My Name is Samim by Fidan Meikle

Today we welcome Fidan Meikle to the blog to introduce us to her journey with Samim, the main character in her book, My Name is Samim.

 

 

My Journey with Samim’s Story

A few years ago, I came across an article about an Afghan refugee boy who, along with his brother, made the dangerous journey to the UK. Tragically, his brother drowned in the English Channel while trying to swim across, never making it to safety. The story stayed with me for weeks, haunting my thoughts, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it needed to be told.

That article was the beginning of Samim’s story. It made me think about the countless children who face these unimaginable challenges every day, and how little we truly know about their experiences. I knew I had to write something that would reflect their journey, not just the hardships, but also the strength, hope, and resilience they carry with them.

Of course, I wanted to get everything right. Even though I have a background in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, and I already knew a lot about Afghanistan and the refugee crisis, I knew I had to dive deeper. I read memoirs, stories from refugees, and reports from organisations working with asylum seekers. I also worked closely with an Afghan photojournalist who helped me make Samim’s journey feel as real and authentic as possible.

The hardest part of writing was finding the balance between the tough realities Samim faces and the hope he holds onto throughout. This is where Zayn, Samim’s best friend, played an important role. Zayn’s humour and light-heartedness brought some brightness to Samim’s world, even during the darkest moments.

Writing this book has been an emotional and rewarding journey. It’s been about telling a story that’s not just about struggle but also about the power of human spirit and connection. I hope Samim’s story helps young readers understand what it means to be a refugee – not as a label, but as a person with dreams, fears, and the will to keep going.

When I finished the book, my daughter, who was only eight at the time, asked me, “What’s the one thing your book is about, Mummy?” I wanted to say that it was about friendship, hope and resilience, but she shook her head and raised her finger – “Just one thing.” After a moment of reflection, I realised the answer was simple: if it must be one thing, then it must be about kindness.