HELPING REFUGEES INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY
Adam Osman
Adam Osman’s English skills, though basic are remarkable given that he's never been to school. Hailing from Sudan, Adam came to England two years ago and had to start from the beginning, by learning the alphabet. Now, his English is good enough for him to volunteer at the Star and Shadow Cinema in Byker, helping with construction projects as they refurbish the building.
Dressed in a smart shirt and suit trousers, Adam arguably defies the stereotypical image of refugees, however, he faces the same underlying concerns. Tentatively, Adam admits if he thinks too much about his asylum application, the uncertainty of his future makes him feel sick. He lives in limbo not knowing how long his application will take to process or even whether he will be able to stay in England at the end.
Yaseen
Laughing and smiling as he describes through broken English how London is known as ‘The Capital of Fog’ in his native country Sudan, Yaseen seems like any other traveller revealing their perceptions of another country.
Yet he is not.
Yaseen is a Sudanese asylum seeker currently in the middle of the asylum process. Having not seen his family for four and half years he feels isolated as he lives on his own and knows few English people. Whilst he finds it easy to talk to other Sudanese refugees, Yaseen hopes to meet more people from countries other than his own; helping him to mix with a diverse range of individuals, and thus integrate further into society.
Yaseen was willing to speak to us, on the basis that we did not film him, or publish his second name.
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