Online Reporter
Latwell Nyangu
AWARD-WINNING author Ashley Bvute has won an award for his children’s book titled ‘Between Worlds: The Journey of Immigrant Children in the 21st Century.’
He won the award at the just-ended UK-Zimbabwe Expo on Saturday.
The book is more than immigration statistics and political debates and focuses on the child at the centre of migration.
The book, which is a research-informed exploration of the often overlooked experiences of children growing up across cultures, countries and identities, was written by Bvute.
Marko Ncube was the contributing researcher.
The book examines what happens when children must adapt to a new country, language, education system and social environment while maintaining connections to their family heritage and culture. It has received recognition from the international community.
The author, who has written several books related to migration, says he is honoured to be recognised. “I feel good but this award is more than a recognition of my writing, it’s a recognition of the message behind the book ‘Between Worlds,’ the conversation it is creating about immigrant children, identity, culture and belonging.
“The award gives me the energy to keep working, writing stories that change narratives in is our lives.
“It gives me a stronger platform and greater motivation to continue raising awareness of their experiences. “I hope it encourages parents, educators, communities and policymakers to listen more closely to these children and understand the unique world they are growing up in.
Bvute said, he wants to change narratives.
“Ultimately, I want my writing to help change narratives and contribute to better outcomes for immigrant children.
“Children are resources, just like other natural resources we have as a nation.
“If we don’t safeguard them, we may have a totally lost generation that will have an identity crisis, moral barrenness, and put the nation into the dustbin.”
The book explores critical themes including identity and belonging, language and communication, education, cultural adaptation, racism and discrimination, family relationships, social integration, resilience and the psychological and emotional complexities of growing up between different worlds.
