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Yonathan and Rachel - Refugees At Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

A refugee and the host who shares her home with his family discuss the benefits the arrangement brings

Yonathan and his wife Hermon met at school in Eritrea, and after having to leave the country came to the UK in 2015 and requested asylum. They were taken from Heathrow airport to Stockport, and spent a year in the north. After Hermon became pregnant they moved to London to be nearer family members living there but struggled to find a home.In March 2017 the charity Refugees at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ asked Rachel if she would have Yonathan and Hermon to stay - their daughter was a few weeks old. They have been living with Rachel and her family ever since. Yonathan has a job in customer service and the family has been told that Manchester city council have agreed to find them a permanent home. This will be a big upheaval as the majority of the friends and family they have in the UK are in London, but Yonathan is prepared to do what is best for their daughter.
Rachel lives with her partner and their son in South London. Rachel volunteered in Calais around 'the Jungle', and then began helping at 'Refugees at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ' in her spare time. They have had several refugees stay with them - some for a few days, some for a few months. At first reluctant to have another child in the house, Rachel believes hosting has enriched their family and has helped turn her son into an open, special child. Both families say they are lucky to each other in their lives.

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4 minutes

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