Showing posts with label refugees. Show all posts
CSAN Lent Campaign: Changes Lives
CSAN, or Caritas Social Action Network, in which we are taking part, has launched the Lent Campaign: Changes Lives! Here are some of our JRS volunteers voices on how JRS helps change lives of those marginalised ...
Thank you, all! If you are interested, here is the link to CSAN.
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| By encouraging refugee women to manage their stress and to focus on their health and wellbeing; by praying together |
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| By enabling people to develop their own voice |
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| By providing companionship and emotional support |
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| Through sharing, listening and praying with and for people who have been detained, in a non-judgemental way |
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| By teaching us how we can help make a difference |
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| By treating people with dignity; encouraging people to participate; and by giving people a voice |
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| Accompaniment; journeying with; listening; building relationships; learning mutually |
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| By finding creative opportunities for our refugee friends to have peace, dignity and to have some fun |
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| By respecting each person as they are, without any discrimination! |
Thank you, all! If you are interested, here is the link to CSAN.
Subscribe to JRS-UK Community Blog by Email
Tag :
accompany,
advocate,
asylum seekers,
befriending,
day centre,
expression,
human beings,
JRS,
refugees,
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volunteers,
A Prayer for Our Mothers and Children on Mothering Sunday
A prayer from 'Alexandra' who comes to JRS each week and is currently studying at college. She is part of our women's group and her prayer helps us reflect on the occasion of Mothering Sunday, this weekend 30th March. Many of the women who come to JRS have children back home.
Prayer for Africa
Prayer for those children who don't have food and water.
Prayer for women who manage always to look for something for their children so they can eat every day
Prayer for all women give them wisdom
Prayer for all women in world to be educated because if women are educated all nations will be educated.
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Volunteering at JRS, the Day-Centre
Mike Guilfoyle, talks about his experience as a JRS volunteer.
Following my departure from having completed a twenty year ' stretch ' working as a front -line Probation Officer in London in 2010. I started to look around for new and energising pathways into working outside the statutory sector and in particular fulfilling a long standing interest in working as a Volunteer. After experiencing some unexpected setbacks, I was informed by one well known charity having made what I took to be a convincing presentation, that I was unsuitable as I appeared to have not quite stepped outside the probation officer persona! Undeterred, I directed my attentions to an altogether different area of volunteering, that I had peripherally engaged with albeit in the context of casework supervision with ' foreign national' prisoners when working as a probation officer.
Having already written articles for the Catholic Social Justice Quarterly, Justice Magazine, on how my catholic faith had informed my approach to working with those who came into contact with the criminal justice system, it seemed fitting that having contacted the Mount Street Jesuit Centre and had the estimable pleasure of an informal interview with Andrea Kelly that I was directed (I have now nearly completed my novitiate!) towards the Jesuit Refugee Service. At the time, JRS was relocating from its former base in North London to Wapping and as such I awaited with keen anticipation the much delayed meeting (due to the aforementioned migration across London) with JRS Assistant Director Jonathan Parr. The convivial and engaging process of volunteer recruitment was then wonderfully complemented by the presence of a warm, welcoming and eclectic staff group.
Although I had expressed a preference for working as a volunteer visiting those caught up in the Orwellian world of detention centres, childcare considerations meant that this option has remained , at least for the present, impracticable. Since then I have willingly given up a chunk of my Thursdays to work in the vibrant and challenging weekly Day-Centre that is at the heart of the Hurtado Centre and this has offered a richly uplifting experience which has meant so much to me, anchored as it is in the foundational principles of catholic social thought, respecting the dignity of the human person, who is possessed of a god -given worth captured so well in Matthew 25: ' If you welcome the stranger, you welcome me'
I was mildly amused to note that the Jesuits also have what they define as House Probation , that is novices perform most of their basic but essential tasks , alongside their heroically lengthy but to the secular outsider, formidable period of formation. I can honestly state that the time I have so far spent at JRS has been unremittingly rewarding and has offered me a privileged opportunity to meet with, work alongside and support the refugees, many of whom offer their greetings and friendship, when they arrive at the Day-Centre and prior to leaving. I now feel a warm attachment and measured respect for those friends whose stories of displacement and rejection, have resulted in unmerited penury reliant on the charitable support of JRS and other voluntary bodies. In making oneself available often at times of great individual distress, by opening up an emotional space and presence and active compassionate listening. I have always tried at moments when my patience or attention is lacking, to recall the enduring words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, ' If I see a person or persons suffer and the distance between us does not shrink, then my place, is not good, not enviable'.
