SAN DIEGO — Little Amal is making big waves.
She’s a 12-foot puppet representing a 10-year-old Syrian refugee who was displaced. San Diego County residents who came to San Ysidro Saturday are calling her a symbol of compassion and human rights. She’s carrying a message of hope for displaced people everywhere, especially children who have been separated from their families.
"She is a large empathy muscle that brings a lot of reverence and reflection and community bonding," said Khadijat Oseni, Artistic Associate for Little Amal USA.
Saturday, she walked through a San Ysidro neighborhood collecting letters that will go to migrant families living across the border in Tijuana.
"We are sending post cards of love empathy, hope and perseverance and we will send those words to a migrant shelter where 1,500 migrants are waiting for Amal," said Teddy Cruz, Co-Director of Global Justice at UCSD.
Since July 2021, Amal has travelled more than 6,000 miles through 97 towns and cities in 14 countries. She is journeying 11,000 miles across the United States, making her final stop in San Diego before heading to Mexico.
"We did encounter migrant families that had to flee for a better situation. So, again, it's honoring and investigating these long journeys that people have to make and also celebrating the richest of culture that migrants, immigrants and anyone that is considered marginalized," said Oseni.
The Handspring Puppet Company designed Amal hoping to bring peace during a time when political tensions are high.
"The hope is that as global migration is detonated because of political strife, poverty and ultimately violence. We need to really maintain our spirit of solidarity, love, inclusion and empathy," said Cruz.
Saturday, Little Amal also made stops in Balboa Park, Chicano Park and South Mission Beach.
She’s walked through 40 cities from Boston to San Diego and will be visiting 6 cities in Mexico.
"When you're in her presence, it's quite magical," said Oseni.
Organizers started The Amal Fund. They hope to raise $5 million to go towards displaced children, including their educational and medical resources.
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