The Jewish charity helping Afghan refugees rebuild their lives in Britain
Three Afghan refugees helped by World Jewish Relief and its partner have spoken about their experiences being supported by the charity
Jenni Frazer is a freelance journalist
Three of the many Afghan refugees helped by World Jewish Relief and its partner, the Horton Housing Association, (HHA) have spoken emotionally of their experiences, both in Afghanistan in the face of the renewed Taliban takeover, and now, in Britain, dealing with the challenges of settling their families into a new society.
“Saffiyeh”, a former interpreter in Afghanistan, has been in Britain the longest, since 2015, and has now become a vital lifeline for the newcomers as he gives them practical help, as a volunteer for the HHA.
He says: “I started working in the bridging hotel [in Bradford] as a case worker. I help families around the hotel, booking GP appointments, getting things from the shops, taking their clothes to the launderette. I help them set up bank accounts, apply for benefits and enrol their children in schools. These tasks are hard enough if you do speak English; if you don’t, they are near impossible without this support”.
World Jewish Relief has set up a busy programme of activities for the children in the hotel, so they don’t get bored — and it has also organised English language lessons for teenagers and women — “crucial assistance”, says Saffiyeh, in helping them integrate into Britain.
One refugee in his early 30s, who asked to remain anonymous, has a law degree and a big family to support — his wife and four children whose ages range from three months to six years. He admitted the transition from Afghanistan to Britain had had bumps in the road.
He said: “We are getting used to a new country, a new culture, new food, new schools, a new life. Our children don’t like the food because it’s different from what they are used to. Everything is new, but we are doing our best.”
Another Afghan refugee who had previously lived in Britain for 12 years before returning to his native country, spoke about the shock when the Taliban took over Kabul on 15 August. Also asking for anonymity, he said: “We left the country on 20 August. Those five days were very dangerous because I have a British passport, which made me a particular target. My mother hid it under the floorboards. She said: “If they find you with it, you never know what they will do.” He previously worked with small charities and non-governmental organisations in the north of the country, linking international donors to the local community.
After two days outside “scary” Kabul airport with his pregnant wife, surrounded by armed Taliban, attacking people indiscriminately, the couple finally arrived in Britain on 23 August.
Their daughter Ella was born in Bradford just after their arrival and this man, whose wife was “a passionate chemistry teacher”, devoted to improving girls’ education, are hopeful that Ella will be able to take advantage of all the opportunities open to her in Britain.
But he was despondent about the fate of his family in the Panjshir Valley, where his family is from. He said: “The Taliban fought their last killed anyone they came across, includingby brother and two cousins. For Afghans, this is one of the most depressing times of our lives.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
