When Razan Alsous first came to the UK in 2013 to escape war in Syria, she struggled to find work despite having a pharmacy degree. She says, "It's not easy to settle in to a new place when you didn't plan to do so. I needed to start a new life in a place where I don't have any friends, family or relation."
In Syria, Razan would eat Halloumi cheese for breakfast and she noticed in the UK that the cheese was not always available so she started making it for her family. In Syria, Halloumi is made from sheep or goat's milk but Razan started using local Yorkshire cows milk, and she loved the taste.
Razan was able to combine skills she learned in Syria with produce made in her new home and with a loan of £2500 from a local enterprise company, she set up Yorkshire Dama Chesese in 2014. In 2016 her cheese won the World Cheese Award Gold prize and Razan has been recognised by the Prime Minister on International Women's Day 2015. Her cheese has won 17 food awards.
Razan employs locals and refugees at Yorkshire Dama Cheese. She says local support helped make her company a success; "I count this as my home. So when people ask me now where I am from, I say I am from Yorkshire."
What do you see in the picture?
Where do you think the photo was taken?
What do you notice about the people in the photo (similarities and differences)
One of these people is the boss - which one do you think is the boss?
Explain the story
- Why did Razan leave Syria?
- How did Razan feel when she first arrived in the UK?
- How did Razan find work?
- What makes Razan's cheese different?
- Razan employs local people and refugees. What does this show about what Razan thinks about difference and diversity?
- How is Razan's work affecting Yorkshire?
- Some people think refugees should not come to the UK. What would this story show people who are scared of difference and diversity?
- Why does Razan say, "When people ask me where I am from, I say I am from Yorkshire."
- What does this show us about the UK and community cohesion? (what is community cohesion?)
- What can we learn from Razan?
- Why is this story about No Outsiders?
"No Outsiders in our school: Teaching the Equality Act in primary schools" by Andrew Moffat
"Reclaiming radical ideas in schools: preparing young children for life in modern Britain" by Andrew Moffat
equalitiesprimary
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