Summer series #2: Wiktoria and the joy of helping

Wiktoria Perner launched a project called Esprit de Corps (that's French for Team Spirit) as a way to help other schoolchildren get a better idea of what it's like to be a refugee - someone who's had to leave their home and their country because of a war or some other problem.

Now 17, Wiktoria says many young people find it hard to really understand why refugees are living in their cities, and how life can be so difficult for them. Once they understand, Wiktoria finds that people are keen to help refugees.

So she has set up a web site where young people can get information about refugees. Good information is important, she says, because a lot of newspaper and television reporting about refugees can be quite alarming for them. She tries to explain why people have come to Europe and why they need help.

Wiktoria also organises events at schools, where children can hear about the issue and even meet refugees and people who help them. And she also organises collections of food, clothes and other things that refugees need.

Hear Wiktoria tell her story this week in the WoW! News app.

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Wiktoria in 3 questions:

How did coming up with your solution make you feel?

"When I first became aware of the refugee crisis, I felt very disappointed, very sad and very helpless, not knowing how I can help as a teenager. But as I found ways to help and as I collaborated more with others and started organising my project I felt more and more rewarded as I’ve seen progress and impacts on the actual lives of people around me. I guess now what I feel is just the urge to continue doing what I’m doing as it brings not only me but the people around mea lot of happiness. It really brings out the gratitude in my heart."

Who inspires you?

‍"My biggest inspiration will always be Mister Gulwali Passarlay, who is a humanitarian activist for refugee rights and who also used to be a refugee. I read his book and I was lucky enough to meet him in person and listen to his story and the journey he’s been through as a refugee. I think that’s what makes me keep working on this and trying to solve the issue. To help people like him, who were able to stay persistent despite the obstacles thrown at them in their lives."

A tip for kids who want to change the world?

"My advice would be not let age be a limit in terms of what you can do. There’s so many things that we’re capable of doing, even if they’re little, to impact ourclosest communities, and that’s where change should begin."