My name is Fatma. I came to the UK as a refugee from Sudan. I have a six year old son. It was difficult for me as English is very different to Arabic. The writing is different, the reading is different, and the language is different.
I was referred to an ESOL class in Streatham by the Job Centre. I started the course but became homeless and was placed in a Haringey Travel Lodge, two hours away from Lambeth.
I would wake at 4am, and travel two hours by bus with my son to Granton Primary school in Lambeth as I could not afford to take the train. After dropping off my son, I would go to my ESOL class with Train2Work Academy and then wait for my son to finish his school. We would normally get back to the hotel at 7pm, eat, take our medicine and sleep a few hours. We lived on takeaways as there was nowhere to cook. My teacher helped me write letters to Lambeth Council and to my local MP. After four weeks I was given temporary accommodation in Croydon.
In class we are taught to tell each other how we are feeling and to express our emotions. This meant that I could help my classmates that are going through similar issues.
At The Train2Work Academy I completed and passed courses in Entry Level 2 ESOL Reading and Writing, Numeracy skills and a Life in the UK test.
My teacher helped me create my CV and I applied for a kitchen assistant job at my son’s school. My teacher helped me to complete the application form, prepared me for the interview and provided me with a reference. I was successful at the interview and I am now waiting for the job start date.
Joining Train2Work Academy has changed my life. The environment is relaxed and the staff are very kind. I feel the personal touch I received from the centre. My teacher ensures that we all understand our lessons by introducing us to different activities rather than quickly moving on.
Over time, my confidence grew, and I felt supported. I resolved my housing issues by attending appointments to discuss my situation on my own using the English I had learnt.
Before everything was hard because I did not understand a lot of things. Life is now better for me. I no longer need an interpreter. I have passed my Life in the UK Test and I applied for my British Citizenship with the help of Mustafa Muse. I will have my Citizenship ceremony on 13th August at Lambeth Town Hall.
Life is not easy in a new country when you don’t understand the language and culture but with the right support and learning environment, it is possible. I now enjoy learning. My teacher is always happy and this makes me happy. She always encourages me to do more.
I want to be a nurse so I will complete an ESOL Level 1 and Access course. I am also looking forward to starting my new job as a kitchen assistant and continuing my studies so that I can achieve my dreams.