Day One, a documentary film directed by Lori Miller, tells how a unique public school in Louisiana takes care of a number of children who have fled from their war- torn countries with their families to start a new life in America.
The film focuses much on the teachers’ selfless dedication to preparing the refugee children for transition to mainstream schools in two years. The school motto, which the principal keeps the kids repeating, is: “All students will be prepared for global academic success”. However, the children are given far more than mere academic guidance. In fact, a lot is done to help them navigate, acclimatize, feel welcome and safe.
To cater to their various needs is an uphill battle as the children are from different cultural backgrounds, each with a different sad story. Behavioral problems occur occasionally because of the children’s ingrained habit of fighting to be the first to be safe. Some children need individual counselling as they are still haunted by past traumas as well as current disturbances from unfriendly neighboring communities.
In addition, there are challenges related to US administration’s refugee resettlement policies. President Trump’s refugee ban, slashing the overall admission numbers, has made it stressful for the students already admitted to the country. There is also argument about spending the money on immigrant children at the cost of the welfare for American children. To this, the teachers’ answer is that all children should have equal access to education.
The consolation is that there are contributions from charity organizations, whose kindness helps to reaffirm the value of refugees and immigrants, turning the cycle back to the world in which children, regardless of their national origin, are shown care and concern. And the teachers’ efforts pay when they see their students ready to pursue their aspirations in mainstream schools finally. The principal sees herself as a missionary answering a call from God to make miracles happen. And upon her retirement, she says with joyful certainty that she has seen encouraging changes since her first day.
The film delivers the positive message that love can conquer everything. It well deserves the honour of being the winner of the Best Documentary Award at Dublin International Film Festival 2019.
Currently, there are over 22.5 million refugees worldwide, over half of whom are under the age of 18. Let us be inspired by this movie to do what we can to help these children to have a better future.
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