Interviews

London through the lens: Manal’s story

“As an urban ethnographer and photographer my camera is the lens through which I see the city. The camera helps me pause and reflect. In a context of growing ultra-nationalism and populism in which racism, fear and othering are not only toxic and divisive but also dangerous, my commitment is to show that people do get on together, people can share the same place and have shared experiences, despite the apparent differences.” This is how Manal, a Palestinian photographer who moved from Jerusalem to London more than ten years ago,…

“As an urban ethnographer and photographer my camera is the lens through which I see the city. The camera helps me pause and reflect. In a context of growing ultra-nationalism…

A first-rate welcome: Areej’s story

When refugees or asylum seekers live together with Brits, the experience can change the lives of both for the better. Areej knows this first hand. She’s a Sudanese refugee who came to the UK in 2015 and, after obtaining refugee status, was hosted by a young couple. It wasn’t long before they became friends and then official flatmates as the couple introduced her to their landlord and Areej rented a room in their home. She’s still there and is very happy with the situation. “These people helped me a lot,”…

When refugees or asylum seekers live together with Brits, the experience can change the lives of both for the better. Areej knows this first hand. She’s a Sudanese refugee who…

‘1,000 doors are closed, but then there’s no. 1001’

So much energy and enthusiasm bubbles out of Tanzila Zaman that you are not surprised to learn that one of her ambitions is to inspire more than 250 million immigrants around the world “who have made huge contributions towards their native countries and host countries”. Her route to achieving that ambition is through a book published this year, Mind Your Mother Tongue: “It’s crucial to be proud of one’s own native language and culture.” Tanzila’s native language is Bangla, or Bengali, the most widely spoken language in her home country, Bangladesh.…

So much energy and enthusiasm bubbles out of Tanzila Zaman that you are not surprised to learn that one of her ambitions is to inspire more than 250 million immigrants…

Triumph in adversity: Kate’s story

Triumph in the midst of adversity – that was a key sentence in the biography of Kate Iroegbu, a woman who faced many difficulties since leaving Nigeria in 2006. Now it’s also the title of her new book and the name of her company, which offers advice and coaching to people facing adversity. “I share my story and the strategy I used to overcome difficulties in the book,” says Kate. “It’s a self-development book, where I redefine adversity as an occasion for new opportunities. People must learn that in any…

Triumph in the midst of adversity – that was a key sentence in the biography of Kate Iroegbu, a woman who faced many difficulties since leaving Nigeria in 2006. Now…

Helping London’s youth: Jamad's story

Jamad Abdi is a very active and dynamic woman, passionate about helping young people and families to improve their lives. She moved to London 25 years ago, when she was very young, escaping from the war in Somalia. Despite initial difficulties, she managed not only to rebuild her life in the UK but also to help many other people in the UK and in Somalia. “I arrived alone, after a very long trip, with no English and no knowledge of this country,” says Jamad. “It was hard! I immediately enrolled…

Jamad Abdi is a very active and dynamic woman, passionate about helping young people and families to improve their lives. She moved to London 25 years ago, when she was…

Building a life in an unknown land

When Mohamad Alo and his family arrived in Birmingham after escaping from Syria in 2011, they knew no one and spoke no English at all. Six years on and Mohamad will soon become a fully qualified lawyer. He is probably the first Syrian refugee to achieve this goal in Birmingham, and likely one of very few in the country. Migration and asylum are one of his specialist areas. “We left our country because of the war conflict and starting our life here was very hard,” Mohamad says. “I had to…

When Mohamad Alo and his family arrived in Birmingham after escaping from Syria in 2011, they knew no one and spoke no English at all. Six years on and Mohamad…

'Dream beyond your situation': Irina's story

Irina Bormotova's advice to refugees and asylum seekers is, “Do not limit yourself”. One of her clients, a qualified accountant, reported being told by the Job Centre that he must do cleaning jobs because his English isn't good. “I say ‘So what? We are going to register you on an English and accounting course. Dream beyond your situation. Don’t accept something if you think you deserve better.'” Irina also came to Britain with poor English and without a specific career plan. John, her husband, had applied to study in London…

