Sahar - refugee helping others
Sahar and her husband arrived in England four years ago with their three children and speaking no English. After meeting her volunteer from Herts Welcomes Refugees she was supported in all aspects of life.
Sahar says, “My volunteer Veronica, is an amazing women and she is gorgeous and helpful. I love her.”
Sahar says that Veronica helped her with shopping, the doctor, schools, learning about the culture in the UK and learning to drive. She attended college to learn English four days a week for two years and her HWR volunteer helped once a week with English and with her other needs. The children were also helped by HWR with school uniforms and their English.
Now, because of the help Sahar herself received from HWR, she welcomes and assists new refugee families when they arrive. She tells us ‘Sometimes we hold meetings with women in the area. And these meetings are either at home or in the garden, to discuss anything new, problems or obstacles. And we do welcome parties for the new refugees, with the help of Veronica and the volunteers.’
Veronica from HWR says ‘Sahar galvanises the local families to support new arrivals who are often shell shocked when they arrive. Sahar helps these families to feel supported. Not only is she able to help with practical matters, such as where to buy the appropriate food and sorting out SIM cards, but more importantly she can give emotional support and the reassurance that this period of shock and adjustment will pass, which HWR volunteers cannot give in the same way’.
Sahar is very modest and tells us “I am not a community leader; we are all sisters”.
We love this example of refugees helping new arrivals. Thank you Sahar!
Sahar says, “My volunteer Veronica, is an amazing women and she is gorgeous and helpful. I love her.”
Sahar says that Veronica helped her with shopping, the doctor, schools, learning about the culture in the UK and learning to drive. She attended college to learn English four days a week for two years and her HWR volunteer helped once a week with English and with her other needs. The children were also helped by HWR with school uniforms and their English.
Now, because of the help Sahar herself received from HWR, she welcomes and assists new refugee families when they arrive. She tells us ‘Sometimes we hold meetings with women in the area. And these meetings are either at home or in the garden, to discuss anything new, problems or obstacles. And we do welcome parties for the new refugees, with the help of Veronica and the volunteers.’
Veronica from HWR says ‘Sahar galvanises the local families to support new arrivals who are often shell shocked when they arrive. Sahar helps these families to feel supported. Not only is she able to help with practical matters, such as where to buy the appropriate food and sorting out SIM cards, but more importantly she can give emotional support and the reassurance that this period of shock and adjustment will pass, which HWR volunteers cannot give in the same way’.
Sahar is very modest and tells us “I am not a community leader; we are all sisters”.
We love this example of refugees helping new arrivals. Thank you Sahar!
Meet Amira
Amira, along with her husband and two children, arrived in England seven years ago from Syria speaking only Arabic. She says she could not even say her name. Today, Amira is a confident English speaker, who now has four children and has learnt to drive. All her children attend school and Amira herself is looking for work.
Amira was supported by Herts Welcomes Refugees by three volunteers. As Amira had very young children she could not attend the local college to learn English, and so Judy, a specialist ESOL tutor, met Amira once a week to help her learn English. Two other volunteers - Sobia and Nayla - came for two hours every week to help her with English conversation, and to help her understand the culture and to offer support with everyday things, such as health appointments, letters from the children’s schools and bills. and so the volunteers came to her home to help her.
Amira also talks of the help Sobia and Nayla provided during her pregnancies and labour, and describes them as “angels as I found everything so hard.” They helped Amira with her health appointments and during labour by staying and supporting her, giving her massages and support throughout.
Amira says that she could not have managed without the help of her volunteers. She said “It’s really hard when you cannot speak the language and you have no family around you to help.” She added, “The volunteers became like my family and helped me”.
Judy, the ESOL volunteer said, “Amira has been an amazing student, from having no English at all, she has worked very hard and now is a confident English speaker.”
Amira started college in September 2022, but has recently left to find work.
Amira was supported by Herts Welcomes Refugees by three volunteers. As Amira had very young children she could not attend the local college to learn English, and so Judy, a specialist ESOL tutor, met Amira once a week to help her learn English. Two other volunteers - Sobia and Nayla - came for two hours every week to help her with English conversation, and to help her understand the culture and to offer support with everyday things, such as health appointments, letters from the children’s schools and bills. and so the volunteers came to her home to help her.
