Centrepoint celebrates Refugee Week

Young people at Centrepoint celebrate Refugee Week

For one week in June every year the world honours the courage, resilience and strength of refugees. The week provides an opportunity to deliver positive messages that counter fear, ignorance and negative stereotyping; encouraging better understanding between communities.

The event at Centrepoint had something for everyone, with singing, dance, poetry, speeches and a fantastic range of different foods to try. Young people from across all of Centrepoint’s services got involved and those that showed exceptional participation were presented with prizes by Centrepoint Chief Executive Seyi Obakin and Maxine Edney, Chief Operating Officer for Centrepoint services.

Seyi said:

Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin makes a speech at the celebration event

“1 in 4 of the young people living in Centrepoint services is a young refugee. Throughout their long and daunting journey, from persecution and suffering to asylum and protection, and eventually to a place they can call home, refugees show incredible strength, courage and determination. This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these young people, and for everyone across Centrepoint to experience the colour and diversity of different cultures.”

In 2008, Centrepoint provided accommodation-based services for around 280 young refugees and supported many more. Refugee week was a chance to celebrate these young people and the thousands of young refugees who seek asylum in the UK each year, just as Habte had to do when he left Eritrea.

Habte’s story

In 2001, when still just a child in Eritrea, Habte was taken from his family and forced to fight in the army against Ethiopian forces. He endured atrocities, witnessed friends being killed beside him and was shot in the shoulder.

After such traumatic experiences, Habte refused to take further part in the fighting. As a consequence, he was thrown into prison where he endured habitual beatings and torture, sustaining injuries to his back and head; injuries that still affect his life today.

Whilst in prison, Habte was presented with an opportunity to escape. With two others he managed to reach Sudan, where, owing to the dire economic situation and without rights in that country, they came close to dying from starvation. Fortunately, they were taken in by a farmer and, after several months labouring in Sudan and Egypt, they raised enough money to fund places in a boat from Libya to Italy and the chance of safety.

The crossing of the Mediterranean by those seeking protection from African countries has resulted in an estimated 12,000 deaths in five years (ICRC), the boats being heavily overcrowded and leaking. Habte and about 150 others were in one such boat. But, he says, “If you have one small chance or none, you take that chance”.

With people dying in the sinking boat they were unable to complete the crossing and were forced to land at Malta. From Malta, contrary to international law, the survivors were returned to their own countries, where Habte’s life was once again fraught with danger. In Eritrea, Habte was considered an army deserter and was again imprisoned, ill-treated and tortured. The level of maltreatment caused him to be hospitalised. Whilst in hospital, he again attempted escape, and once more reached Sudan, where, under the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he was given full Refugee Status and sent to the United Kingdom under the Gateway Protection Programme.

When Habte arrived in the UK he found himself homeless. Thankfully he was referred to Centrepoint where he has been receiving housing and support for nearly two years. Now 24 years old, Habte, although safe, still suffers health and emotional problems from the ordeals and traumas he has faced in his short life with the additional stress of difficulty with a different language and a new culture.

Habte has no blood family in the United Kingdom, and for the past two years, he has considered Centrepoint his family where “I can get advice, help with my problems, and hope for the future. Centrepoint understands me.”

At Centrepoint, Habte has found trusting adults who he can turn to for advice and support, knowing he will have an on the level conversation and complete consideration. With support from staff Habte is spending time working through his emotional problems so that he will be able to take an active part in society. He understands that his priority is improved health and a settled life with education and employment.