonia - Ecuador A group of activists who fight alongside UDAPT and the Eliminen los Mecheros, Encindan la Vida collective, to protect their communities from the damage caused by gas flares.

Despite having won a lawsuit against the Ecuadorian state in 2020, gas flares are still being used, and the group is not being celebrated for their bravery. Rather they face stigma and violent intimidation, and Ecuadorian authorities are telling them to stop their activism instead of investigating the threats against them.

Call on Ecuador to eliminate gas flares and protect climate defenders

Sai Zaw Thaike - Myanmar In Myanmar, more than 200 journalists have been arrested by the military after they took power in 2021. After Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar in May 2023, journalist Sai Zaw Thaike travelled undercover to Rakhine State to report on the devastation. He embedded himself with a relief team but after a week he was arrested, interrogated and beaten. In September 2023, he was sentenced by a military tribunal to 20 years in prison with hard labour during a trial that lasted a single day. Instead of being allowed to report freely, Sai Zaw is locked up, enduring beatings from prison staff and periods of solitary confinement.

Demand that Myanmar's military release him immediately

Ellinor Guttorm Utsi - Norway Reindeer herding is central to the Sámi food system, which depends on migratory grazing across the Arctic to produce clothing, crafts and food that is sustainable. Ellinor is a passionate leader fighting to protect her community’s way of life in northern Norway, as her people rely on summer grazing lands in Corgas, which are now under threat. In 2023, several hundred wind turbines were suddenly proposed across Sámi territories, with many having been planned directly on Ellinor’s summer grazing lands. These huge projects would bring power lines, roads and turbines which would break up the land, disrupt reindeer migration and destroy a way of life which is deeply connected to nature. Norwegian authorities are rushing approvals despite fierce opposition.

Ellinor is desperately trying to ensure that Sámi voices are heard but time is running out.

Call on Norway to listen to Ellinor and the Sámi people and help them protect their land, livelihoods and culture

Mother Nature Cambodia - Cambodia The campaign group Mother Nature Cambodia, created by Chandaravuth Ly, Keorksmey Phuon, Kunthea Long, Leanhy Yim, Ratha Sun, and Ratha Thun, has courageously defended the environment from the harmful actions of companies and the Cambodian government. In 2015, the development of a hydroelectric dam which would’ve caused massive deforestation was successfully halted by the group, and a year later, they were behind a ban on sand exports, which protected coastal areas from environmental degradation. Despite inspiring countless young people across the country, the group is consistently targeted with arrests and prosecutions by authorities. In 2020, three of the activists were arrested for peacefully protesting the infilling of a lake. In 2021, the other three were arrested while they investigated the pollution of a river. In June 2024, all six were sentenced to between 6 and 8 years in prison purely for protecting the environment. While Ratha Sun fled Cambodia to continue the group’s work, the other five remain in prison and are enduring harsh conditions.

Demand that the five detained activists are immediately released and all convictions against Mother Nature Cambodia activists are quashed

Come and join us to write letters and Christmas cards, every lunchtime in the cafeteria 8-12 December!

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‘Here I Stand’ with Human Rights: A Book Review.

On occasion, Amnesty International gets together multiple authors and produces a book full of short stories. This time, they have focused the book for younger readers with Here I Stand, with 25 contributing authors including people such as Jackie Kay, Matt Haig and Neil Gaiman. These authors explored where we are with human rights in today’s society and how they might look around the world. The book explores the questions of the sacrifices made to win on human rights, the sacrifices still need to be made, how, where and why these rights are under attack and how deep is the need to defend them.

Each story is incredibly touching, and when I finished reading them, the messages of those stories kept repeating in my head. I really loved reading “Stay Home” by Sita Brahmachari, which was based on a young girl who Brahmachari saw in a school reception who had to take her mother to a doctor’s appointment and was exhausted when she arrived to school. I equally loved reading “School of Life”

by Elizabeth Laird, which was both touching but also disturbing. The story was about a young girl who had been trafficked to London by her step-uncle, under false promises that he would help her, and the reality is that human trafficking still happens everywhere in the world and is a very large problem. And these first two stories are just a taste of the incredible stories and poems within the book. There is also the poem “Constant” by Jackie Kay, who wrote this alongside the poems “Glasgow Snow” and “Push the Week”, all of which were written in response to the stories told to her by three different women. The title itself was already intriguing, but when I read the poem, it felt like I had uncovered a treasure trove of feelings which had previously been hidden.

I loved the Dulce et Decorum Est by Chibundu Onuzo, exploring the harsh realities with gang violence in London. The first entry, Harvester Road by John Boyne, brilliantly explores the different ways of sexual assault through very simple stories of characters on Harvester Road. I thought the simplicity of this short story spoke volumes to the problem of sexual assault and sexual predators, as it is often very hard to determine when someone is assaulting someone and being a sexual predator. This was successfully highlighted throughout the story as the predators were never outlined as one, however the underlying message of the story was how sexual assault can be hard to see if you are not looking for it.

Here I Stand is an important and thoughtprovoking book. Its stories highlight the numerous struggles throughout the world and how different people can be attacked in different ways. The formats of these stories are vastly different, however tie together nicely all to try and achieve the same goal: spread awareness of human rights abuses around the world. If you are interested, this book will be available in the library.

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International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 3rd This is a UN day that is celebrated every year on the 3rd of December. The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation World Health of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.

Organisation

The Theme Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.

What Can You Do Wear purple on the 3rd of December!

Buy some candy grams to donate money to the Special Olympics!

Spread the word to your friends and family!

A Truly Inclusive Society is One where Everyone Belongs 21

Stress and Anxiety Raising Awareness and Reducing Stigma

SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT EDITION 1 EDITION 1

DECEMBER

Your paragraph text

What is Stress?

What is Anxiety?

A natural response to a challenge or pressure. → happens when our body prepares to handle a task, deadline, or situation. → usually temporary + when situation passes so do the symptoms How it feels Heart Racing Muscle Tension Trouble Sleeping Feeling Overwhelmed

A persistent fear or worry that doesn’t go away, even when there is no real threat. → can affect daily life → real + treatable not a personality flaw How it feels Tight chest, difficulty breathing Constant “what if” thoughts + uncontrollable Irrational fear or dread Feeling unsafe for no clear reason

Differences

Stress = response to a situation Anxiety = ongoing reaction without clear reason Many teens experience stress and anxiety - you are not alone.

Seeking support is a sign of self-respect not weakness.

Reducing Stigma

Just calm down.

I’m here for you. Do you want to talk?

You’re overreacting.

How can I support you?

Everyone is stressed.

Your experience matters.

How to Cope

Mindfulness & Relaxation: Breathing exercises, meditation and grounding techniques Talk to a safe person Break tasks into tiny chunks Move and do exercise Belgian Mental Health Helpline

+32 (0) 2 648 40 14 Whatever the reason, if you need to talk, someone will be there to listen.

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Written by: Ece Beril Ciklacekic Sophie Benham Helena Braulio de Melo Marc Cerrahoglu Amnesty G.I.N Facilitator: Ali Clarke