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In order to escape from the persecution, Papy came to the UK from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2007.  ‘I was the victim of the war. I lost everything,’ says Papy. ‘I’ve been attacked in my homeland. I had no choice. After the government took the power, they were chasing (Tutsi) people who helped the rebellions. […] To save my life, […] I left Congo by myself with just my bag…’

While he was studying in Kinshasa, his parents were killed by the government in 2004, because his mother was from Tutsi tribe, and his parents were blamed for ‘supporting the rebellion group.’ ‘People in Congo were trying to kick out Tutsi people. Sometimes I was considered as Tutsi, (although) my father is from Congo.  I’m like a mixed. When you are mixed, sometimes it is difficult for them (Congolese) to accept you. Even here in the UK, if you tell people at Congolese parties that my mother is from Tutsi tribe, sometimes it’s difficult for them to accept you. They already do not like Tutsi people because this is where rebellion comes from.’
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Challenges: Language and Lack of Information

For Papy, the English language was the most challenging, as he only had three years of the basic English education in Congo. ‘If you cannot speak the language, you cannot make friends (here).’

In addition to English, when he first came to the UK, he did not know anything about the systems in the UK until a charitable organisation helped him. For example, as an asylum seeker, he had to go and report to the police, but he did not know that he could ask the Home Office to provide him with a travel card. Until a lady from the charitable organisation told him so, he paid by himself.

Tipping Point: Wife

‘When it (losing the whole family) came to me, it took me sometime to settle until I met my wife…’

Papy met his wife one year after he came to the UK. She is also from Congo and when they met, she already had two children. ‘She is the one who makes my life very easy. I came from somewhere where the most important persons in my life [was lost].  I started to get hope again (after I met her). You know someone loves you and someone is waiting for me at home. […] My wife and children helped me to settle better and forget about the things in the past.‘

Belonging

Papy now attends ESOL class and engages in charity work, while waiting for the refugee status to be granted. ‘They keep me busy. […] It is much better than staying at home.’

In 2008 their first child was born.  ‘We live together. They (his wife’s first two children from a different partner) are my children, too. […] I learn English mostly from them.’

In the future, Papy would like to get a university degree in the UK and work as a solicitor to help people who have similar experiences like his. ‘Some people lose things here because they do not know, because they do not have anyone to help them unless they find charities. Not a lot of people know charities. If you go to a solicitor, you have to pay money. That’s why a lot of people do not know anything about their rights. They lose things. That made me think about learning to be a solicitor one day and help people. This is what I want to do.  I’ve been a victim of not knowing what to do and not knowing my rights.’