Kanduro: A Refugee Journey Experience
Why Kanduro?
Refugees experience things most of us cannot begin to fathom. But can we try to fathom it? And should we?
Yes, we can absolutely try. And we should.
When developing Kanduro, the intent was to create a believable world that you could immerse yourself in for 30 or 40 minutes at a time. Do the things you read feel far-fetched? Impossible? They are not. Every situation in Kanduro is drawn from real events.
In the media, refugees are often reduced to a massive, faceless group. But they are individuals, with unique interests, skills, personalities, values, and dreams. Each person has a name.
Treat the decisions in Kanduro as if you were making them for yourself, not for some anonymous name on a card. What would you buy if you had severely limited funds? What kinds of risks would you take along your journey? Would you be prepared to face the consequences if things went wrong…if they were happening to you and your loved ones?
playing kanduro
The country of Kanduro is in crisis. To the east, the United Republic (U.R.) is ruled by a genocidal dictator with a powerful army. The U.R. has declared war on Kanduro and warned neighboring countries against offering safety to Kanduran citizens.
As war ravages homes and communities, food and water grow scarce. Brave Kanduran citizens have no choice but to flee, hoping to reach Bengeruk, a safer nation farther east. But the path to Bengeruk is treacherous, with danger at every step.
A Fully Cooperative Experience
Participants work together to determine the best path forward for their convoy of refugees. All resources are shared, and every decision must be made by group consensus.
Most of the time, there will be two routes to consider. A shorter route may carry greater dangers and fewer resources. A longer route might be safer but takes precious time — and the convoy may not reach Bengeruk before it is too late.
Some predicaments do have solutions. For instance, refugees in a capsized boat may survive if you invested in lifejackets beforehand. But if your convoy encounters armed forces or border guards from the United Republic or its allies, you will be detained, and the experience ends immediately.
true to life challenges
While some emergencies have solutions — for example, buying lifejackets to prepare for a capsized boat — other situations may be beyond your control. If your convoy encounters armed forces or hostile border guards from the United Republic or its allies, you will be detained, and your journey ends.
Kanduro’s incidents are drawn from real refugee stories around the world. They reflect the heartbreaking, unfair decisions that real people are forced to make every day.
beyond the table
Kanduro is more than a cooperative simulation. The package also includes:
- Jata Okorie’s Journal, fictional short story expanding the world of Kanduro
- A nonfiction booklet documenting real refugee experiences and facts
- Music from the world of Kanduro
- Postcards, mini posters, and other small items
This is not a game you “win.” It is a chance to step into an unimaginably hard journey, feel the weight of those choices, and better understand why refugees need support and compassion.
