The power of stories in discovering where you are really from

‘Where are you really from?’


‘Where are you really from?’ I’ve faced this question more times than I care to recall. A new acquaintance is dissatisfied with your first answer and presses for details of your ethnicity, family history and more. Why do they need to know all this? You are being made to feel that you don’t really belong. Who you think you are is seemingly irrelevant.


A shared past?


In recent years, the British Empire has moved from being a rarely discussed part of our shared history to the centre of controversy about what it means to be British. Social media feeds suggest those who critique the past are disloyal, even traitorous! This is ironic, since history is reinterpreted in every generation; historians are constantly reviewing evidence. It may be because most of us educated in British schools in recent decades learned very little about this episode of history. Before World War Two, children celebrated Empire Day by dressing and parading in fancy costumes. But postwar, as former colonial territories struggled for independence, the celebrations were quietly dropped. My schooling skated over the topic of empire and certainly didn’t link it to Britain’s Industrial Revolution. Why? It wasn’t a question of curriculum space, for we covered the Tudors and Stuarts innumerable times.


The power of stories


Fortunately, I was raised in a family of storytellers, learning at an early age there are many sides to every story. My mother and maternal grandparents were migrants, each moving several times across oceans. In 2018, I spent a few days in Chennai, India - the former city of Madras that my grandparents left 100 years earlier - on my way to work in Sri Lanka. During this trip I realised that my family stories, retold in each place, despite war and upheaval, were very special. I decided to write a family-orientated story of empire, that would include women’s stories. I resolved to visit each of the places where they settled - Chennai, Sarawak, and Singapore – all once part of the British Empire.


Then the pandemic hit, and unable to travel, I was forced to time travel. It was tricky, with libraries and archives shut for many months, but miraculously, in 2021 I came across a letter written in 1817 by my great- great- great-grandfather in Madras. In it, he tells his story, that of a Tamil boy, captured and enslaved by the East India Company, who in 1789 found himself destitute on the streets of London, and who eventually worked his passage back to India. He worked as butler to a European family and in his free time provided schooling for the poorest people of Madras.


What we share


The Steve Sinnott Foundation believes education gives people the opportunity to make the most of their lives and opportunities. My three-times great-grandfather, William Roberts, held a similar vision of the power of education to change lives. The project he founded in seventeenth century Madras lives on today and is witness to his vision. My book Where are you from? No, where are you really from? recounts William’s story and doesn’t shy away from the devastating impacts of empire, but it is also one of hope and happiness. I include stories of children’s lives, and of romantic love against the odds. It’s a story of a mixed-heritage Anglo-Indian family over six generations. I believe in the power of stories to change lives and to look afresh at our commonalities and differences. This is more important today than ever, in the face of war, destruction and disrespect for civilian lives. I invite you, the reader, to reconsider: where are you really from?


Biography


Audrey Osler is Professor Emerita of Citizenship and Human Rights Education at the University of Leeds, founding Editor-in-Chief of Human Rights Education Review, and co-Chair of the International Association for Human Rights Education (IAHRE). Audrey is a patron of the Steve Sinnott Foundation. Her latest book, Where are you from? No, where are you really from? is published by Virago.


Book launch


You are warmly invited to join me for my book launch ‘Where are you from? No, where are you really from?’ On Sunday 24 March 2.30 in Central London, St James Piccadilly. I’ll be in conversation with Yasmin Alibhai Brown.


Register for your free ticket here: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.eventbrite.co.uk_e_where-2Dare-2Dyou-2Dreally-2Dfrom-2Dtickets-2D850696595417-3Faff-3Doddtdtcreator

First published in Engage 28

BY AUDREY OSLER • May 20, 2024

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope. 

Alfa Liv Kalkil - Math concepts for popular literacy classes in Haiti

By Chancy Jak • August 25, 2026
2025 During the annual fomasyon for Alfa monitors, Antoliyis Pye gave an extensive presentation on how best to introduce and develop basic math concepts in literacy classes. The response to his insight and enthusiasm led to our decision to create our own math book for Alfa participants.  In Haiti and around the world, illiterate market women and peasant farmers develop their own techniques for calculating and recording numbers. However, in providing literacy for the development of our people, we must also introduce the world of conventional numeracy. These skills lead to logical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to interpret and make informed decisions on numerical evidence. For a year we worked together to draft the contents of our Alfa Liv Kalkil, seek illustrations, create layout, and finally take our product to the local printer. Funds were provided for 350 copies, enough for each Alfa participant at each of our sites at the present level of attendance. 2026 Our next step was to fully engage each Alfa monitor in the process for introduction and use of Liv Kalkil in Alfa classes. Our two day fomasyon for 2026 was dedicated to ensuring that each member of our team was familiar with the book and comfortable in implementing the concepts with Alfa participants. The sessions were a great success. Every monitor was extremely pleased with this new tool which will allow them and their classes to work together in the world of mathematics. Liv Kalkil is now in service for every participant throughout Alfa, from Limonade itself out to sites in the hills and along the river. It is with some excitement that the monitors and participants are beginning to use our very own, home-grown, math book. In the same way that we already had Goute Sel*, Lekti Netale*, Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti*, we are proud to have this math book which advances our shared work for the development of our people. We are profoundly grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported us in developing this book. We want to thank our dedicated team of monitors, the Alfa support team in Columbus, Ann Beatty and the Steve Sinnott Foundation, and the many others who contribute to our literacy programme. Chancy Jak (Alfa Co-ordinator) Antoliyis Pye (senior monitor) *Goute Sel: Taste of Salt (base text for Alfa literacy classes) *Lekti Netale (reading comprehension) *Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti (stories from Haitian history; Alfa second level)