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

STEM programs in Haiti

By Ann Beatty • February 14, 2026
On 23rd January at the Cima Community School of Hope (ECEC), the first workshop was held with the first group of students as part of the STEM program. This activity marks a promising start to the program's implementation. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is crucial for children because it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity from a young age. It nurtures natural curiosity, helps children understand the modern world, and builds resilience through hands-on experimentation. Additionally, early STEM exposure prepares them for future academic and career success. A total of 20 students participated in this first session. The session focused on a general presentation of the importance of computer programming in today's world. The students were also introduced to the Scratch software interface, an educational tool well-suited for teaching children programming. This initial experience went smoothly and generated considerable interest and strong motivation among the students.

Make This Spring the Season You Secure Your Legacy

By Steve Sinnott • February 14, 2026
At the Steve Sinnott Foundation, we know that planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for the people and causes you care about. That’s why we’re delighted to offer our staff and volunteers the opportunity to write or update their will this Spring. Whether you’ve been meaning to get started for years, or you simply need to make a few updates, this is the perfect time to take that important step. Join Our Free Will Writing Webinar To help you get started, we’ve partnered with expert estate planners Octopus Legacy , who will be hosting a free webinar(s) covering everything you need to know about writing or updating your will. Staff & Volunteers 12pm, Thursday 5th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters 12pm, Tuesday 10th March Online via Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration During the session, you’ll learn: Why it’s important to have an up-to-date will What to consider when writing or updating your will The different types of will-writing services available How Lasting Powers of Attorney work and why they matter How to claim your free will this Spring This webinar is designed to make what can feel like a complex process simple, clear and manageable. Why Having a Will Matters Having an up-to-date will ensures your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Without one, the law decides how your estate is distributed and that may not reflect what you would have wanted. A will gives you peace of mind. It allows you to: Provide clarity and security for your family Appoint guardians for children if needed Make specific gifts to individuals or causes Ensure your estate is handled efficiently Updating your will is just as important as writing one. Life changes marriages, children, property purchases, or changes in circumstances can all affect your wishes. Claim Your Free Will This Spring As part of this initiative, eligible staff and volunteers will have the opportunity to claim a free will-writing service. Full details will be shared during the webinar, including how to access this benefit. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. Writing or updating your will is one of the most responsible and caring decisions you can make for yourself and for those you care about. Register Now Spaces are available now, simply register using the link below: Staff & Volunteers - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uvirWft7S12lJUby6oUtnQ#/registration Supporters - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xxJNZd6ZQYKMOs-2fNz0Gg#/registration We hope you’ll join us on Thursday 5th March and take this positive step towards securing your future.

The Foundation supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

By Kaylem James • February 3, 2026
In my time as an assistant at The Steve Sinnott Foundation (SSF), one of my research tasks was looking into how the Foundation contributed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I really believe in the work of the Foundation and I have also been raising funds as I believe that every child must have the right to education. SSF is a UK-based educational charity focused on promoting quality education worldwide. It plays a supportive role in achieving the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 4: (Quality Education), but its work contributes to several others as well. Here's how the Foundation supports the SDGs: Goal 4 – Quality education (core focus) The Foundation's main mission is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. It supports teachers and educational initiatives in developing countries. It runs programmes like: The Education for All Campaign – advocating for universal access to education. Teacher empowerment projects – providing training and resources to educators in under-resourced countries. Girls' education programmes – encouraging and supporting girls to stay in school and complete their education. Goal 3 – Good health and well-being Through education, particularly health-related programmes, the Foundation contributes to raising awareness about hygiene, nutrition, and mental health. The Foundation has developed a range of webinars to promote health and wellbeing and these can be found on YouTube. Goal 5 – Gender equality The Foundation promotes girls' education, directly addressing barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing school. It advocates for the rights of women and girls, especially in patriarchal or disadvantaged societies. Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth By improving access to education and vocational training, the Foundation helps create employment opportunities. Educated individuals have better chances of securing decent work. Goal 10 – Reduced inequalities It supports marginalised groups, including children in rural or conflict-affected areas, contributing to reducing global inequalities in education. Goal 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions Promotes education as a force for peace and conflict resolution. Supports democratic participation and awareness through educational programmes that foster community engagement. Goal 17 – Partnerships for the goals Collaborates with NGOs, unions, schools, and governments to deliver and advocate for education projects. Builds international partnerships to achieve the SDGs through education. Summary While The Steve Sinnott Foundation's primary focus is on Goal 4, it contributes to many of the SDGs by empowering communities through education, particularly: Gender equality (Goal 5), Health (Goal 3), Economic growth (Goal 8), Reducing inequality (Goal 10), Peace (Goal 16), and Partnerships (Goal 17).  The Foundation’s programmes also contribute to the achievement of other SDGs through the power of the provision of education and life-long learning; 1. No Poverty, 2. Zero Hunger, 13. Climate Action. We believe that all of the 17 SDGs are only achievable by ensuring that all children, wherever they are born, deserve the human right of quality education. Over 250 million children are still out of school and the global out-of-school population has reduced by only 1% in nearly ten years, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024. There is still much work to do in achieving equitable and quality Education for All.