Stefania Skorzewski, a 10-year-old from Hackney, has written an activity book called 'LONDI' to promote kindness and inclusivity after experiencing bullying at school because of her skin colour. She will present her campaign at Urban MBA on October 29.
Experiencing discrimination at age five
Stefania told MyLondon that when she was five, other children in her school playground would avoid playing with her. She said: “Other kids didn't want to play with me because of my skin colour.” Even though she couldn't fully understand what was happening, she found that other school kids would tease her or exclude her from play.
Her father, Rafal, is from Poland, and her mother, Francesca, is from Indonesia. Rafal described hearing about his daughter's experiences as “heartbreaking.” He told MyLondon: “I've been in London for over 25 years. Stefania found that some children are bringing from home what they are not supposed to. It's heartbreaking to know she experienced this. I've experienced [discrimination], and my wife has also. That is why we need the good to win.”
Creating 'LONDI' to spread kindness
When Stefania was nine, she and her dad decided to use her experiences to promote kindness. She created the book 'LONDI', which features a plush red telephone box named Londi. The character appears in four versions and takes readers through a range of emotions. The book, titled 'Londi Kindness', is an activity book filled with colouring, puzzles, mazes, and activities that convey the message that children should interact with each other and not exclude others.
Stefania said: “I hope children and parents can read my book and do it together. People discriminated against me in year one because of my skin colour. I don't want children to experience that so I'm hoping to change that. Invite someone who is alone to play, help a friend or share something. Then encourage someone else to do something kind. I call that being a kindness ambassador: showing kindness through what you do.”
Campaign launch and family hopes
At only ten, Stefania is planning to launch her own campaign to stand up for kindness. On October 29, she will present her campaign herself at Urban MBA. She added: “I want to change the world for the better. I can’t do everything myself, but I can start and invite others. Now, at school, there's no more bullying and I'm having a lot of fun.”
Her father, Rafal, hopes the campaign will make the world a better place. He said: “I want this world to be a better place for her, her friends and generations to come. Discrimination will be there, and it's still present, but as a parent, I always speak with other parents about making things better for our children. Children from different backgrounds should play together and our differences should bring us together. Goodness needs to win all the time. There's always going to be agendas [that want to drive us apart] but that why we are here.”