Amira also talks of the help Sobia and Nayla provided during her pregnancies and labour, and describes them as “angels as I found everything so hard.” They helped Amira with her health appointments and during labour by staying and supporting her, giving her massages and support throughout.
Amira says that she could not have managed without the help of her volunteers. She said “It’s really hard when you cannot speak the language and you have no family around you to help.” She added, “The volunteers became like my family and helped me”.
Judy, the ESOL volunteer said, “Amira has been an amazing student, from having no English at all, she has worked very hard and now is a confident English speaker.”
Amira started college in September 2022, but has recently left to find work.
Meet Simin: mother, student, volunteer
Simin is a refugee partner from Afghanistan who is now at college and has been volunteering with local asylum seekers.
She writes:
“I'm Simin Shafaq and I'm 28 years old. I have lived in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. In August 2021 my husband, I and our two little boys were evacuated to England (My Dream Land).
My family is an open-minded family and all the girls in our family were very active and educated. I love and feel proud of my family 🥰. I worked with many organisations and got my bachelor’s degree in Kabul.
From the day I arrived in the Refugee Hotel in England I started volunteering there. I was helping plan ladies’ activities, English classes, helping with the children and translating. It feels amazing when you found yourself very helpful to the people around you.
I love to help people as much as I can. Their smile and happiness makes me feel proud and do even more. I love communicating in any community where I live because we are part of that society and sometimes my small act can bring a nice smile.
When I came to the UK the first months were the hardest l of my life. I left everything, especially my loved ones but hoping to be together one day in a peaceful place. We had tough days but fortunately we survived all those days and now we are here, safe and happy.”
She writes:
“I'm Simin Shafaq and I'm 28 years old. I have lived in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. In August 2021 my husband, I and our two little boys were evacuated to England (My Dream Land).
My family is an open-minded family and all the girls in our family were very active and educated. I love and feel proud of my family 🥰. I worked with many organisations and got my bachelor’s degree in Kabul.
From the day I arrived in the Refugee Hotel in England I started volunteering there. I was helping plan ladies’ activities, English classes, helping with the children and translating. It feels amazing when you found yourself very helpful to the people around you.
I love to help people as much as I can. Their smile and happiness makes me feel proud and do even more. I love communicating in any community where I live because we are part of that society and sometimes my small act can bring a nice smile.
When I came to the UK the first months were the hardest l of my life. I left everything, especially my loved ones but hoping to be together one day in a peaceful place. We had tough days but fortunately we survived all those days and now we are here, safe and happy.”
Meet Ghazal: Artist, teacher, asylum seeker
Ghazal was born in Tehran to an artistic family. Her childhood passion for painting led her to become a graphic designer and illustrator. For years she taught art classes, designed children’s books and sold her magnificent paintings.
Three years ago, Ghazal fled Iran. After she converted to Christianity, her life was in danger. Having left her family and the life she’d built, Ghazal found relief from the stress of immigration by focusing on painting and colour.
Over her three years in exile, Ghazal taught painting and drawing to refugee children. She believes that art can colour the darkness for children and adults who are struggling with immigration.
Ghazal has now been in the UK for three months, waiting for a decision on her asylum claim. She dreams that someday she’ll organise an exhibition and sell her work again.
We’ve been helping Ghazal access supplies so that she can continue making art, and she was excited for us to share some of her beautiful works with supporters of Herts Welcomes Refugees.
Three years ago, Ghazal fled Iran. After she converted to Christianity, her life was in danger. Having left her family and the life she’d built, Ghazal found relief from the stress of immigration by focusing on painting and colour.
Over her three years in exile, Ghazal taught painting and drawing to refugee children. She believes that art can colour the darkness for children and adults who are struggling with immigration.
Ghazal has now been in the UK for three months, waiting for a decision on her asylum claim. She dreams that someday she’ll organise an exhibition and sell her work again.
We’ve been helping Ghazal access supplies so that she can continue making art, and she was excited for us to share some of her beautiful works with supporters of Herts Welcomes Refugees.
