Every year Refugee Week is filled with so many wonderful events, and people coming together in a welcoming spirit. For me being a refugee is not just a week, but my everyday experiences and the struggles I get through each moment for the past two decades.

This year’s Refugee Week theme was ‘You, me and those who came before us’; it was about recognising that all of us have a migration story somewhere in our family history. During Refugee Week, I challenged myself to attend as many events and do as many things as I could. I chose this year to take every opportunity that came my way and celebrate the week.

Monday

I’m always excited about Monday’s because it’s our drop-in day at Women for Refugee Women (WRW), with several activities to attend. However, this Monday, it was different because as well as attending the usual activities at WRW, which included yoga class, intersectional feminism class and the Rainbow Sisters group – I managed to rush out during lunch and attended a free self-defence workshop organised by Routes as part of Refugee Week. I learnt some basic boxing techniques in a really fun and supportive women-only space. It pushed me beyond my usual comfort zone and made me realise that I need new trainers, because I want to be more active.

Tuesday

I have a big day on Sunday, performing in our new show, ‘A Day in Our Lives’, so I arranged to meet with one of the volunteers of WRW to help me learn my lines. She was so fantastically supportive. She told me I had an outstanding ability to tell a story. I felt good in learning my lines.

Wednesday

Over the past few months I have been working on developing a campaign about ending destitution with WRW. I have been trained as a peer researcher and have been a key part of developing the research we are about to do. Today I was invited to a roundtable meeting about destitution with organisations such as NACCOM, Asylum Aid, City of Sanctuary etc. I strongly believe I delivered at that meeting and my voice was heard.

Thursday

This morning, I went to meet my befriender for a full English breakfast. I met my befriender through Host Nation, who matched me with a kind lady. During our breakfast I spoke to her about my upcoming performance on Sunday.

In the evening I went to the monthly Welcome Kitchen and Cinema event hosted at Amnesty International. It’s a great space that unites refugees and Londoners through a shared love of film, food and friendship. I enjoyed a delicious, freshly made and home-cooked meal made by refugees all over the world!

Friday

I got up early to attend the usual drama sessions at the Southbank Centre run by WRW. This was our final rehearsal session before our big performance on Sunday, so we all had to learn our lines. After the session, I stayed around the Southbank and watched a lunch time performance of singing by 100 primary school children who were part of Music Action International’s Harmonise programme. Through music they are raising awareness about refugees in schools, and enable people who have survived war, torture and persecution to express themselves creatively using music. I know music can be a therapy and a way to connect with other people. I have felt it when we sing together at my drama group. One of my friends said, “We dance and sing through our struggles,” and that is so true.

Saturday

Since I don’t have secure immigration status in this country, I am destitute. Currently, I am staying with a family. They provide a roof over my head and in exchange, I look after their children. I drop them off to school and back usually. Today I had to drop off the kids to their different activities, one to music and the other to football.

Later in the evening our drama group joined the Morris Folk Choir for a concert on the theme of migration in Dalston. This was our performance before our big day and it went really well. After I performed I stayed around to the end and made some good friends, who I invited to our event tomorrow.

Sunday

I got up excited and nervous at the same time, and I really wanted to do well at the performance today. The drama group means so much to me. It has enabled me to improve my confidence and look to the future.

After the performance, I was so proud of myself for remembering all my lines, and proud of everyone for doing so well.

Going to all these events has made me realise that migration is forever happening and everywhere, and that everyone has a migration story in their family. I’m a refugee because of circumstances beyond my control. But this week has taught me not to be ashamed that I came here to seek safety. It has made me feel welcomed by so many fantastic people I met throughout the week.

You all made me feel at home.