“THE GROUP'S GENEROSITY SURPRISED US. OUR DOCUMENTS ARE ALL DONE. EVERYONE TREATS US AS IF WE ARE FAMILY.”
HASSAN
U.K.
The Al Shaabin left Syria at the beginning of the war. “There is no going back. Our house has been destroyed, there is nothing,” said father Hassan, whose four children were all of military service age. They fled across the border to Jordan, where they were held there for eight years.
Hundreds of miles away, 19-year-old Bea Forrester decided to bring her neighbors together to try to do something about the refugee crisis during her gap year. She never expected more than 100 residents to show up at the first meeting in Peckham, London.
“The core group became a mini-community in itself,” said Bea, who quickly organized people into subcommittees and got to work finding a home, raising money and preparing to apply for community sponsorship. The group managed to raise over £20,000 in just four months.
“I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE EFFECT THIS HAS HAD ON THE COMMUNITY.”
James Lynch, a volunteer who helps translate into Arabic, said: “I was impressed with the effect this had on the community. I met people I would never have met – all with different abilities and backgrounds. And that improved the experience.”
“I was so happy when I got the call from UNHCR after waiting almost 4 years. Our children are safe now,” Hassan said. The family's move to the UK allowed father Hassan to be treated for cancer – which was impossible in Jordan – and which appears to be in remission.
While the parents are still learning English, the children already have plans to finish their studies and start working.