Return and reflection meal
Arrival back at base
2:15pm – 2:30pm: Return to assault course venue area
Still muddy setup
- Participants remain in muddy clothes (crucial element)
- Sit on ground / tarpaulins outdoors if weather permits
- Create circle formation for community feeling
- Distribute frugal lunch whilst seated
- Maintain discomfort to enhance empathy connection
Why staying muddy matters
- Physical reminder of refugee reality (not being able to clean up)
- Continued discomfort throughout meal creates empathy
- Visual reminder of journey completed together
- Symbolic: privileges we take for granted (clean clothes, warm showers)
- Creates lasting memory of shared hardship
The frugal meal
2:30pm – 3:00pm: Simple lunch together
Food characteristics
- Basic, bland, aid-agency style meal
- Simple carbohydrates (plain rice or pasta)
- Minimal seasoning or flavour
- Small portions deliberately insufficient for satisfaction
- Provided in basic containers (paper plates, plastic cups)
- Water to drink, no treats or extras
Meal discussion while eating
- How does this food compare to what you expected?
- What would refugees feel eating similar meals daily?
- What do we take for granted about our regular meals?
- How does hunger feel after physical exertion?
- What does “grateful for basic sustenance” really mean?
Managing expectations
- Brief participants beforehand that lunch will be basic
- Explain connection to refugee ration reality
- Allow complaints – they’re part of the learning
- Don’t make anyone feel guilty about honest reactions
- Use the experience to deepen understanding
Structured reflection
3:00pm – 3:30pm: Facilitated discussion
Creating the space
- Remain seated in circle on ground
- Still in muddy clothes throughout
- Everyone visible to each other
- Safe environment for sharing
- Leaders facilitate without dominating
Discussion themes
For daughters
- “What did you learn about your mum today that you didn’t know before?”
- “What was the hardest thing you saw your mum do?”
- “How did it feel working together through challenges?”
- “What do you think refugee children experience on their journeys?”
- “What will you remember most about today?”
For mothers
- “What surprised you about your daughter today?”
- “How did it feel being challenged alongside your daughter?”
- “What did you learn about yourself?”
- “How does this connect to what refugee mothers experience?”
- “What has this taught you about your relationship?”
For both
- “How did supporting each other make challenges easier?”
- “What Islamic values did we experience today (sabr, teamwork, empathy)?”
- “How will you carry these lessons forward?”
- “What can we do to support refugees?”
- “How has today changed your perspective?”
Facilitation guidance
- Allow silence for thinking time
- Don’t force participation but encourage sharing
- Validate all contributions positively
- Connect individual insights to broader themes
- Summarise key learnings periodically
- End with appreciation for everyone’s honesty and effort
Closing ceremony
3:30pm – 3:45pm: Celebration and recognition
Acknowledging achievement
- Formal recognition that everyone completed the challenge
- Appreciation for mothers’ determination in facing tougher standards
- Celebration of daughters’ courage and teamwork
- Special mention of mother-daughter pairs who showed exceptional support
- Acknowledgment that staying muddy was part of the experience
Connecting to purpose
- Remind about refugee realities that inspired the challenge
- Discuss how today’s experience builds empathy
- Share information about refugees the fundraising will support
- Encourage continued support and awareness
- Suggest ways families can extend the learning
Practical wrap-up
- Explain that everyone goes home still muddy (by design)
- Instructions for protecting car seats (bin bags / plastic sheeting)
- Encouragement to continue conversations during car journey
- Information about follow-up family discussion opportunities
- Distribution of any certificates or mementos