Showing posts with label bridges. Show all posts
Poem - In London
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| London Eye - by Christopher Chan |
Charles wrote a poem about this city London.
In London
by Charles
In a place where I thought that Big Ben is the best sight to see.
In a place where I thought that Buckingham Palace is the best castle to see.
In a place where I saw green because Wimbledon tournament is on grass and green.
In a place where I thought, women are powerful, because the ruler is a Queen.
In a place where women can choose regardless of their background, as dear Princess Diana did.
But London, with Hooliganism, you gave us the impression that you are not immaculate.
But London, you start your shy revolution with Protestantism.
But London, you gave us the impression that you are the best place to acquire education.
Although you, London are welcoming, life is hard in you.
Although you, London are very tolerant, racism still exists.
Although you, London are equal, competition is tough – London, you may have saved some lives but you did not save our soul.
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Tag :
asylum seekers,
bridges,
Britain,
community,
crossing bridges,
friends,
home,
human beings,
listen,
london,
poetry,
reflection,
welcome,
welcoming,
workshops,
writing,
How many people can you fit around one table?
Greetings in different languages!
Kate, a member of staff, shares one of her favourite things about JRS
How many people can you fit around one table? At JRS today we had 20 people sat around our lunch table. This is one of my favourite things about JRS – we eat together every weekday. Each day, whoever is at the office or community centre sits down together. And then we clear up, wash up and tidy up. It is an important time in our working day and there is usually laughter and news to catch up on.
Mostly we have simple food: bread, cheese, cold meats, houmous, salad and a piece of fruit each. Sometimes if it is someone’s birthday, we share cake. Other times if we have had an event the day before there is leftover pasta or a pudding to eat up. If we are few, we always set an extra place for a late comer or a guest arriving in time for an appointment or meeting. Some days, one of our refugee friends comes to have their only meal for the day. On other days, visitors are caught up in the hubbub of chatting together.
We share stories, we try to learn each others languages and talk very little about work. It is a special time to deepen our relationships, appreciate each others’ culture and feel like a community together. It helps us see people outside of their roles and learn different perspectives in an open and relaxed way. Today we were from 15 countries from across 4 continents: interns, refugee friends, Jesuits, volunteers, members of staff… each one welcome in their own right and appreciated for who they are.
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Tag :
befriending,
bound together,
bridges,
community,
food,
friends,
open doors,
wapping,
welcome,
welcoming,
Crossing Bridges Together
Fr Michael Pastor volunteered with JRS in the UK for six months moving on to undertake his Jesuit tertianship in Chile.
We begin accompanying from the experience of being accompanied. JRS helped me to cross the foreign language obstacle when I came to the UK. Moreover, my crossing this barrier has given me a better understanding of this experience for refugees. I took the place, several times, in the feelings that two young Moroccan guests had to feel in my own Bilbao community back in Spain.
We begin accompanying from the experience of being accompanied. JRS helped me to cross the foreign language obstacle when I came to the UK. Moreover, my crossing this barrier has given me a better understanding of this experience for refugees. I took the place, several times, in the feelings that two young Moroccan guests had to feel in my own Bilbao community back in Spain.
Then, I realised the importance of walking with someone, being present either at lunch or in the day centre, even more when visiting someone. Our presence, before doing anything, says something very important: "Here I am. We appreciate you, you are worth something".
When a refugee feels that he or she is helped and appreciated (accompanied) in our warm, friendly space at the day centre, he or she begins crossing a bridge to go into a new place. This is what JRS UK is doing in either visiting the detention centres or setting up peer support groups such as Women4Women and Men4Men. As well, this is the service they need: to share whatever they are living in their hard situation. All of us need this space to share our lives with someone who listens to us.
But the thing that has taught and touched me more is the hope and strength of human beings when we feel that we ourselves have value. At the third Men4Men meeting, I learnt that life has the strongest power if you are able to listen to and share. And of course, instead of listening to for a while in those meetings, if you offer to a refugee your home, you will feel even more this hope and strength. "At home" we accompany, serve and become advocates of them. It is worth it!!
