Things happened unexpectedly.
I’m six months pregnant, almost homeless and a victim of domestic abuse. My world is a wound and hopeless. Seeking help is a brave decision that I made with the help of my lawyer.
I applied for asylum in April 2021. I was an early bird, excited to attend my initial interview at the Home Office with my small luggage. I was a bit nervous when I stepped inside the building. I didn’t realise it was to be a long day and I did not have anything to eat and drink. My baby inside my tummy is kicking, it seems like he is starving too. I asked one lady officer if I can have some food and drink. She is nice and generous and grabbed some sandwiches and juice for me. I feel that day like there’s hope for everything.
It’s 5 o’clock in the afternoon. I am done and they take me to my initial hotel accommodation in Croydon. My perception changed into a positive outlook on life. Despite pains, anxiety, and bad experiences, I started to wake up every day with hope and delight.
The manager and staff of the hotel are responsible for looking after the needs and concerns of asylum seekers. I truly appreciated my midwife, home office drivers taking me for check-ups, and Migrant Help has big ears to listen to my concerns. After a couple of months I am allocated to Kentish Town. In July 2021 my beautiful baby is born at the Royal Free Hospital, London. I had a traumatic labour but my midwife is amazing. I’m in good hands, though my baby has many health issues but his health visitor and doctors look after him.
I am moved to the borough of Camden: new people, environment, individual differences, society and culture. Here I experienced management’s unequal treatment and discrimination to some asylum seekers when asking for help and food. Is it because we are asylum seekers? Some of them don’t know how to speak English so is it because of language barriers? There is a time I don’t want to go out and just stay inside my room rather than asking for help. I am moved again and my next accommodation is in South Acton.
The wind has changed into a nice breeze: the manager and staff act with respect, thoughtfulness and empathy to people, offering help instead of you asking. I see the same respect in the smiles on the faces of the asylum seekers. Changing location and accommodation is challenging.
Moving again, this time to Oxfordshire, at first I feel worried as I don’t want to move outside London. I asked to stay but must go. I’ve heard Oxford is nice and I should not worry. When I arrive at my new place I am surprised the house is big. It is a house-share, different nationalities, women and single moms like me.
My first night triggered my anxiety and I cried terribly. Thank you to my housemates who supported me and gave me advice. I embrace the surroundings, people and places. I feel more peaceful, relaxed, away from busy places in London. Every birthday at the house we celebrate, cooking varieties of foods with entertainment like singing and taking photos.
One of the best food banks is at Christ Church in Abingdon, which is a big help for us. The town center, library, park and river are in walking distance if you want to have fresh air. Though house-sharing with different nationalities, cultures, beliefs and languages, we have one goal and aspiration – to get settled.
Everyone has a different experience and journey in life. Some of us are suffering depression, anxiety and have unique needs for our children. I am thankful to all the services and organisations like the Oxon Perinatal Mental Health Group and Asylum Welcome for their help and support. I am taking courses at the moment and I am enthusiastically gaining knowledge and enhancing my skills to be useful in the future.
Thanks also to Rachel of Care4Calais for her dedication and efforts and for no end of clothes, toys, buggies, foods and helping us collaborate with health visitors and health services. Satisfying our needs and concerns and making us happy is priceless!
As an asylum seeker I believe that on every journey we get through we are not alone – it is just a leap of faith through to the right destination.
Exodus 
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