I was mildly amused to note that the Jesuits also have what they define as House Probation , that is novices perform most of their basic but essential tasks , alongside their heroically lengthy but to the secular outsider, formidable period of formation. I can honestly state that the time I have so far spent at JRS has been unremittingly rewarding and has offered me a privileged opportunity to meet with, work alongside and support the refugees, many of whom offer their greetings and friendship, when they arrive at the Day-Centre and prior to leaving. I now feel a warm attachment and measured respect for those friends whose stories of displacement and rejection, have resulted in unmerited penury reliant on the charitable support of JRS and other voluntary bodies. In making oneself available often at times of great individual distress, by opening up an emotional space and presence and active compassionate listening. I have always tried at moments when my patience or attention is lacking, to recall the enduring words of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, ' If I see a person or persons suffer and the distance between us does not shrink, then my place, is not good, not enviable'.
Working at the JRS has helped me to see in the vulnerable stranger a mirror of myself, and a reflection of Christ that points towards an invitation to human solidarity. I have met some truly wonderful colleagues, some of whom have since moved onto other challenges and career openings. The ready wit, cheerful banter and ' salty' humour in evidence when volunteers come together has been a source of joy and delight to me, the ' passagiato' practised with consummate ease by one of the volunteers now studying for a higher degree! will no doubt be recognised by 'front of house' volunteers! An invitation to accord greater attention and support to those marginalised by political strife and persecution and broken by personal tragedy was recently reiterated in the Apostolic letter in anticipation of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees from Pope Francis which concludes with these resonant words: 'Dear migrants and refugees! Never lose the hope that you too are facing a more secure future, that on your journey you will encounter an outstretched hand, and that you can experience fraternal solidarity and the warmth of friendship! To all of you, and to those who have devoted their lives and their efforts to helping you, I give the assurance of my prayers and I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing.'
Victoria, volunteer at JRS-UK, writes about our Mikono crafts for Christmas
Our delivery of handmade crafts from Kenya arrived in a big box just 2 weeks ago!
Inside, there were some handmade crucifixes, beaded spiral bracelets, some wooden holy family carvings, animal design key rings…
They come from the Mikono craft gift shop in Nairobi. They are made by refugees who have come to Kenya. The money raised helps support the crafts people and can be the only source of income to feed their family.
For example, Rwandese refugees make the sisal baskets with lid that comes in a set of 5 packed inside the big set. This is a traditional basket back in Rwanda. It is made from natural sisal which is originally white in colour. To get variety in colours, the sisal can be dyed in differently depending on the artist, clients or popular colours on the market. The baskets are crafted in a traditional weaving style from the centre going out in a spiral manner. To hold the sisal together, a needle and a thread are used. The different coloured sisal are added in the course of the weaving at specific points to form a pattern or a shape as the product gets a complete face. The artist stretches the main sisal to form a narrow opening or wide basket cover. The lid is made in the same manner with the size of the basket opening in mind.
We approach parishes within the London area to have a craft stand on Sundays leading up to Christmas or during Lent. A lot of the smaller items are between £2 to £5 and some of the larger items are £15 to £20, so a good range of prices. The benefits of contributing towards refugees’ livelihood actually provides them within an income and for us there are also some excellent stocking fillers! My favourite item is double tie between the colourful beaded key rings and the angel banana leaf tree decorations.
For more information visit our website and see our mini-catalogue to see what’s available and how to order.
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The needs of urban refugees
Sister Bernadette has been working 4 years with JRS. Before that, she spent 10 years with Asylum Welcome in Oxford, co-ordinating English classes and the advice team. She shares her reflections on the different contexts for urban refugees here in the UK and in Portugal.
The purpose of the meeting this year’s JRS Europe meeting was the theme “The Refugee in the Urban Context”. We looked at how JRS can respond to the needs of urban refugees. The meeting offered a comparative approach on how different countries deal with the same issues, all with the ultimate same aim.
In contrast with JRS UK, JRS Portugal works mainly with migrants and just 5% of refugees, plus they run a night shelter for 17 people. Also, in Portugal, migrants are supported by governance subsidies and they are allowed to work. Migrants there normally do an apprenticeship during which they are not paid, but if they do well they can get a paid job in future. For example, we had the chance to meet a young man, who in his own country had been a professional footballer and now taught skills to children. We also went to visit an elderly people’s centre where some migrants were working as well. These examples show that the context in Portugal is different to here in the UK.
Generally speaking, it was very interesting meeting people from different European countries like Albania, Romania, Macedonia or Ukraine. I found the wide representation of JRS across Europe very helpful. Some of the participants were from the main office; some were volunteers and some members of staff. There were a lot of young people, especially volunteers. I found it surprising to be invited as a volunteer as I thought the meeting would be just for staff! This meeting gave me a wider view of what JRS is and how it works in Europe. To me it was like looking at the wider church family which I found it quite inspiring.