Meet Hazem, Aerospace Engineering Student
Hazem arrived in Hertfordshire from Damascus, Syria in 2016.
Although he spoke Turkish and Arabic, Hazem couldn’t speak English and found basic communication challenging. So he tried to memorise every English word and then translate it.
After studying English as a second language, Hazem took an apprenticeship in engineering at Oaklands College. He was recently awarded a scholarship to study Aerospace Engineering at Brunel University.
When Hazem needed a laptop that could run 3D Design Software for his course, Herts Welcomes Refugees helped him to get one.
We caught up with Hazem while he was on Brunel’s campus for his induction day. He shared his intention of finishing with a first class degree and of one day becoming a pilot.
Hazem admitted he was a little nervous about university. “On this couse, it’s quite intense,” he explained. “It’s very maths based. I’m going to need a lot of support, so the university will help me with this.”
His advice to other young refugees: “Ask people to help. People in this organisation [Herts Welcomes Refugees], they love to help you.”
Although he spoke Turkish and Arabic, Hazem couldn’t speak English and found basic communication challenging. So he tried to memorise every English word and then translate it.
After studying English as a second language, Hazem took an apprenticeship in engineering at Oaklands College. He was recently awarded a scholarship to study Aerospace Engineering at Brunel University.
When Hazem needed a laptop that could run 3D Design Software for his course, Herts Welcomes Refugees helped him to get one.
We caught up with Hazem while he was on Brunel’s campus for his induction day. He shared his intention of finishing with a first class degree and of one day becoming a pilot.
Hazem admitted he was a little nervous about university. “On this couse, it’s quite intense,” he explained. “It’s very maths based. I’m going to need a lot of support, so the university will help me with this.”
His advice to other young refugees: “Ask people to help. People in this organisation [Herts Welcomes Refugees], they love to help you.”
Meet Mariam, Biomedical Sciences Student
Mariam was thirteen years old when she left Syria with her family. When they first arrived in Hertfordshire, the family felt very isolated. None of them spoke English and they were overwhelmed. “We didn’t know how to use the bus. We didn’t know how to go to town or the shops to get what we needed,” Mariam recalled.
Additionally, Mariam’s older brother had heart problems. “It’s one of the main reasons why we came to the UK, because my brother needed an operation,” she said.
Mariam learned English by speaking with older people and attending school. She worked really hard to listen and communicate with people. When she needed help with her GCSEs, Herts Welcomes Refugees helped her to get a tutor. “When we needed help,” Mariam said. “Herts Welcomes Refugees was there.”
Today Mariam is studying Biomedical Sciences at Westminster University. She hopes to become a cardiologist or a surgeon because of her older brother’s heart problem. “I’ve been with him through his treatment and surgery so I know quite a lot about the heart and it really interests me,” she said.
Mariam hopes to pass her driving test in January. With the support of Herts Welcomes Refugees, she recently earned a qualification as an interpreter so she can work remotely while attending university.
“The first year [in the UK] was so hard in so many ways,” Mariam said. “But you have to be patient and work hard. If I didn’t work hard, I wouldn’t be at university right now.”
Additionally, Mariam’s older brother had heart problems. “It’s one of the main reasons why we came to the UK, because my brother needed an operation,” she said.
Mariam learned English by speaking with older people and attending school. She worked really hard to listen and communicate with people. When she needed help with her GCSEs, Herts Welcomes Refugees helped her to get a tutor. “When we needed help,” Mariam said. “Herts Welcomes Refugees was there.”
Today Mariam is studying Biomedical Sciences at Westminster University. She hopes to become a cardiologist or a surgeon because of her older brother’s heart problem. “I’ve been with him through his treatment and surgery so I know quite a lot about the heart and it really interests me,” she said.
Mariam hopes to pass her driving test in January. With the support of Herts Welcomes Refugees, she recently earned a qualification as an interpreter so she can work remotely while attending university.
“The first year [in the UK] was so hard in so many ways,” Mariam said. “But you have to be patient and work hard. If I didn’t work hard, I wouldn’t be at university right now.”