| The cost of freedom |
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Bini survived his perilous journey across the Sahara to Libya and then on to the UK. Here he claimed asylum and was granted refugee status due to his fear of persecution for his faith in Jesus. He settled in Middlesbrough, supported his local church at Jubilee, found work in a local factory and was able to send money home to his family. So his sudden death from heart failure, aged 24 was a huge shock to all who knew and loved him. Bini’s life, although short, inspired many, and his death drew our church and local community, together. Many donations were made both to pay for Bini’s body to be returned home and to support his family. In 2003 Jubilee Church Teesside, the church in which Bini worshipped, set up a charity called Open Door (North East) to serve the needs of refugees and asylum seekers. It relies upon the generous donations from individuals and other charities along with the commitment of volunteers. Open Door on Teesside houses 16 people from different nations in 4 houses. The charity also runs a drop-in on a Monday where the destitute can receive food, advice and friendship.  Loneliness, financial hardship, fear and loss of family contacts can make life very difficult for a refugee or asylum seeker. The charity plans regular fun events like family walks in the countryside and trips to the seaside. Sharing food and music from different cultures, dancing and craft activities, games or sports events have also been popular events. Currently the charity is supporting ESOL classes where basic literacy skills are taught. Raising awareness of the issues in school assembly presentations has encouraged many to give generously at Harvest festival times. Supporters have raised money holding parties, running, selling cakes and someone even shaved his head raising £1000! In the UK Bini received love, legal help, support to secure housing, opportunities to meet others socially and importantly he found a place he felt safe and could make an active contribution. It is for people like Bini the charity continues to look for new ways to care for people. To find out more about Open Door contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Refugees and asylum seekers are so often given a negative press. Did you know? • A refugee is someone with a fear of persecution because of race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership of a social group. Refugee status is given when a person’s claim for asylum is accepted. • An economic migrant is someone who enters a country to look for work.  • An illegal immigrant is someone who does not have a right to claim refugee status or a legal reason to be in the UK. • A person seeking refugee status is called an asylum seeker. Unlike refugees they are not allowed to work, are given a room in a low cost share house and a basic sum of money to live on. • A failed asylum seeker is someone who has been unsuccessful in gaining Refugee status and has no right to housing, cash support or right to work. • Many refugees and asylum seekers have experienced and witnessed traumatic events but still would prefer to return home if they could. By Gill Sweeney |
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