Taye’s Story
August 7, 2023
Taye fled from conflict in 2020 and came to the UK to seek asylum. He was dispersed to Swansea to live in asylum accommodation while the Home Office processed a decision on his application to be recognised as a refugee.
Taye is a bright young man who was teaching in Universities in his home country. Taye did not want to put his life on pause because he had to flee conflict, so he applied for a Sanctuary Scholarship and was successful.
The University that offered the Scholarship is based in Cardiff, but Taye lived in Swansea with no right to work and only had £45 per week from National Asylum Support Services. This was not enough money to cover transport to University, food, toiletries and other essentials. Taye asked the Welsh Refugee Council for help and they referred him to Housing Justice Cymru.
We reached out to our hosts to ask whether someone could provide accommodation so Taye could study. Gill was happy to welcome him into her home after they met. At first, Gill agreed to offer accommodation for one month. The Welsh Refugee Council applied for accommodation for Taye in Cardiff, but the Home Office refused to relocate Taye to complete his studies.
Months later, Taye is writing his dissertation and still staying with Gill. Taye was granted Refugee Status in July and therefore gained the right to work. He was successful in getting a job and is preparing to move on from Hosting.
Taye says:
“My future goal as a professional is to solve existing problems in water resources, hydraulics, irrigation and data science with environmentally-friendly solutions.
It’s true that if I didn’t get your hosting service, it would be impossible to attend my study. It’s difficult to daily come from Swansea to attend classes in Cardiff, sometimes the classes were 9:30am until 6pm which means I wouldn’t have free time to read or do my assignments, but your hosting service created an opportunity to study in a good condition.
Since I couldn’t afford the transportation cost it was difficult to complete my study. While I have left with my dissertation, because of your support and hosting service I have completed my term 1 and 2 with a first class honours.
I couldn’t thank you all enough to my host, Housing Justice Cymru and all its staff. Thank you so much for your hospitality, the opportunity you created for me and everything you did to support me, I will never forget throughout my life, thank you thank you thank you!”
Taye’s story is one example of how fantastic our hosts are. They open their home so people can rebuild their lives, follow dreams and heal. We are so blessed to be part of Taye’s journey and connect him with fantastic people like Gill.