Why do people risk everything to leave their country?

Whāinga ako: Lesson Goals

To explore why some people are trapped in difficult living and working conditions — and why others take enormous risks to leave. Students will gain empathy and insight into the complex reasons behind migration, including poverty, family, fear, hope, and survival.

Mahi - work

If you had to leave your home today, what would stop you?

Brainstorm in your books the sorts of things that would make it hard to leave if I told you, you have to leave your home today.

What do you need to have to move countries?

Legal barriers – You need passports, visas, and often government permission to leave or enter a country.
Financial cost – Plane tickets are unaffordable; even smugglers demand huge sums.
Physical risk – Unsafe boats, long foot journeys, dangerous smugglers, etc.
Family and cultural ties – Many don’t want to leave their children, elders, or community behind.
Tūrangawaewae - Cultural ties to the land, a place of importance, where their ancestors are buried.
Fear of the unknown – Language, laws, police, detention centres, racism.

Economic Migrant vs Refugee

A worker stuck in poverty, unsafe working conditions etc. is not a refugee under international law, however there are definite similarities. People migrate to other countries when they feel like they have no other choice, especially when they need to escape war.

Why Leaving Isn't Easy

Even if people want to leave unsafe or unfair situations, leaving is extremely difficult and often dangerous. Here’s why:

Travel costs: Plane tickets, buses, or smugglers often cost thousands of dollars.
Visas and paperwork: Applying for a visa or passport costs money — and many people don’t even have official ID. This leads to people trying to get in illegally.
Bribes and corruption: In some countries, you may need to bribe officials just to get out.
Many people earn $2–$5 a day — saving enough to leave is nearly impossible.

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Did this change how you think about workers or others in hard situations?
Would you make the same decision if you were in their shoes?
What’s the difference between can’t leave and won’t leave?

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