As we journey through Lent we will introduce you to some of the refugees that JRS accompanies. Christ identifies himself with the one who is excluded. Where do you see his face?
Koffi’s Storry
This week we will introduce you to Koffi, one of our refugee friends who is currently part of our At Home hosting scheme.
Koffi arrived in the UK seeking safety and welcome after fleeing conflict in Western Africa. However, the asylum process that greeted him is purposefully biased towards his refusal, he explains “the system just keeps you running. They sometimes ask you for proof when they know you can’t have this proof; it is impossible. It’s like a game.”
During their initial asylum claim, refugees are provided with basic government support including housing. Koffi was based in Southall but conditions were cramped in a room he had to share, “you are running to the safer place and you realise the safer place is worse than behind. It’s like you are on the tail of the dragon and you run to the mouth now.”
#Do1Thing
Many of those who JRS UK accompany, like Koffi, have been seeking asylum in the UK for several years. The system for recognising who is and isn’t a refugee has many problems, as those inspecting the system have pointed out. Once refused, things get even worse as asylum seekers find themselves subject to a range of measures known as, ‘the hostile environment agenda’, which makes resolving their situation more complicated and can make it difficult to access vital services, particularly housing and healthcare.
Today we invite you to learn more about the realities for those seeking asylum in the UK and the challenges they face. Inform yourself and reflect on the difficulties that day to day life can pose for those who come to Britain seeking safety and sanctuary.
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