Amrit’s Story

My family had to leave our country because we thought my father was going to be killed. At first I was glad to be in England, but then children at my school started picking on me – even someone I thought was my friend joined in the teasing.

No one played with me at break. They just kept saying horrible things about my colour and shouting at me, telling me to go back to my own country. They would throw my packed lunch in the bin and laugh.

I told my brother and he gave me the idea to call Childline. The counsellor said she could see how upsetting it was and asked whether I had tried to talk to a teacher or my parents about it. I just couldn’t.  I thought they would say it was my fault and I should try harder to fit in with the others.

I didn’t want to get the bullies into trouble in case they bullied me more. The counsellor asked me if there were any older children I could talk to. I thought of a nice girl in my road who might help.

The next day I told her everything. She let me play with her and her friends at break. When one of the bullies said something to me, one of the nice girls asked them how they would like to be picked on and asked if she had any idea of what my family had been though before coming to Britain. She told them what had happened to us and the bully felt really guilty.

The next day one of the bully’s gave me a present and said she was sorry and that they had only been having a bit of fun. I was able to tell her about my country and how bad the bullying had made me feel.

Amrit, aged 13.

Armrit was being made to feel terrible. Being threatened, called racist names, being made fun of or made to feel that you don’t matter by other people is called bulling.

 

Stop I have a question!

What’s a counsellor?
A counsellor is a specially trained person who helps you talk about your problems. Talking with a counsellor usually makes people feel much better.