Mirwais was not concerned about finding a job in the UK; he just wanted him and his family to be safe. A member of his family had been confronted by the government about their job, and now the lives of Mirwais’ family were at risk. They went on the run. They left and were safe for five months before they were found and threatened again. They found another place to live, but one month later, they were found and threatened with their lives. They had to leave, with the help of smugglers they escaped and began their 3 month journey to the UK. During the trip, Mirwais, his wife and four children hid underground for 41 days.
They survived and made it to the UK, but starting again wasn’t easy. Mirwais had been a science lecturer for nearly 30 years in Afghanistan, but in the UK his qualifications were not valued and language was a barrier. As Mirwais put it: “The Jobcentre always pushed me to work as a cleaner... They just wanted me to work.” He told them about his qualifications but the only work available to him was physical labour-working with his hands as a cleaner, or in a shop or in pizza delivery. Mirwais spent 6 years doing odd jobs before he found out about Council for At Risk-Academics, a charity that supports academic refugees back into work. With the help of grants and a paid fee to sit an exam, Mirwais is now hoping to start a decent job soon. His oldest daughter is too: she has just completed her degree in medicine.
Rafi worked on the frontline as an interpreter for British forces in Afghanistan from 2006-2011. He was involved in mentoring and logistics in Helmand province. It was a dangerous job, but Rafi and his family believed it was for the long term security and prosperity of Afghanistan. After five years as an interpreter, Rafi’s job ended after he sustained serious injuries from a roadside bomb. He left his job but later received death threats from the Taliban. He decided to make his way to the UK.
“I expected to be welcomed as a hero and to be treated as a friend of the British people the same way that we welcomed the British forces in Afghanistan” But instead Rafi waited for 17 months to find out whether he’d be allowed to stay in the country as a refugee. He was refused the right stay though he spoke fluent English and had wounds and scars on his body. There was not enough evidence that he’d been an interpreter with the British Army, it was reasoned that he’d only been treated in a military hospital. But with help from the media, Rafi has now been given refugee status and is waiting to hear from the Home Office on whether his family will be able to join him. He is studying to be an accountant.
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