Set in Stone

Inspired by the children’s book, Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey by Margriet Ruurs, and by the artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, Lower Schoolers collected stones and created artwork. Their creations are meant to convey the emotions and struggles of the long and difficult journey of those seeking refuge.  Prior to the making of the art, the Arabic program at Friends coordinated 18 Upper School Arabic students to read each page of Ruur's book in Arabic, alongside a reading in English. Arabic teacher Joseph Sills said, "It was a proud moment for our program to participate in a social justice education initiative at the school. The students spent time in class and at home rehearsing so their reading was fluid and professional!"

During this project, Lower School students explored the following queries:

This book, Stepping Stones, tells the story of a girl named Rama, whose family is forced to leave their village one day to escape the escalating Syrian civil war. Each page is illustrated with the stone artwork of Badr.

Organized and guided by Lower School teachers and staff from The Center for Peace, Equity and Justice, this division-wide Peace Week project is part of the School's annual theme, Seeking Refuge: The Ethics and Politics of Migration and Immigration.

Select images from the project are on display in the Main Lobby.