Freedom

CD: 'Freedom'; Music provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This song was written in the first session of the project at Harmondsworth IRC. Although the lyrics were written by three people, just one detainee read out their stories – about their families far away, the activities they used to do, a lost mother... The concept of ‘this is our story’ as an overarching theme of the project was born out of this session.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Khartik shares his story – where he’s from, why he came to the UK and his feelings about being away from his family.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is an introduction to the piece the Harlington Community School pupils performed as part of the Celebrating Sanctuary Festival on London’s Southbank. They introduce themselves, talk about what they’ve learned during the project and how they feel about it, all performed over a backing track created beforehand. They repeat the overarching theme of the project: ‘This is our story’.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Shiek shares his story about how he came to be detained at Harmondsworth IRC, and his relationship with a woman called Susan.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This song was written by pupils from Harlington Community School about the misconceptions society has about marginalised people, including refugees and asylum seekers, the homeless and people on benefits. They sing about the prejudices upheld by the media and government towards a fictional refugee on the streets who is put into an IRC, and then talk about her family. They uncover the idea that every individual has a story to tell.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This slow song, written by pupils from Harlington Community School, reassures detainees that ‘it won’t last forever’.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This speech is also slotted into the song ‘Hope Hope Hope’. Richard talks about how he has been disappointed in the past, and how he gets his hope now – through Jesus. 

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This upbeat song was written by detainees at Harmondsworth IRC. The groove was created first of all, and then two men recorded themselves singing and speaking over the top, about what their dreams are and who brings them hope.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is from the detainees at Harmondsworth IRC, addressed to the pupils at Harlington Community School. We hear from two detainees about losing family, the importance of learning from other people’s cultures and God. They repeat the overarching theme of the project: ‘This is our story’.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This song is performed by Temiz, a Turkish guitarist who wanted to share songs from his country. The other detainees had fun adding percussive elements, and the song was also taught to the pupils from Harlington Community School.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is a recording of a jamming session that took place in the IRC. It’s interesting to hear such a variety of cultural musical sounds together.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This slow song is performed by Temiz, a Turkish guitarist who wanted to share songs from his country. The other detainees had fun adding percussive elements, and the song was also taught to the pupils from Harlington Community School.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This is a downbeat song by Shiek on freedom. He sings about despair, feelings of insecurity, loneliness, inconsistency, and depression.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

After a Turkish guitarist called Temiz shared songs from his country, the detainees at Harmondsworth IRC wrote this one, which is based on advising a loved one. It was taught to the pupils at Harlington Community School too. There is a bluesy guitar solo towards the end.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is a recording of AMC’s Shammi and a detainee playing together, Shammi on flute and Temiz on acoustic guitar. There is also some soft drumming on the track.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is a recording of a jamming session that took place in the IRC towards the end of the project. It’s interesting to hear such a variety of cultural musical sounds together.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is a recording of a jamming session that took place in the IRC towards the end of the project. It’s interesting to hear such a variety of cultural musical sounds and so many people playing and singing together.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is a recording of a jamming session that took place in the IRC towards the end of the project. It’s interesting to hear such a variety of cultural musical sounds and so many people playing and singing together.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

This track is a recording of a jamming session that took place in the IRC towards the end of the project. It’s interesting to hear such a variety of cultural musical sounds and so many people playing and singing together.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

David, a pupil at Harlington Community School, asks a series of questions about detainees’ lives. Where did they come from and what were their jobs? What do they miss doing? How did they feel when they arrived at the IRC and how do they feel now? Do they feel safe? Do they have friends in the centre, and family? What will they do when they are released?

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Hamza, a pupil at Harlington Community School, asks a series of questions about detainees’ lives. What did they want to do with their lives when they were younger? Why were they put in detention, and is it fair? What are their favourite songs and games, and which football teams do they support?

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Gouri, a pupil at Harlington Community School, asks a series of questions about detainees’ lives. What did they do for a living? Why did they come to the UK? When did they see their families last? What’s the IRC like: the food, its effect on their health, how safe it feels? Will they have an indication of when they’ll be released? What will they do when they are released?

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Zach, a pupil at Harlington Community School, asks a series of questions about detainees’ lives. What happened to them; why are they here? How long have they been in the IRC? What are their daily routines like, their hobbies, the food they eat? Are they allowed outside of the centre? How does it feel; do they miss their freedom? Do they have friends in the centre? How long can visitors stay in the centre? Do they have children; what are their names and ages?

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Zach’s question is answered by two detainees. One fled from Sri Lanka because of wars happening there and has been in the UK for six years. Another fled Pakistan because he was an elected Vice-Chancellor in his area and was threatened by leaders of his opposition.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Gouri’s question is answered from three detainees, one from Sri Lanka and two from Pakistan.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Hamza’s question is answered by one detainee who became a Maths teacher after leaving education. He then started a business in fine woodwork and was elected Vice-Chancellor in his area because he had done a lot of community work and helped poor people. He explains how the political opposition party ruined the life he had made and as a result he had to leave the country. He also talks about his family.

CD: Freedom; Music Provider: Asian Music Circuit

A project linking detainees at Harmondsworth IRC to Year 8 & 9 pupils from Harlington Community School in Hayes.

Zach’s question is answered by two detainees. One answers that he is fed up sometimes. The other praises the food, facilities and IRC staff, but explains that many detainees have difficulty eating well, sleeping and exercising because of mental health problems. He says they are stressed and worried, some detainees are claustrophobic and some think they will die there.