We did not choose to become 'children', dependant and non-productive.

Omid-Arezo (Iran)

At first I had work permission, but now they have taken it away. (see The Application Process - 45 day Rule ) When I had work permission, I could work and pay rent and eat. But some people use people like me. When I did have a cleaning job the supervisor knew I didn't speak English very well, I didn't know the law very well. That's why sometimes he was paying me maybe half of my wage per hour, or half the hours I had worked, and he gave me the worst jobs. When I asked him he said to me: 'No you don't understand English properly'. But I couldn't ask all the time, because if I did, he wouldn't give me any more work. (see Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Article 23) ... the full story

Rodrigo (Colombia)

Here I don't have permission to work, I can't do anything except wait for them to throw me out. Not being able to work or participate affects you more deeply than you can imagine, it's like they deny you all of your rights. You don't have the right to struggle for your bread, to fight for your name or yourself, to be able to live, to have a home, electricity or a phone. You don't have the right to have an opinion. You don't collaborate, you don't contribute, you don't constitute any part of society or any part of anything. You are obliged to beg just to survive. (see Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Article 25) ... the full story

Rio Domio (Africa)

I feel now like my life is gone. I feel stuck here. I've spent six years in Australia going through all this. I had ambition once; to study and have a career, to give my children a good life. I have studied and I'm not using my skills. I have an education but it's wasted. My career is gone completely. I wish I had another option, just somewhere safe, I don't care if it is Australia or a poor country like my own. But there is nowhere, you know. I can't go anywhere else, so I have to keep on struggling. (see Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Article 22) ... the full story