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.”