Every Human Has Rights - Help Refugee Action Build New Lives

Hi, my name’s Kerenza. Thank you for choosing to read this blog, I am supporting a pressure group called Refugee Action (http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/) that helps refugees and asylum seekers fleeing to the UK from their home countries. I think that is unfair that these people have being violated of some of their basic human rights, and should be granted protection here in the UK.

At the beginning of 2012, there were 149,765 Refugees in the UK. These refugees and asylum seekers only earn £36.44 a week and are not allowed to work. They are supplied with a council house, but they do not have a choice of house or location.

So, why should you care about all of this? These refugees/asylum seekers have nothing to do with you. Well, what if you had to escape your home country, probably smuggled, to another country, like the UK, and live on £36 a week, which has to cover food, water, clothes, hygiene, any necessary phone calls, etc.

Here is Nina’s story:
Nina is 36 years old and she had to flee her home in Iran after converting to Christianity from Islam. In Iran, conversion was considered a serious crime and often resulted in the death penalty. Nina had been secretly attending Christian church meetings and went into hiding. Her family had to get an agent to smuggle her out of the country.

When she finally got to the UK, in Liverpool, the Home Office refused her claim for an asylum, not believing her story. She had to live on £36.44 pounds a week, as mentioned earlier.

After going through court, Nina was recognised as a refugee in the UK. She became street homeless. She went to Refugee Action in Manchester, ill and exhausted. They gave her a warm drink, access to a warm shower, and a room in a youth hostel. They sorted out her benefits and helped her get her life back on track.
Now, she has got a place on a fashion design course at a college so that she can hopefully get a job in the future. She also attends church every Sunday; she is free to practise her religion and does not have to hide because her faith.

Thank you again for choosing to read my blog, please leave a comment with your thoughts on this issue. It would be great if you could include your answers to these questions:

1. Had you heard of Refugee Action before reading this blog?
2. Do you now feel more informed about Refugee Action; who they are and what they do?
3. Would you consider donating to Refugee Action/supporting them?
4. Following them on social networks (when old enough) such as Twitter, YouTube, Face Book?
5. Would you consider joining in a fundraising event?  i.e. World Food Night (see website for more details http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/)

If you do post a comment in response, please state your nearby town and country (if not in the UK), that would be great!

Thank you so much for spending the time to read my blog!!
Kerenza