South East: 'We were refugees, but now we're entrepreneurs'
Yudit Kibrom said she "could not believe" she had made it to the UK after arriving at Dover hidden in the back of a lorry filled with onions. The then 16-year-old had travelled from Eritrea on a months-long journey, in which she said she was forced to drink water mixed with petrol in the desert due to thirst and constantly feared for her safety.Ms Kibrom told the BBC she fled "oppression" in the east African country, which the monitor Human Rights Watch has described as having one of the world's most repressive regimes. Granted refugee status in 2011, she began college but had to drop out as she got pregnant.
Without anyone to help her, Ms Kibrom became a taxi driver so she could fit work around childcare, but said she wanted to be independent and so founded a driving school in Canterbury."It was quite hard," the now 35-year-old said. "But I got there." Overcoming many challenges along the way, she said DLS Driving School was the "best thing" in her life."I'm doing something really good to help the community," Ms Kibrom told the BBC, adding how happy she is when she sees former pupils waving at her driving past. She said she was "not here to rip people off or ruin the country" and refugees like her were "working really hard".
Having fled Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Larysa Smirnova arrived in the UK in May 2022 with her nine-year-old son and just one suitcase.She told the BBC she was warmly welcomed by a host family in Surrey. But the 31-year-old, who ran her own company before the war, said she soon wanted to support herself. With her Ukrainian engineering degree not recognised in the UK, she said she took every job she could, cleaning people's homes, windows and gardening, often communicating with customers through Google Translate as she did not speak English.
'I see my future here'
"When you are working you are not worried," Ms Smirnova said. "You don't have time to spend thinking about what is happening to your friends and family back home." "It was emotional," she added. "It was hard. But I did every job as good as I could." Ms Smirnova said she saved for several months to buy equipment, only spending money on essentials, and was eventually able to establish her own cleaning business in Godalming, which employs people in the local area."I like England," she told the BBC. "I see my future here."
While studying at Kent University, Basma Eldoukhi founded a social enterprise called Roouh, which sells artistic handicrafts made by Palestinian refugee women in Lebanon through an online store.She told the BBC the enterprise allows the women to share their "stories of displacement and life in the camps" in what they make, besides providing employment in a "difficult economic situation". The products also help inform people about Palestinian history and heritage, Ms Eldoukhi added.
"Some people in the UK can look at Palestinians as victims," the 35-year-old said. "By bringing their art and culture to the country we can humanise them."That... [can] bring people together rather than showing us that we are all so different." Ms Eldoukhi, who described herself as a "Palestinian from a background of displacement", came to the UK as a student in 2019. She told the BBC her main challenge now was how to scale up the enterprise she had built on her own, alongside her studies."I have a lot of ideas, but don't have the time," she said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Consultation to consider extending ban on destructive bottom trawling fishing
Marine and fisheries stakeholders are being asked to take part in a consultation on the prohibition of destructive bottom-towed fishing gear that could affect approximately 30,000 km2 across 41 marine protected areas (MPAs). Environment Secretary Steve Reed says 'urgent action' is needed to protect seabeds and nature before irreversible damage is caused. The UK is under pressure to step up marine protections as the third UN Ocean Conference begins in France on Monday. Governments, business leaders, scientists and campaigners are gathering for the environmental summit in Nice where the spotlight will be on the commitments individual governments make to reduce the impact on their territorial waters, such as banning the damaging fishing practice of bottom trawling in MPAs. The consultation, led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Defra, runs for 12 weeks from Monday to September 1. The proposed measures would add to the approximately 18,000 km2 of English seabed already protected from bottom-towed fishing gear. MPAs are areas of the ocean established to protect habitats and species essential for healthy marine ecosystems, allowing vulnerable, rare and important marine life to recover from damaging human activities. Bottom trawling and other forms of destructive fishing are permitted in UK waters but conservationists have long been campaigning for a full ban across all marine protected areas. There are 181 MPAs, including three highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), covering 93,000km² or 40% of English waters. The measures aim to protect marine habitats ranging from subtidal sandbanks to gravels to muds, and support important marine species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines. A ban on bottom trawling in these areas could help conserve valuable and rare marine life, and allow seabeds to recover from damage caused by destructive fishing practices. It could lead to healthier marine ecosystems across English waters, support greater biodiversity and help preserve vulnerable underwater life. New management measures for fishing in 42 MPAs in English waters – a ban on bottom-towed fishing in 41, and the prohibition of fishing using traps in a specified area – are among the proposals. Mr Reed said: 'Bottom trawling is damaging our precious marine wildlife and habitats. 'Without urgent action, our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed – depriving us, and generations to come, of the sea life on which we all enjoy. 