Irina Bormotova's advice to refugees and asylum seekers is, “Do not limit yourself”. One of her clients, a qualified accountant, reported being told by the Job Centre that he must…

Rafael's story: A high profile migrant

Rafael dos Santos cuts a striking figure with his sharp haircut and colourful attire. And it’s not long before you realise that his vibrant appearance is matched by a warm and spirited personality. Rafael, who arrived in the UK from Brazil 17 years ago, has recently launched a new business – the High Profile Club – and is loving his work. “The idea came during my MBA,” Rafael said. “I realised how much I love working with media and, together with a Colombian entrepreneur, I founded an MPR (Market Public Relations) agency,…

Rafael dos Santos cuts a striking figure with his sharp haircut and colourful attire. And it’s not long before you realise that his vibrant appearance is matched by a warm…

Joyce means business

Migration is a necessity not a luxury, says Joyce Ong, a Singaporean-born businesswoman who has lived and worked in London for 13 years. “For a city like London to thrive,” she explains, “you need sensible migration policies to bring the best and brightest to the country - but at the same time recognising that UK has a long record in helping migrants and refugees from certain parts of the world to have better life in this country. “The reason UK does that is because it is a basic right for every…

Migration is a necessity not a luxury, says Joyce Ong, a Singaporean-born businesswoman who has lived and worked in London for 13 years. “For a city like London to thrive,” she…

An open letter to the NHS from a doctor facing deportation

An Open Letter to the leaders of the NHS, on its 70th Anniversary I arrived in the United Kingdom on the 13th of September 2007 on a grey autumnal day, with hopes and aspirations in my heart. By some stroke of luck, I had been accepted on to the Undergraduate Medicine Degree program by a selection panel from Manchester Medical School after an interview in Singapore. I took up the offer as soon as it was made, seizing the chance to chase my dreams of becoming a doctor, after 2…

An Open Letter to the leaders of the NHS, on its 70th Anniversary I arrived in the United Kingdom on the 13th of September 2007 on a grey autumnal day,…

Interviews

Interviews

London through the lens: Manal’s story

“As an urban ethnographer and photographer my camera is the lens through which I see the city. The camera helps me pause and reflect. In a context of growing ultra-nationalism…

A first-rate welcome: Areej’s story

When refugees or asylum seekers live together with Brits, the experience can change the lives of both for the better. Areej knows this first hand. She’s a Sudanese refugee who…

‘1,000 doors are closed, but then there’s no. 1001’

So much energy and enthusiasm bubbles out of Tanzila Zaman that you are not surprised to learn that one of her ambitions is to inspire more than 250 million immigrants…

Triumph in adversity: Kate’s story

Triumph in the midst of adversity – that was a key sentence in the biography of Kate Iroegbu, a woman who faced many difficulties since leaving Nigeria in 2006. Now…

Helping London’s youth: Jamad's story

Jamad Abdi is a very active and dynamic woman, passionate about helping young people and families to improve their lives. She moved to London 25 years ago, when she was…

Building a life in an unknown land

When Mohamad Alo and his family arrived in Birmingham after escaping from Syria in 2011, they knew no one and spoke no English at all. Six years on and Mohamad…

'Dream beyond your situation': Irina's story

Irina Bormotova's advice to refugees and asylum seekers is, “Do not limit yourself”. One of her clients, a qualified accountant, reported being told by the Job Centre that he must…

Rafael's story: A high profile migrant

Rafael dos Santos cuts a striking figure with his sharp haircut and colourful attire. And it’s not long before you realise that his vibrant appearance is matched by a warm…

Joyce means business

Migration is a necessity not a luxury, says Joyce Ong, a Singaporean-born businesswoman who has lived and worked in London for 13 years. “For a city like London to thrive,” she…

An open letter to the NHS from a doctor facing deportation

An Open Letter to the leaders of the NHS, on its 70th Anniversary I arrived in the United Kingdom on the 13th of September 2007 on a grey autumnal day,…

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