By Joel Tsvakwi
Zimbabwean author and educationist Ashton Bvute is set to launch his new book, Between Worlds: The Journey of Immigrant Children in the 21st Century, a research-informed work examining the complex experiences of children growing up across cultures, languages and national identities.
The book, due for release at a date yet to be announced before year ends, explores what happens when children leave the country, culture and social environment they know and begin rebuilding their lives in unfamiliar communities.
Drawing on research, educational perspectives and contemporary experiences of migration, Between Worlds examines some of the less visible challenges faced by immigrant children, including language barriers, cultural adjustment, identity formation, discrimination, family expectations, education and the search for belonging.
Bvute said the book was inspired by the need to look beyond immigration statistics and political debates and focus on the experiences of children themselves.
“Behind every immigration statistic is a child trying to understand where they belong, for many children, migration is not simply about moving from one country to another.
“It can mean learning a new language, entering a different school system, negotiating different cultural expectations and, at the same time, trying not to lose connection with where they came from,” he said
The author argues that immigrant children often find themselves living “between worlds “connected to the traditions and identity of their families while simultaneously adapting to the culture of their host societies.
The book considers how schools, parents, communities and public institutions can influence whether that experience becomes one of exclusion and confusion or an opportunity for resilience, multicultural identity and personal growth.
While migration is an international phenomenon, the subject carries particular significance for Zimbabwe, where decades of outward migration have resulted in thousands of Zimbabwean children being raised in countries including the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Canada and the United States.
For these families, questions of language, heritage and identity can become increasingly important as younger generations grow up away from Zimbabwe.
“How do we raise children who can confidently participate in the societies where they now live without making them feel that they must erase where they came from?” Bvute said. “That is one of the important conversations I hope this book will encourage.”
Rather than presenting migration solely as a story of hardship, Between Worlds also examines the resilience of immigrant children and the opportunities that can emerge from growing up with exposure to multiple cultures.
The book discusses the important roles played by parents and educators in helping children develop a secure sense of identity while navigating different cultural environments.
Bvute, whose professional and academic background spans education, child development and work with children and young people, has previously written on social issues. His earlier works include Racism or Ignorance? and The Contested Diamond. He was also recognised as Young Achiever of the Year at the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards in 2021 and Author of the Year at the Pride of Africa Awards in 2022.
Between Worlds also credits Marko Ncube as contributing researcher, reflecting the research-based approach underpinning the publication.
Bvute hopes the new book will reach audiences beyond academia and become a resource for parents, teachers, social-care professionals, policymakers, migrants and anyone interested in understanding how migration shapes childhood.
“At its heart, this is a book about children, identity and belonging,” he said. “A child should not have to choose between two worlds. We need to create environments where children can embrace their heritage while also developing a genuine sense of belonging in the countries they now call home.”
With international migration continuing to reshape families and communities around the world, Between Worlds: The Journey of Immigrant Children in the 21st Century seeks to add a Zimbabwean voice to the wider global conversation about migration, childhood and identity.
