17-year-old Khaled, one of our SEEN Ambassadors, considers himself a strong ally for refugees and asylum seekers and believes others should become allies, too. Born and raised in the UK with Lebanese heritage, he explains how refugees can be better supported to find a sense of belonging in the UK.
Unfair discrimination faced by refugees and asylum seekers
“I always consider myself a supporter of any person who might feel alienated in society. Often, even if refugees and asylum seekers do not experience blatant discrimination, they will face negative assumptions.
“There is lots of misunderstanding present, even within those who might not actively try to have bigotry towards refugees. So, addressing key issues such as unconscious bias is an important step to prevent ostracising those who might be most vulnerable.
"Often refugees are described as a burden, with a desire to take the UK’s resources. But the truth is, as an ally of refugees and asylum seekers, I understand that no one chooses to be a refugee because they want to, but because they have to. Many are homesick, grieving, and just want to get by and survive.”
As an ally of refugees and asylum seekers, I understand that no one chooses to be a refugee because they want to, but because they have to. Many are homesick, grieving, and just want to get by and survive.
Khaled
“One of the hardest issues for many refugees is constantly being bounced around to different shared homes, hostels, and hotels. Naturally, moving around constantly means it can take longer to be able to settle down. This is especially a problem for children, who need a fixed community, school, and friends to thrive. This could be a reason that makes it harder for many to integrate.”
What does it mean to integrate into a community?
“Integration is a word that can be questioned. If integration means abandonment of origin, then there could be consequences for trying to fit in without acknowledging your own story and your own history.
“When refugees are blamed for not integrating well enough, perhaps the issue revolves around the need for us to build a community that accepts, shares, and flourishes in diversity and different backgrounds. Yet, I still feel that some kind of shared foundation is needed to build a society.
“Instead of everyone from different kinds of upbringings blurring into one, maybe we should consider acknowledging key values for us to share. So instead of nudging refugees and asylum seekers to integrate their identities in the traditional sense, we should seek to integrate their values into ours.”
“If we listen to what everyone has to share, I’m sure that our communities will grow, even if slowly.”
Instead of everyone from different kinds of upbringings blurring into one, maybe we should consider acknowledging key values for us to share.
Khaled
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Children seeking asylum
Under international law, the UK has a duty to offer asylum to people who flee their own countries because of a well-founded fear of persecution.
Families seeking asylum have fled wars or famines in search of a better life - and they have often faced poor health, poverty and hunger on their way to the UK. Despite their parents' best efforts, the children often suffer most and can be incredibly vulnerable.
How we helped Rohman feel more at home in the UK
Rohman, an 18-year-old refugee from Afghanistan, came to the UK to live with his father and has been supported to start a new life here by Barnardo’s Leaving Care Lincolnshire.