A refugee's story | Migration: a human story

Summary

Born in Ethiopia, the speaker recounts a childhood marred by violence and oppression, leading to their family's escape and life in a Kenyan refugee camp. Amidst scarcity and harsh conditions, they learned resilience and the value of life. After years, they were fortunate to resettle in the UK, where they received support and began anew. The speaker aspires to help their community and shares a message of hope for fellow refugees, emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Born in Ethiopia, the speaker's family left due to oppression and violence against the Oromo people.
• 🔒 The speaker's father was imprisoned and bears physical scars, now disabled, and the mother also has scars from imprisonment.
• 🏕️ Grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya for 15 years, experiencing harsh living conditions with limited resources.
• 🌱 Despite difficulties, the refugee camp life taught patience, understanding, and the value of life.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The camp was a diverse community with people from different countries and backgrounds.
• 🏥 Health issues like malaria were common, causing extended absences from school.
• 🗣️ The resettlement process was lengthy and involved interviews and orientation about life in the UK.
• ✈️ The family was fortunate to get resettlement in the UK, a process that can take decades for some.
• 🏡 Upon arrival in the UK, they were supported by refugee action staff and caseworkers who helped them adjust.
• 💼 The speaker aims to settle permanently in the UK for a better life for their children and possibly represent their people.
• 💔 Mental health is a significant concern for refugees, with many suffering in silence.

Q & A

Where was the speaker born and why did they leave Ethiopia?

The speaker was born in Ethiopia. They left Ethiopia due to a lot of killing and oppression against their ethnic group, the Oromo.

What was the speaker's father's experience with imprisonment?

The speaker's father was imprisoned and bears many scars on his body from the experience, which has left him disabled.

How did growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya shape the speaker's life?

Growing up in a refugee camp taught the speaker patience, understanding, and the value of life. It also exposed them to a diverse community with different experiences and languages.

What were the living conditions like in the refugee camp?

The living conditions in the refugee camp were harsh, with scarce water, limited food, poor housing, and unspeakable health conditions.

How did the speaker and their family end up in the UK?

The speaker's family was fortunate to receive a resettlement opportunity, which after a long process that included medical and orientation checks, led to their arrival in the UK.

What support did the speaker receive upon arrival in the UK?

Upon arrival, the speaker was met by refugee action staff and caseworkers who helped them with registration, understanding how to shop, and settling into their new life.

Why does the speaker want to settle permanently in the UK?

The speaker wants to settle permanently in the UK because they believe their children will have a better life there.

What is the speaker's current occupation and future aspirations?

The speaker currently works as an interpreter and aspires to possibly represent their people once they obtain further qualifications.

What message does the speaker want to convey to others in the refugee camp?

The speaker wants to convey a message of hope to others in the refugee camp, emphasizing the importance of holding on and being patient.

How does the speaker reflect on the mental health of refugees?

The speaker acknowledges that the mental health of refugees is often at risk, with many people 'dying inside' due to the trauma they've experienced.

What are the lasting impacts of the speaker's childhood on their current life?

The memories of the speaker's childhood in the refugee camp still stick with them, even as they and their siblings are gradually getting used to life in the UK.