Helping Refugees Start A New Life

A refugee’s life is one full of hardships, pain and suffering. No one would wish such a fate upon anyone yet the sad reality is that today millions of people are living as refugees today after becoming victims of political instability or worse, war. 

There is one thing most people don’t seem to realise when it comes to refugees. Sure, they have been displaced from their home, and in some cases, their homeland; no doubt they have suffered a lot and lost even more. However, once they become refugees, we assume that all is good; that they now have a place to stay; they will be provided food to eat and warm clothes to wear. No one accepts this fate, at least not entirety. They all desire to get back on their feet and, if possible, return home.

Understanding this need among refugees, Muslim Aid got into action.

Northern Refugee Centre

The Northern Refugee Centre was designed to cater to the needs of the refugees displaced from different parts of the world. Very few people manage to leave it all behind and come to a place like the United Kingdom, where opportunities are abundant compared to other countries. However, the biggest challenge for such refugees is adjusting to their new life, in a new place, among new people, in a completely new environment. They suffer from culture shock in addition to the burdens they already carry.

Institutions like the Northern Refugee Centre has helped to support and empower refugees that have fled their homes in search of hope in the UK. With projects supported by Muslim Aid, they have been able to generate new skills or strengthen existing ones so that they can apply them and make a respectable living rather than becoming dependant on the rations of a refugee camp. The idea is to help people adjust to their new life in a new country with relative ease and to provide support and assistance along the way.

Below is a quick synopsis of some of our programs.

• Drop-in sessions offering free advice on living in the UK including understanding on the law.
• English language development classes to be able to understand and converse in English properly.
• Particular focus on female refugees offering them assistance in rebuilding their lives.

Ever since this program was implemented, many lives have been changed. Over 335 vulnerable Muslim Women benefitted from it in 2012 alone. That number continues to rise every year. The centre aims to tackle the challenges faced by refugee women and help them on their path to rebuilding their lives.

The Conversation Club

The Conversation Club is another project aimed at the betterment of refugees living in the United Kingdom. This project brings refugee women and new migrants together with English speakers. It was a unique idea and many refugees cite this opportunity as a blessing for them and call the club a great place for the mind and soul. The Conversation Clubs allows refugees, asylum seekers and other new migrants to come together with English-speaking volunteers to practice conversational English, meet new people and take part in various activities. These clubs are free, and do not need to be pre-booked. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Muslim Aid will continue to assist refugees with your invaluable support not just in the United Kingdom but also in isolated parts of the world. Make a donation so that you can be the reason these people can get back on their feet.