'The Government is taking decisive action to ban destructive bottom trawling where appropriate.' Ariana Densham, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said the consultation is 'ultimately a long-overdue completion of a process started by the previous government' and added that bottom-trawling in the protected sea areas is 'like bulldozing national parks'. She said: 'The Government should now strengthen the ban to cover all parts of our marine protected areas, and other types of destructive industrial fishing like supertrawlers and fly-shooters. 'Only this will ensure our marine ecosystems are protected in reality – not only on paper. 'The goal to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 is global, and while the UK must do its part at home it also has a critical role to play in protecting the high seas far from our shores.' Tom Brook, ocean conservation specialist at WWF, said 'done right, these protections can be a win for people, nature and the climate' and 'this is exactly the kind of leadership we need if the UK is to deliver on its promise to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030'. Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts policy and public affairs director, hoped the consultation would see the measures introduced 'rapidly to enable recovery of these sites, a win-win for both nature and the climate.' Oceana UK executive director Hugo Tagholm described the proposals as 'a golden opportunity to safeguard these vital marine sanctuaries from the most damaging fishing practices.' He added: 'If these whole-site bans are fully implemented, this could provide an invaluable and urgently needed lifeline for England's seas, which are so crucial for wildlife and climate resilience.' The consultation comes after Ocean With David Attenborough, released in cinemas to mark the renowned naturalist and TV presenter's 99th birthday last month, showed new footage of a bottom trawling net blasting through silt on the seafloor and scooping up species indiscriminately. The world will also be watching at the summit in Nice to see which countries ratify the UN High Seas Treaty – a pact to establish protected areas across international waters. The ocean treaty, which was agreed by 193 countries two years ago, will not come into force until ratification by 60 countries but just over half of that number have done so. The UK Government is among those that have been criticised by environmentalists for not yet ratifying the treaty or at the very least announcing a timetable to introduce the legislation required. Asked last week whether there has been any progress, nature minister Mary Creagh told the PA news agency: 'We need a legislative slot in Parliament's timetable. 'Any international treaty has to be done by the Foreign Office. We have had discussions with Foreign Office ministers. 'I am confident the treaty will be ratified but it will be ratified in due course.'
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Coleen Rooney says Unicef support for Ukrainian families is a ‘lifeline'
The 39-year-old said she could not 'imagine' what Ukrainian refugee families must be going through, emphasising how important it is to stand with them. Coleen Rooney, right, talks to Yuliia Karpenko in a park near Krakow main train station (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA) She said: 'I can relate to being a mum and the first thing (you would do) in that situation is to get out of danger, to make sure that the kids are OK and we can find somewhere. 'I couldn't imagine what was going through their heads… the emotions.' While in Krakow she visited the Spilno Hub, which helps families find accommodation and offers access to a range of services such as psychosocial support and legal assistance. The Unicef-run centre has helped people such as Yuliia Karpenko, her sister Olisia and Yuliia's four-year-old daughter Anastasiia 'Nastia' who were forced to flee Ukraine with just one bag on an evacuation train. She said: 'Hearing about the lasting effect the war in Ukraine has had on Yuliia and her family will stay with me for a long time. 'Her determination to create a safe and supportive community for her family in Poland really shone through. 'Thanks to Unicef, she's been able to meet other mums, learn Polish and find work in a kitchen. 'And her daughter, Nastia, has been able to make friends with other children and spend time playing, just as any four-year-old should. Coleen Rooney with children and workers of the Sun Centre during classes (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA) 'It was a privilege meeting Yuliia and her family and to see how money raised by Soccer Aid for Unicef really is changing lives. 'Leaving their home and not knowing when they'll be able to return was so hard for them. 'But spending time at the Spilno Hub has helped them to feel safe. 'It supports families who've fled the war in Ukraine in so many ways. 'It's a very special place.' During the trip, Rooney visited the Education Rehabilitation Centre, a specialist school funded by the children's organisation which supports young people with disabilities. There she met a young autistic boy, Murat, who could not talk when they first left Ukraine and has since been able to say a few words. She said: 'It's such a calming place and the teachers there are so supportive and caring. Coleen Rooney (right) with Murat during a sensory therapy class (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA) 'Kateryna (Murat's mother) told me that the changes she's seen in Murat have been incredible. 'When they left Ukraine he wasn't able to talk but he's now started to say some words and can communicate with other children too. 'She said that when they arrived in Poland she felt hopeless but, thanks to Unicef, she can now see a future there for them.' Donations made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled this year up to £5 million thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation. Rooney said: 'As a mum myself, I couldn't help but think of my own boys when I met children like Nastia and Murat. 'Seeing them smile and play despite everything they've been through was incredibly moving. 'Hearing their stories really reminded me how important it is that we stand with families who've been through so much, every child deserves a safe space to play – as a parent this is all you want for your child.' To donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef and support children around the world, visit
