We draw strength from our fellow travellers

Rio Domio (Africa)

I've survived because of the support I've received. I get a lot of support from most of the people I meet. I've never met anyone hating me because of my colour. What keeps me strong is the support from the community. That maximum support, you know, being with you, supporting you in times when you are unhappy. We help each other at the Refugee Claimants Support Centre everyone understands we are in a difficult situation. We say to each other 'Stay positive', we give each other positive messages; it keeps us going. ... the full story

Ramona and her mother Brenda (Sri Lanka)

At times like this it's the moral support that you need, not the material things. I've become positive minded rather than negative minded and I am singing with the Refugee Claimants Choir. We sing with real emotions. We are not just showing off our voices, I think everybody is singing with their own experiences. We sing together. That in itself is enough, that somebody is standing with you and to know that somebody is there for you. Life is so precious, otherwise why would we live in this world? ... the full story

Omid-Arezo (Iran)

When the other refugee claimants have problems it means I have a problem. We talk together, we respect each other, understand each other, and worry about each other. Anything we can do for each other. ... the full story

Aaron (China)

With other refugee claimants we supported each other, we would exchange information about changes in policies, the progress of our cases. We would cheer each other up, we would make silly plans together. I mean, looking back now they seemed silly, but back then perhaps they were the only thing you could grasp onto for help. ... the full story