As some of you may know, the Refugee Action team recently sent out a questionnaire to get the indispensable input of our supporters.
One of the questions we asked was: What created your interest in refugees?
We also offered our supporters the chance to win a LUSH basket or a book token for the most interesting answer!
Many people took part in the survey, and we are so grateful for this as it really gave us a great deal of insight into how our campaigners think and work.
The two lucky winners gave us these answers:
“I was brought up to believe that all human beings are equal and as a child I naively assumed that everyone would want to support anyone who was in need; so just as when my next neighbor’s car wont start and so I take her children to school, surely a person arriving here from another country would be welcomed and empowered to get their life back on track. As I’ve got older I’ve realized more and more that although there are many people who do not see the barriers of border, language religion and culture, so there are many people who are keenly aware of these things and their response to is to pull everything tight to their chest and say “keep out”! When I attended training organized by Refugee Action and discovered that the financial support being offered to Asylum Seekers was so low and also being cut, I was horrified. I would think nothing on spending the money they receive in one week on a nice meal out or a massage. My experience of asylum seekers and refugees is that they are keen to work and be part of their community. They are valuable people to have in our country and I wanted to make my feelings heard about this issue.”
- Suzanne Taylor
”I met a young Afghani Refugee one day at a family fun afternoon. He spoke nearly no English but we communicated well enough with lots of acting! Getting to know him and seeing the world through his eyes forced me to become an activist for the rights of asylum seekers. I sadly saw him removed to Kabul last year. He has not been able to go our freely in public since returning and lives in constant fear. Refugee Action’s campaigns are a way to show solidarity with him in a small way.”
- Rachael Bee
Some of the other responses we received were so touching and interesting that, although they did not win the prize, we decided to share them with all our blog readers! So here they are and enjoy:
“To stop the mindless attitude that “asylum seekers are bogus and get given Sky TV, free money, large houses, cars, mobile phones and loads of flash clothes” and encourage people to see the individual who’s in need- that for a twist of fate could have been them.”
- Pam Vallance
“Finding a woman and her young son sat outside Refugee Action Manchester office after hours in torrential rain. they had all their belongings with them and no idea where to go or what to do next. I don’t think I will ever forget the despair on her face or the need within myself to do something to help her.”
- Sarah Keeler
“My parents offered hospitality to refugees from Hungary around the time I was born. They did what they could to help Igbo people in northern Nigeria escape genocidal violence when I was a child. I grew up with those values and supporting Refugee Action in working with some of the most vulnerable – and vilified – people in the country seems the least I can do.”
- Catherine Annabel
“The hypocrisy of people in this country who take for granted their freedom to live and work in other countries yet deny those much more in need of that mobility the opportunity to do the same.”
- Frank Harkin
“The ludicrous and unfair reality that artificial borders should determine someone’s chances in life and likelihood of persecution.”
- Zohra Moosa
“I teach 16-19-year-olds about diversity. They are quite anti refugees and I was trying to change their minds.”
- Sue Hinks
“I am an aromatherapy practitioner – I often use my skills to support refugees who are HIV+. They often confide in me about their hopes, dreams and fears. Hearing their stories further piqued my interest.”
- Sophie Hudson
“I work with asylum seekers and see them facing the increasing possibility of destitution, ill health, and the reality of stigma and discrimination. I believe that the campaigning by agencies such as yourselves can and will make a difference but to some extent we are swimming against an increasingly strong current of fear, prejudice and lack of big picture vision. Anything that helps challenge institutionalized racist attitudes and educates people in wider and global community experience is good for everybody’s wellbeing. Rock on Refugee Action!”
- Kathy Charters
“Hatred of xenophobia. It will win me no prizes, bit it IS the truth!”
- Geoffrey Curl
“Having worked in the Middle East during conflicts, especially with the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and then the Coalition Occupation of Iraq (Baghdad), I saw for myself what caused people to flee their home countries. This made me ponder!”
- Geoffrey Read
Read about our current campaign to create a fair process for lesbian and gay asylum seekers who have fled persecution.
http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/campaigns/freetobeme/Freetobemeaction.aspx
Posted by Chiara Gnoli