Ghani’s story
Ghani, 20, arrived in the UK in 2018 when he was just 15. Originally from Afghanistan, he arrived as an unaccompanied child and had previously spent just over a year living in one of the camps for asylum seekers in France. Ghani is now supported by Wigan Council’s leaving care team.
Ghani says
I didn’t feel alone on the journey from Afghanistan as I was with some older people who helped me on the way.
I wanted to come to the UK to find my uncle, but I had to stay in France for 14 months first. The camp there was ok; they were very strict about when you could leave, but because I was very young, I was given a social worker and they helped me go to school.
I met some other people my age so even though it wasn’t easy, and I felt like I spent a long time waiting, I tried to take it one day at a time and pass the time by playing cricket with the friends I’d made. I tried not to think too much about the future.
I eventually flew to Manchester Airport, and I was taken to Manchester to live with a foster family there for around four or five months. I wasn’t allowed to go to school at first but there was a teacher who came to the home to teach me English.
English is a hard language to learn. I was very shy then and I was nervous to go to a shop and ask for something, so I would always go with a group of friends and listen to what they said and try to learn.
Eventually I was allowed to go to school. After a few months I moved to another foster family in Altrincham, but I was allowed to stay at the same school and travelled every day there and back.
School was nice most of the time. I was still learning English and sometimes I would worry that people would laugh at me if I admitted I didn’t understand what the teacher had said, so I would pretend I had understood it and then go home and use Google to translate what had been said.
The best part about school was that I was on the cricket team. I love all sports and especially cricket and I played for two years.
The foster carers I have had have helped me loads. When I look back, I didn’t know anything at all, they taught me everything about life and what to do.
Afghanistan is very different to the UK. People are not free and there are no laws to protect children. For example, it doesn’t matter if children go to school or not, so some do and some don’t, and nothing is checked to make sure they are ok.
I was in a very different situation there, I didn’t live in a city, I lived in the mountains, so it is very different here.
In Afghanistan most people do not like the Taliban. There is poverty and they are not good to people. An ordinary person has no power or control over their own life.
There are some things I miss. I miss my mum and my brother; he will be 17 now. I miss my friend and I miss the area, the mountains, and the community.
There are not many similarities between Afghanistan and the UK but I still go to the Mosque most days and especially on Fridays as I did there, and I can still celebrate Eid.
I’ve now been to college to study an electrician’s course and I am also working towards my GCSE’s so that I can pass the electrician’s course. The work isn’t hard but I’m not good at exams as I’m still working on my written English. I’ve just passed my driving test first time!
My hopes for the future are the same as most people’s, a nice house and job and car. My dream job would be to play cricket.
To anyone in the UK who meets someone from a different country, I would say, please be nice and kind. We should all be nice and respectful to each other anyway; it shouldn’t matter where we come from.
To anyone who has come from a different country and who is new to the UK, I would say, take opportunities, learn from others, and ask for what you need as most people will give you help and advice.
Something in front of you might sometimes look hard, but when you achieve it, you might find it was very easy.
We are always looking for foster carers to support young people like Ghani. If you’re interested, or if you know someone who would make a great foster carer, you can find out more on our fostering pages.
Esnath and Shupikai's stories
Leigh residents Esnath Sanangura and Shupikai Muchineuta originally came to the UK from Zimbabwe over 18 years ago. They share their stories.
Esnath’s story
Esnath is a talented dancer, choreographer, fashion designer, hairdresser, and make-up artist. She also regularly volunteers to help others and is described by those who know her as, ‘a real community leader, who brings people together’.
I was 23 when I first came to the UK and I was very excited. At that time, I didn’t miss anything from back home, not even my friends. I’d look at how everyone was dressed and think, ‘Wow’.
I’d make phone calls to family back home and say, 'I’m here!'. Making clothes has always been my passion. In high school I made an overlaying skirt, and it came out perfectly. I knew then I wanted to make clothes.
I had a good education in Zimbabwe. The teaching is different there. In England there’s lots of theory work and in Africa the training is very practical.
I didn’t come from a poor background, but I wanted to better myself and I imagined that I could do that here. I got a BA Honours Degree in fashion design (from the University of Central Lancashire) in Preston and went on to study hairdressing and make up too. I made and sold clothes to help pay for my education.
The people on my street in Leigh have always made me feel welcome. I have good friends and neighbours and I help others in the community whenever I can. Of course, there have been times when I have missed home and felt as though I didn’t have a shoulder to cry on.
British law makes it difficult for friends and family to visit, even for a short time. Visitors are often denied visas. It isn’t fair because our elderly parents might want to visit, but they don’t want to stay here permanently. The weather in England is too gloomy. They always want to get back home and see the sun again!
The pandemic has been a hard time for many refugees. So many people have lost loved ones but haven’t been able to go back home. It pains me a lot to see people sink into depression.
Refugees come from lots of different backgrounds and for lots of different reasons. Some people are running from difficult circumstances.
Every person is an individual with their own story so it’s important not to make assumptions about anyone. It’s important to take the time to listen and understand.
Shupi’s story
Shupikai has qualifications in social care. She works as a support worker for a home health care service and volunteers with local charities.
I was young and I wanted an adventure. I came to London after 6 months living in Germany and my first impression was, ‘Oh no.’ It was so dirty compared to Germany and the people were unfriendly and always in a rush.
I had a lot going on when I first moved to Leigh. My little boy had been a twin, but his brother had passed away and things hadn’t worked out with his dad.
My neighbours in Leigh were different to the people in London. They were always willing to help. Because I had a lot on my mind, I would sometimes forget my keys when I went out, but a neighbour would always be there waiting for me when I got home to make sure I could get back in.
I joined a church, and everyone was very supportive. I volunteer to support others now and I hope I’m compassionate and a good listener. My difficulties in life have made it easier for me to understand and help others who have problems.
I adapted well to life here because my family back home are not deep rooted in traditional culture. I do miss family gatherings. My family are massive. My dad has 9 brothers and 5 sisters so when we all got together it was like being at a big wedding celebration.
I hope people realise that a lot of what you might see on social media about refugees is false. There are lots of hurdles for anyone who comes to live in the UK. It is not easy, and you have to go through so much before you get settled.
My hope for the future is that people will treat each other equally.
Hanna’s story
Leigh resident Hanna left her home, job, and mum in the Ukraine when war began and started a new life in Leigh with her teenage son. She tells of her shock at the outbreak of war, the moment she decided to leave her home country, adapting to life in Leigh, and missing her mum, and her cat, Chester.
Read other stories from local refugees and asylum seekers.