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Ms M
fled after rape in Kenya I came to the UK in January 1996, and claimed asylum immediately after arrival. I fled Kenya because I was politically active in an opposition movement, and was imprisoned, raped several times, tortured mentally and physically, yet my asylum case has been refused. I know other women who are undergoing the same as me. Accessing resources here is almost impossible and things got even worse after my claim was rejected. I lost all my benefits. The Council sent me from one office to another, from the Asylum Team to Social Services to Housing, and all of them said they are not responsible for me and my children. They’ve said I have to leave my flat. They refused to help even for a few weeks while my situation was considered by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) and I have been sent away empty-handed, without money for food or to buy nappies for the baby. I’m getting vouchers now, which are a nightmare, because I can’t pay bills with them, and supermarkets are expensive with a poor selection. I am under a lot of stress and have lost weight, especially with the threat of homelessness – I constantly worry where we shall put our heads if thrown out, and all our health has been affected. My son had to wait for a long time for an ear operation which wasn’t done well. He also has a weak bladder; I’ve been to hospital about this but up to now he still has the same problem. I’ve found out I am anaemic, but the medication I am given hasn’t helped and I am still unwell. The only prescription I can get is for paracetamol, which I can’t afford to pay for. I was forced to leave Kenya to save my life but things here are almost as bad. After five years of struggling, and the new immigration laws, our lives are even worse than when we first came here seeking safety. |