My lifeline
“Because I am homeless the buses in London are my lifeline. There they are, going round the city all day and all night.
It is more than ten years since I have had any secure accommodation and I often have to sleep on the bus. It is not easy spending a whole night on the bus and at the end of the night you feel so haggard. But at least you are not on the street.
As a woman, you have to keep yourself to yourself. You don’t touch anyone, you don’t speak to anyone, you don’t look at anyone.
For a while I lived outside London but that nearly killed me, because when it was cold at night I had nowhere to go. At least in London you can stay on the warm bus all night.”
From charity to charity I go
“I have to move a lot, constantly going through London. It’s a city that I know well now.
One by one, every week I visit the charities that help women like me. I visit Women for Refugee Women in Old Street, where I learn English and learn about women’s rights. I visit the Red Cross, where I can get a shower and do my laundry. I visit the Jesuit Refugee Service, where I get help with food and transportation.
I’m constantly going around the city, visiting these charities, trying to stay strong.”
I don't want to get lost (part 1)
“Every month I have to report to the Home Office in London Bridge. I must stay in the system and report. I have been detained once already so I know there is always that fear.
But I don’t want to get lost. I want to stay in touch with the Home Office and one day I will get my papers and then I will be able to rebuild my life.
I still have that dream.”
I don't want to get lost (part 2)