“I came to the UK with hope for a better future and a strong determination to rebuild my life. My journey has not been easy, but it has made me stronger and more focused on my goals.”
Through personalised support and encouragement, Ishag is now enrolled at Matthew Boulton College, studying English with the goal of beginning his GCSE courses there in September. With RMC’s support, Ishag has become an active member of his community- volunteering with the Active Health and Wellbeing Society, learning new skills and gaining valuable experience of the UK workplace. These opportunities are helping him take his first steps towards his dream of becoming a dentist. Ishag has shared his story with us.
Hope at the end of a long road
Ishag has recently moved from asylum accommodation into a shared house in Birmingham, with support from the Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC) through the Birmingham City Council-funded Move On Project. The project provides practical advice and support to help people who have newly been granted refugee status take their next steps towards settling into and participating in their local communities. RMC first connected with Ishag through our mental health outreach at local asylum accommodation.
Ishag was forced to leave his place at dentistry school in Khartoum and make the hazardous journey to South Sudan during the civil war. As an able-bodied young man of military age, he fell under suspicion of being a member of the opposition army. The truck in which he was travelling was severely overloaded and obliged to slow down periodically as it approached manned checkpoints. The axle was struggling to keep the 4 by 4 wheels together, tilting and swaying. The truck held the hopes and dreams of the young men who sat huddled together, as they left their formerly beautiful city of Khartoum, now severely damaged, bound for the south of their country and exile.
Ishag and his two friends from university managed to secure transport, availability was limited and as a result prices high. Ishag reflects on how the surrounding conflict in South Sudan was terrifying. The pressure to cover costs, and the risk of being unable to do so, heightened their sense of uncertainty. Eventually he was able to leave South Sudan and travel overland.
Making the most of every opportunity
Ishag speaks about his time in a refugee camp, which was the third part of his journey, looking back on his time working with a charity, Drop in the Ocean. Along with the two thousand people who were staying in his section, with six people per tent, he had gone to find a place to wash his clothes. Ishag had spent a year learning English, and when the charity saw how he conducted himself and that he spoke good English, they asked him to help them. So, Ishag would collect the camp clothes, wash and drop them off: this involved registering names and room numbers. Ishag has always had a desire to help people.
We first came across Ishag at his accommodation in Birmingham, when he was still having his Asylum case reviewed. He was often a spokesman for those who spoke little English, happy to help and assist. He approached RMC about volunteering opportunities in the local area, and with our support, he has become a volunteer at The Active Health and Wellbeing Society, where he volunteers twice a week.
“One of the most important experiences for me has been volunteering. I found this opportunity with the help of Hugo, who works at the RMC. He encouraged me to volunteer so I could learn more, connect with people, improve my English, and understand the culture better. Through volunteering, I learned how to work with others and communicate more confidently. I really enjoyed it because it gave me purpose. Volunteering made me feel useful and proud. It showed me that I can help others while building my own future.”
When we caught up with him several months later, he had been to the kitchen over fifteen times, and when asked what his favourite British dish is he said, “Apple Crumble”, which he has made himself at his home.
Ishag now feels apart of his new community:
“Since arriving I have worked hard to become part of my community. I have made friends, met people from different backgrounds, and taken part in local activities. This has helped me feel supported and accepted, as I always say being part of a community makes me feel like I am not alone, it gives me strength to move forward.
I now see the UK not only as a place of safety, but as a place where I belong”
Now feeling comfortable and confident in his new environment, Ishag is looking forward to his future in the UK, achieving his dream career and leading a happy, stable life: “Looking ahead, I want to continue my education by going to college and then university. I hope to build a career where I can help others and make a positive difference. I believe education is the key to achieving my goals. My dream is to build a stable life in the UK and give back to my community. I want to inspire others through hard work and determination. “
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