Tents
“When I see people living on the street in London I feel so bad for them. I came here from DR Congo where I went through a lot of persecution. I suffered so much there. I’ve been refused asylum and when that happened I became homeless.
For a while I lived with a friend but one day she threw me out. She was throwing my things out of the window and a lady who lived below gave me a bag to put my things in and a tent, and she said, ‘You can sleep in this tent.’ I didn’t want to sleep in a tent. As a woman you don’t feel safe like that. Anyone can come and abuse you.
Then someone told me to go to Women for Refugee Women and I met other women with the same experience. They helped me find my way to the night shelters where you can sleep one night here, one night there. And then a charity found someone to host me. Now I live in someone’s flat and it’s okay but sometimes I sleep on the sofa. I can’t complain.”
No choice
“He is seeking asylum. We met at a charity where you can find something to eat. This is bread with tuna. You don’t have a choice what you eat. You just need to eat whatever you are given.”
Held back
“These two people are at a drop in for destitute refugees, where we can get food and clothes.
You feel so held back, when you don’t have papers. I feel I am in a prison. I can’t work, I am not allowed to do anything. You just feel so depressed, you go over and over your situation, you want to die. You just have to wait in line to be given things. You can’t make your life. You can’t move forward.
I want to learn English and set up my own charity, to help widows and orphans. I will not give up. I will go forward.”
I won't give up
“At least I didn’t end up on the street like this man. I put myself in his place when I saw him. Before I took the photograph I spoke to him, I gave him fifty pence, and asked him why he doesn’t go to the charities which help the homeless. He said, ‘I’m so tired of running around to charities, I’ve given up.’
I say to myself, I won’t give up. I go to charities where I meet other women and they help me find strength. When I come to Women for Refugee Women I feel happy. We talk freely, we say, ‘My sister, how is your case?’ ‘My sister, I am still fighting.’”