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Silhouette outline (© Refugee Action 2008. Photographs by Claudia Janke)
Infovault

REFUGEE VOICES - SAY IT WITH FEELING

At the very heart of our RAP sessions are the refugees and asylum seekers who talk about their experiences. Their words can change minds. Often it’s only when people hear these first-hand accounts of the terrible circumstances that force folks to flee, that they understand these complex situations more clearly.

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Ikraam

From Somalia to Bristol

“I heard about the Refugee Awareness Project - RAP - in September last year. I thought about how I am a refugee and have been an asylum seeker and how I have experienced it first-hand. I wanted to help people who are going through the same thing as I did. I can tell people that I know how it feels. I want British people to understand that we are also normal human beings who have faced persecution.

“When I came to the UK I was the only black person living in my area and I tried very hard to integrate, and I tried not to look different. Some people accept you and some people don’t.

“Some people think asylum seekers come over here because of economic reasons rather than because their life is in danger. I have coped with all these problems.

“Before I met Jo, another volunteer on the Refugee Awareness Project, I only knew a few British people just to say hello to on the street - mostly other mums from my kids’ school. I didn’t really have close contact with anyone. As an asylum seeker, you are always being moved from place to place so when we first arrived, I was always too exhausted and stressed to meet people properly.

“I am very pleased that I am able to go out now and talk to people and get our messages out to them. The asylum system is far away from being what many people think it is. It is not an easy process, there are lots of checks, taking finger-prints and going through your story. The reality is far away from the perception. The system is not a soft touch.

“With the Refugee Awareness Project, we tailor our talks to whoever we are working with. We will give a presentation about why people are here, about different countries.

“Sometimes I give people examples from my own experiences, and I tell them about how we suffered, how we survived and many of the difficult things we have experienced.

“In the first year, RAP is targeting young people. I think it's very important for young people who may meet asylum seekers or refugees in their schools or colleges or in their neighbourhoods to understand how they came to flee their country. Then they can understand asylum seekers and refugees are just like them, wanting to be a part of society.

“I enjoy being a part of RAP so much. I really want to see people integrate and mix. I don’t want refugees to keep to themselves, and I want British people to learn about refugees and to welcome them.

“I’ve learnt that you can say what you want in this culture – when you feel isolated or frustrated, you can express that. And it’s ok to say if you can’t do something or you can’t afford something. I’ve learnt that’s it not something to be ashamed of. In my culture, it’s really different, so now I have the confidence to feel and talk about what I want.

“I want to be even more independent though! I want to go forwards, not backwards. I want to have more self respect and pride in myself. I’ve now got a job and I don’t need government support and benefits and I’m really proud of this. But I want to do more - there is still so much to learn. I want to study, read, write, drive, swim!”

Please don’t reproduce this story in any other format without prior permission. Some names have been changed.

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