Giant Puppet of Refugee Little Amal Brings Hope to Ferndale on Walk Across America

Giant Puppet of Refugee Little Amal Brings Hope to Ferndale on Walk Across America

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 25, 2023)

Ferndale, MI – In some parts of the world, children must hide from bombs and soldiers. They struggle with hunger, homelessness, and death. Sometimes these children are able to flee their violent homelands, to become refugees in other lands.  While the world grows weary of endless battles, sometimes it takes the spirit of a child to remind people of compassion and hope for those displaced by war.

Little Amal is a is a 12-ft tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee. With long dark hair and large expressive eyes that blink as she moves with human-like grace, Little Amal has been traveling the world to share the meaning of her Arabic name – hope.  On Sunday Little Amal visited Downtown Ferndale, taking a stroll through the Funky Ferndale Art Fair.  She walked along Nine Mile and Allen Roads, with delighted children holding signs to welcome her. An ever-growing crowd of people followed her to a tent where a welcoming committee from Oakland County presented her with a blanket covered in signatures and well-wishes.

County Executive Dave Coulter and Ferndale Mayor Melanie Piana were among those who spoke about Little Amal’s journey, and how honored they were for the puppet to pick Downtown Ferndale for a visit.

“Little Amal is a powerful symbol of the plight of refugees around the world and we’re honored that she will spend a few days in Michigan to shine a light on the need for understanding, compassion and resources for displaced people,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter prior to the event. “Oakland County is a welcoming county for all people, including immigrants, refugees, displaced people and Little Amal.”

Oakland County Commissioner William Miller of Farmington also attended to greet Little Amal.  Miller has been spearheading the process of making Oakland County a certified Welcoming County through Welcoming America.  “It’s a big process,” Miller said. “They audit the county’s policies and procedures to make sure that we are being truly welcoming for all people.”

In April 2019,  Miller delivered the very first Welcoming Resolution to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. “This was a pivotal moment because it kicked off what was to become Welcoming Oakland, a consortium of agencies and organizations that operate in the immigrant and refugee space within the County,” according to the Oakland County website.  “Welcoming Oakland’s roadmap for the county includes participation in Resilience and Emergency Management for Inclusive Communities seminars; working to fill food security needs in immigrant communities; translation assistance; and connecting immigrants in need with much-needed services available in the county.”

Little Amal has already visited 15 countries, and this fall is traveling across the United States. In addition to raising awareness about refugees, she raises money for the Amal Fund. The fund’s website explains:

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