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Leave to Remain: “I didn’t know it was going to be this difficult”
Leave to Remain tells the story of Omar, Abdul and Zizidi, all young people growing up in London, having applied for asylum in the UK. Each one has left their own country for security and finds themselves on a rollercoaster of new tribulations, dilemmas and emotions. Together with their teacher, Nigel, they try to navigate their way through the asylum system, negotiating with the authorities for their well-being and safe future. As Bruce Goodison says* “It is nothing short of miraculous when these children survive and remain sane. But far from being victims of an uncaring system, having battled to be here, they don’t give up and also feel compelled to support the country that becomes their home.”(* quoted in The Independent newspaper film review).
It made me smile when the audience laughed as one of the young asylum seekers pronounced Peckham (a neighbourhood in south-east London where I used to live), as more dangerous than the province in Afghanistan they had fled from. The young refugee’s choice of T-shirt “I © Kabul” showed the irony that he had not come here to London as a tourist. And I was moved as I reflected that the features of life in the capital in the film that I enjoy, like fireworks at Diwali or not being afraid of traffic wardens, take a long time getting used to if you are frightened of gunshots or people in uniform who might oppress you.
But the best part was a surprise! Just as I was packing my notebook and bag up the lights went on in the cinema and onto the stage strolled half of the cast, the Director and Producers. There was a full house, so all the spectators were treated to an interview with Bruce Goodison and insights from the three main actors who played Omar, Abdul and Zizidi. Masieh Zarrien, who played Abdul, had himself come to the UK from Afghanistan as a child. Masieh decribed the experience of acting for the first time on the film as an “amazing experience in general… being a professional environment taught me a lot” and shared his pride at seeing himself on the big screen.
Seeing the film and hearing Masieh speak was touching for me as one of my friends, herself a refugee originally from Afghanistan, now fosters young Afghani refugee boys in her home, helping them heal and adapt to their new circumstances. I now have a better insight into some of the challenges they face together, dealing with the difficulties of an uncertain future, and the importance of being part of a wider family here in the UK.
The film raises lots of interesting questions, some of which are addressed by the Refugee Council’s Q&A sheet specifically prepared for Leave to Remain: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/policy_research/policy_work/briefings/leave_to_remain_q_a
You can also read a more in-depth film review on: Thinking Faith - the online journal of the Jesuits in Britain
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Subscribe to JRS-UK Community Blog by Email
Tag :
Afghanistan,
asylum seekers,
BFI,
Britain,
Film,
Leave to remain,
london,
refuge,
refugees,
young people,
At JRS-UK, you are welcome
Welcome signs made by
refugees from the Day Centre,
to welcome one another and guests to our Summer
Party.
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One of our bags is missing...
Volunteers and staff took part in the National Justice and
Peace Network Annual Conference 'Breaking Open The Word' in Derbyshire. It was
quite a journey...
We were
invited to run a workshop from JRS and decided to offer one on Gospel Based
Attitudes to Welcoming Refugees. A lot of
advance planning was needed, which helped structure our contributions. The workshop was led by Liliane and Br Joe,
two of our volunteers at the JRS day centre, who were able to share their
personal experience of accompanying refugees and making an asylum application
in the UK.
We were
invited to run a workshop from JRS and decided to offer one on Gospel Based
Attitudes to Welcoming Refugees. A lot of
advance planning was needed, which helped structure our contributions. The workshop was led by Liliane and Br Joe,
two of our volunteers at the JRS day centre, who were able to share their
personal experience of accompanying refugees and making an asylum application
in the UK.
Liliane
was so nervous in advance that she was shaking, but she was happy while
facilitating the workshop. None of the
participants would have known she was so nervous in advance! Most of the
participants were already interested in the topic and were in fact already
accompanying refugees themselves.
"It was very encouraging to see their involvement. They wanted affirmation and hope from the workshop",
says Liliane, who was encouraged herself by their response to her story.
The
workshop was able to share hope, while pointing out how perilous the asylum
process can be for people going through it, and participants left renewed in
their will to act positively; some wanting to engage local parishes in
awareness raising, or wanting to volunteer in local projects.
The
workshop took place in a wider context of the conference which invited those
present to reconsider, through worship and through the input of Megan McKenna,
to hear the Gospel afresh and to live it out every day.
The
conference was a fantastic experience, though we ended on a bittersweet note of
losing the bag full of crafts made by refugees in Kenya at Derby station. We hope whoever has them now enjoys them
fully! Unfortunately the bag lost is the
one we normally use at the day centre to collect sandwiches donated by Pret a
Manger... Oops!
Tag :
crafts,
Gospel,
Justice and Peace Network,
lost bag,
refugees,
volunteers,
welcoming,
workshops,