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Consultation to consider extending ban on destructive bottom trawling fishing
Marine and fisheries stakeholders are being asked to take part in a consultation on the prohibition of destructive bottom-towed fishing gear that could affect approximately 30,000 km2 across 41 marine protected areas (MPAs). Environment Secretary Steve Reed says 'urgent action' is needed to protect seabeds and nature before irreversible damage is caused. The UK is under pressure to step up marine protections as the third UN Ocean Conference begins in France on Monday. Governments, business leaders, scientists and campaigners are gathering for the environmental summit in Nice where the spotlight will be on the commitments individual governments make to reduce the impact on their territorial waters, such as banning the damaging fishing practice of bottom trawling in MPAs. The consultation, led by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Defra, runs for 12 weeks from Monday to September 1. The proposed measures would add to the approximately 18,000 km2 of English seabed already protected from bottom-towed fishing gear. MPAs are areas of the ocean established to protect habitats and species essential for healthy marine ecosystems, allowing vulnerable, rare and important marine life to recover from damaging human activities. Bottom trawling and other forms of destructive fishing are permitted in UK waters but conservationists have long been campaigning for a full ban across all marine protected areas. There are 181 MPAs, including three highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), covering 93,000km² or 40% of English waters. The measures aim to protect marine habitats ranging from subtidal sandbanks to gravels to muds, and support important marine species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines. A ban on bottom trawling in these areas could help conserve valuable and rare marine life, and allow seabeds to recover from damage caused by destructive fishing practices. It could lead to healthier marine ecosystems across English waters, support greater biodiversity and help preserve vulnerable underwater life. New management measures for fishing in 42 MPAs in English waters – a ban on bottom-towed fishing in 41, and the prohibition of fishing using traps in a specified area – are among the proposals. Mr Reed said: 'Bottom trawling is damaging our precious marine wildlife and habitats. 'Without urgent action, our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed – depriving us, and generations to come, of the sea life on which we all enjoy. 'The Government is taking decisive action to ban destructive bottom trawling where appropriate.' Ariana Densham, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said the consultation is 'ultimately a long-overdue completion of a process started by the previous government' and added that bottom-trawling in the protected sea areas is 'like bulldozing national parks'. She said: 'The Government should now strengthen the ban to cover all parts of our marine protected areas, and other types of destructive industrial fishing like supertrawlers and fly-shooters. 'Only this will ensure our marine ecosystems are protected in reality – not only on paper. 'The goal to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030 is global, and while the UK must do its part at home it also has a critical role to play in protecting the high seas far from our shores.' Tom Brook, ocean conservation specialist at WWF, said 'done right, these protections can be a win for people, nature and the climate' and 'this is exactly the kind of leadership we need if the UK is to deliver on its promise to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030'. Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts policy and public affairs director, hoped the consultation would see the measures introduced 'rapidly to enable recovery of these sites, a win-win for both nature and the climate.' Oceana UK executive director Hugo Tagholm described the proposals as 'a golden opportunity to safeguard these vital marine sanctuaries from the most damaging fishing practices.' He added: 'If these whole-site bans are fully implemented, this could provide an invaluable and urgently needed lifeline for England's seas, which are so crucial for wildlife and climate resilience.' The consultation comes after Ocean With David Attenborough, released in cinemas to mark the renowned naturalist and TV presenter's 99th birthday last month, showed new footage of a bottom trawling net blasting through silt on the seafloor and scooping up species indiscriminately. The world will also be watching at the summit in Nice to see which countries ratify the UN High Seas Treaty – a pact to establish protected areas across international waters. The ocean treaty, which was agreed by 193 countries two years ago, will not come into force until ratification by 60 countries but just over half of that number have done so. The UK Government is among those that have been criticised by environmentalists for not yet ratifying the treaty or at the very least announcing a timetable to introduce the legislation required. Asked last week whether there has been any progress, nature minister Mary Creagh told the PA news agency: 'We need a legislative slot in Parliament's timetable. 'Any international treaty has to be done by the Foreign Office. We have had discussions with Foreign Office ministers. 'I am confident the treaty will be ratified but it will be ratified in due course.'
