Tuesday of the 5th week of Lent, 20th March

“Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear towards me and answer me quickly when I call.”

Psalm 101

As we journey through Lent, we introduce you to some of the refugees JRS accompanies. As you read their story, where do you hear the Lord asking you to turn and hear their call?

Ufuoma’s Story

Ufuoma was frustrated that her unresolved immigration status had forced her to become reliant on others. She was left without support and with little control over her own situation. However, during this difficult time, she managed to find some hope at the JRS UK Day Centre: “I remember when I came to the JRS Day Centre I saw it as a home. It is very different to any other place I visited … The Godly atmosphere, the warmly welcome that your staff give is amazing.”

At the JRS Day Centre, it is important to provide activities that engage our refugee friends, especially when it can feel like time is being wasted. By becoming involved with additional activities, our refugee friends are encouraged to stay positive and build resilience. “JRS don’t only give food or clothing but they meet people’s emotional and psychological needs.”

During one Thursday Day Centre, Ufuoma was talking with one of the JRS team when they came across their shared love for singing. We had recently started to organise a choir for our refugee friends and Ufuoma was eager to join. “She asked me if I would like to sing. I said of course I would like to sing but I haven’t sung for a very long time … I joined in with the choir and in a few days I was able to sing with the choir. It lighted up my life, emotionally and psychologically.”

“It gives you hope and a smile. I have been smiling since I came to this place.”

Join us tomorrow as we rejoin Ufuoma on her journey

#Do1Thing

Ufuoma rediscovered her joy for singing when she had the opportunity to join the JRS choir. By becoming involved in the activities that run alongside our Day Centre, Ufuoma was able to find a reason to smile again. These activites help our refugee friends to build resilience at moments when it can be hard to stay positive.

Today we invite you to consider donating to the work of JRS UK. Your donation will allow us to contiue providing these activities, such as choir, drama and photography workshops, that help improve the general welfare of our refugee friends.

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JRS UK are grateful to Ufuoma for sharing her story with us. Please do not reproduce without permission.

Image credit: JRS UK volunteer speaking with a refugee friend (JRS UK)

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