Head to the Rose Theatre this weekend for an inspirational musical based on the true story of refugee children from Rwanda.

Kesho Amahoro follows the journey of a young girl fleeing from the genocide of 1994.

Esperance and her younger siblings, having been separated from their parents, join up with a tough group of young refugees at a camp in Tanzania.

They need love, strength, and perseverance to ride out the terrible events.

The play was written by Lizzie Jago, a teacher in Kenya who worked with Tearfund during the refugee crisis.

Anna Rusbatch, musical director of theatre company Chicken Knitters, says: “It follows the journey of some of the children Lizzie met.

“It is about celebrating real resilience in times of great hardship and hopefully inspiring the audience.

“It has a really uplifting finale.

“We wanted to really create an awesome atmosphere in the theatre for the kids.

The children’s struggles in the camp include run-ins with a criminal gang and the tragic death of one of their number.

The play also tells of how the Red Cross and other organisations worked with children who had been separated from their families.

When news arrives that refugees are planning to return to Rwanda, the children set out hopefully again to try and build a more peaceful country.

Rusbatch adds: “The UK kids have been rehearsing since January weekly after school. The Kenyans have been rehearsing on and off – they have exams at school.

“Artistically that side of it is really exciting. The kids are developing a real empathy for their characters and an understanding of what a refugee is.”

Kesho Amahoro; Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston; Friday, July 26, Saturday, July 27, Sunday, July 28; various times; £5-£15; Visit rosetheatrekingston.org or call 08444 821556.