Showing posts with label workshops. Show all posts
We look to the positive for each other
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Women 4 Women meets monthly at JRS UK as a peer support for women who have been made destitute by the UK asylum process. Facilitator and participants share why it matters.
All the ladies who come have no way to get money so we have to help them for transport and also for food, so they can eat first. Sometimes they are hungry when they come, so a fruit or biscuits helps them.
“For me, it has improved my life, otherwise, there is nothing for me to do in the day, you take it away, you take away my life. The others, they need it too. The staff are very friendly, we look to the positive for each other. I appreciate it very well.”
For the women's peer support group, it is a very clear piece of time for them, doing exercises, learning how to do massage or some mediation, it is time out for them. It is about their wellbeing, to feel, they can focus on themselves, such when we do creative things. They do drawing or colouring, expressing themselves in some way, they have gone back to a time in their lives that they can't have now, when they can just be.
We started off with 4 and those who have moved on have their papers, but it allows others new to come in as others move on. There is now a stability (in the midst of very chaotic lives). This year we started with a couple of Eritrean women who have now brought their friends. There is a sense of belonging and connectedness, it is not just a piece of fruit or the bus fare that they benefit from.
It depends on the person, but it can give a certain confidence. Some come uncertain and withdrawn, but now are more expressive and relaxed around people. It helps them more to be themselves also. Their confidence has been shattered with what they have been through.
“As asylum seekers we have lost our competence. I would like to improve, to do some training, share skills in cooking, baking, sewing, drawing... all creative things where we can have the satisfaction that we have made something from start to finish. To have some skills where in future I will be able to learn to stand again on my own two feet.”
A couple of participants now help lead. One has come out of herself and has more confidence and tremendously helpful. They help with preparation and good to see women who have had the same experiences can now lead.
Make a donation to help pay the bus passes of the women who attend: www.justgiving.com/jesuitrefugeeservice
A Poem - Cold and Rain
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| A photo by Elvis Payne from Foter.com |
Cold and Rain
by Muler
Cold and rain
is my patience
because it remind me
my past experiences.
Cold and rain
Is my experiences
For many reasons.
Cold and rain
Is my frustration
Because he is madness.
Cold and rain
He give me bad welcome
when I wake up on the morning.
Cold and rain
he is the one reminded me
my friends on my time
been sleeping on the street.
Cold and rain
he is my best friend
because he always is with me.
Cold and rain
when I think of you
I always remember
London. When I think of you
I think of London.
Cold and rain
You give hope when you show
You for light
Like the light on the fridge.
To me it is not be my part.
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JRS Europewide!
Our volunteer Liliane
visited Romania from 13th to 15th Oct to take part in a
JRS meeting. She kindly answered for an interview after the trip.
Q: Tell me about the event in Romania. What was the
occasion?
Liliane: It was JRS Europe Annual General Meeting. The topic
was Accompaniment this year. In the workshop, JRS staff and volunteers from all
around Europe participated. From our JRS UK, Jonathan, Kate, Sr Margaret and I
participated.
Q: What did do you and learn?
L: During the three days, we looked around a hostel for
asylum seekers run by the city council in Bucharest, attended workshops, and
visited JRS Romania main office, ‘My place’ as they call it. And we had a
chance to see the sights and to have meals out to enjoy each other’s company.
We also had a Mass together on the last day of our visit.
In one of the workshop sessions, we were divided into small
groups and discussed. Afterwards we had presentations. In the first workshop,
the questions were what the difficulties we face in our working places were,
why they were difficult, and how we solved the issues.
We also listened to the differentprocesses of welcoming
refugees in various countries and we talked about how to accompany others. I
learned, in order to accompany them, we need to be passionate and listening to
them attentively.
I could see that different countries have different
situations. I met one refugee who was complaining about the lengthy process he
had to undergo, but I told him that in some other places, it could be worse.
I also saw that JRS Romania was doing many good works.For
example, they run language courses, help the refugees to obtain citizenship and
accommodation, and give legal advice. It is possible because they have many
staff members.
Q: How did you feel about this trip and what did you like
most?
L: I was very excited about this trip because it was the
first of such a kind of trip in ten years. It was great to meet people from
different backgrounds and to share our works with each other. I learned a lot.
And the place we stayed was also very nice.
Q: Finally, anything you would like to say?
L: Well, I really enjoyed the trip and am grateful to JRS
for giving me this opportunity. I am also proud of our JRS UK for what we do.
Thank you very much.
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Tag :
accompany,
advocate,
asylum seekers,
befriending,
crossing bridges,
Europe,
JRS,
refugee,
sharing,
travel,
volunteers,
welcome,
workshops,
