JRS-UK Community Blog

Photo by Mike Pedroncelli at Foter.com

Bianca Venkata is a volunteer member of the JRS UK detention-outreach team and visits detainees at an immigration removal centre in the UK.
If you would like to join as a volunteer, come and visit JRS UK Volunteering.

A personal reflection from a JRS volunteer, Sr Juliana, who offers her thoughts after being with JRS for a couple of months...

My journey at Jesuit Refugee Service, it all started during our CSJP's Congregation (Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace) experience here in London, as we explore where God is calling and leading us for future ministries in accordance with the signs of times and the needs of the world today. Right form that day something really touched and stayed with me, I felt something within, is had to name and to express what it is.

JRS as an international catholic non-governmental organization with a mission to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people; is very much in line with our Charism of Peace through Justice. The question is often asked, why on earth should one had anything to do with ex-offenders, law breakers. Others feel that these people should get what they deserve and go where they belong. This attitude deeply touched and challenged me when I hear these words towards refugees and asylum seekers. At the same time what a remarkable witness of people who are willing to risk their lives by trying to live against this way of thinking, the logic and standards of the world; by working with people on the margins, helping those that nobody wants to help in terms of political, socio-economic and national policies and structures. With individuals not given a fair and good hearing and unfairly treated.

As a CSJP invited to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, I questioned myself how do I live and apply the Charism of Peace through Justice where people are not respected, believed in or listened to and considered as individuals and persons?  Why do I choose to go to JRS? It was because as CSJP I am called to live and think differently from the logic and standards of the world, to live in a new way the concept of basic human rights – our common humanity that fosters mutuality equality. I was welcomed within the team at JRS, making it possible for me to fit in very well, and we really worked very well together.

The situations of all those that visit the centre are very complex, difficult and sad, but the team acting as a community where everyone is family really makes a huge difference for the friends receiving service. As Henri Nouwen said: "Hospitality is primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy". I was involved in the administration (updating files, reception and welcoming); Day Centre (variety) and the women's group. The main purpose of the work with the women is to see to their personal well-being - physical, emotional, moral and spiritual (activities like relaxation exercises, reflexology and contemplative prayer circle are offered to help them) All of this aims to create a place for them just "TO BE", a time of relaxation and companionship. For me, the group itself was a witness: there are no barriers, no best way, no better language, and no better expression! We relate to God as we are and in the same way we relate to one anther. There were times when I was challenged and really experienced my own poverty, because many times I didn't feel I was actually doing anything, I had just to sit with the participants, even if communication was difficult. The communication of acceptance, equality and that atmosphere of shared common humanity spoke more than anything indeed. I became aware that sometimes even without words my attitudes can be discriminating and marginalizing of others. My experience at JRS, what really stayed with me is that "If I can't change people's situation, but I will try to love them".

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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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By “Alexandra”

I did not know if I would be able to study this year as it was so expensive. I was so desperate to study this year, I did not believe I would be able to continue my course. Inside of me I was not sure, where could this money come from?

Last year I got a reduction in my college fees, as even if someone wanted to help me, the fees would still be a lot. So when I went to the college and showed them that there were people who would help me to study and explained to them my situation: as an asylum seeker, I am not working, I do not get benefits… so they gave me a 50% less, but this year they could not give me the discount.

I showed Louise at JRS how much they asked me to pay this year. But Louise said, why you are stressing too much? Don’t worry! I was stressed, but she made me not stressed… this time I felt it would not work, but she was very comfortable that we could do something. Let’s just try, she said, so we started to make applications. 

Last week when I came for help from Jonathan, I had to come early, I really wanted to study! So I put my alarm at 6am, as I did not want to be late to miss my chance to see him. He was so surprised that I was so early, even at 8.30am! That day I had finished a letter and had put it in an envelope, when the message came to Louise. Louise came out of her office and said “stop, stop!” we don’t need any money, the people we first wrote to had replied.

Myself, I was very surprised, that someone who did not know me, would pay for these college fees. It solved all my problems in one go! At the same time, I was very, very shocked. I am so grateful, because when someone who does not know me would pay, just like that, I was quite touched. I wanted to cry, but I was happy at the same time. I am very, very grateful. Louise had the faith that it would be possible. 

Going to college is very important for me, because in my situation, for me to continue to study means everything. It is very important, I am not isolated. If I am not doing anything, I will be thinking about my situation, about seeking asylum, it is not good for me. But at college, we are all the same, I am the same as other people, there is no barrier for me there… I am still going on with my life, nothing is lost.

This year, I will also be a team leader in my voluntary work, last year I was an ambassador there as well. I do other volunteering, mentoring, so many! Maybe when you are doing something positive, you don’t know where doing good things will lead you, I am not doing something for nothing.

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