Hasan

Hasan is from Syria and came to the UK around one year ago on a Resettlement Programme having lived in Lebanon for ten years. He joined the project very soon after arriving and is now a core member of our events volunteers team. He has experienced the project both as as a participant and a volunteer, giving him an extra perspective.

How are you finding the UK?  

I'm happy to be here now and there's friendly people. I'm a student and I have a lot of plans in the future. Right now, I'm just trying to learn English at Hastings College. Maybe afterwards I want to study law but I'm not sure yet, because I'm always making new plans and changing my mind. Other than studying, I like painting sometimes, reading books, cycling when the weather's nice.  

When did you meet The Refugee Buddy Project?  

Well, first time I got to know them from Hiba the interpreter. She's a kind and beautiful lady. Then we had a workshop on the seafront to paint the mural by Goatledge. It was the first time I find out I like painting and I can do that, which was a surprise!

How do you feel when you walk past that mural?  

Yeah, I feel happy. And it really was a beginning from there. Actually, it was amazing beginning for me.  

You've been busy helping out with project events quite often as well. What do you help with?  

I help them with organising things, during events and clearing up. For example at the Limbo film screening I worked with the chef helping him prep the food, I helped setting the tables, general service. At the Syrian Pop-up too, I was the assistant chef to Helen who is a friend. Yeah, it was a lovely time.  

What does volunteering mean to you?  

I like it because I had the experience before, I worked with Save the Children in Lebanon for six months. I would go down with another person to Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon and we would register the names of the children who weren't in education or registered in schools yet. We were taking note and registering children from the ages of 2 till 14 so we could enroll them in school.

Generally I like working and helping and being useful to people in need. I like working with people from refugee backgrounds as well because I feel they're like me. This time is a particularly testing time, so I feel that they need extra support because I know how tough this period is.   

Why is volunteering important despite the difficulties?  

It's important because this is an avenue that can give you experience. You can be proud of the things you're doing because it's honourable work. And the fact that this kind of work isn't for everyone, I think actually is a good thing because sometimes people only want to work for money in return. But this hasn't at all been a priority for me with this work. I work to give benefit and learn.   

What kind of resources are available to you as a volunteer with The Refugee Buddy Project?  

As well as resources like ID lanyards and uniforms, I really want to mention an opportunity that was brought forward to me as both refugee and volunteer. Rosanna told me about an opportunity to be interviewed by the BBC a few months ago. It was amazing. I spoke about my journey when I came from Lebanon to here, what are the things that greatly differed for me here, how I feel about living here by myself. I was also asked about the difficulties and obstacles I faced early on. So it was a really great interview to be part of. I was really comfortable throughout the interview. And I also had Hiba the interpreter helping me. She was translating for me, which made me feel much more at ease. And I could speak more clearly and with more freedom without being tied down by my level of English.  

It was it was such a good experience and this is one of the great experiences that I have had because of The Refugee Buddy Project.  

What did your family say about the interview?  

Yes, I recorded it and sent it to them and they were so happy to see it and watch it. They told me they were proud and I loved it. I think possibly this is a chance at me being recognized from this interview or my story to be recognized. I also thought that maybe I could have this as an option to pursue in the future if law doesn't work out. I love this kind of work. I love speaking. I love interviews. And frankly speaking I think I'm comfortable in those environments and I don't feel under pressure. Maybe I'll be famous one day! I'd like that.  

What's something you're looking forward to?  

So currently I'm really happy to be working as a volunteer with the Refugee Body Project, and honestly, I think this project is an important presence. in this town and should be everywhere, not just Hastings, because they offer so much support, and they were so good to me.  

When I first arrived here. I felt so alone, afraid and isolated. But I didn't feel any of that after I met the buddies. Especially because I got involved with the project so early on in my journey. I think I remember I arrived here and then two or three weeks later I was with the project. So they were very quickly uplifting me and didn't make me feel like I was a lone refugee or that I didn't have anything to do.  

I hadn't been introduced to the project, I wouldn't have been as happy or settled as I am now. I can't believe that even now, I don't actually have that much free time. All of my time is occupied and full and busy and vibrant - which is so exciting for me . I know it sounds like I don't have much time for myself, but for example, there's workshops, Stitch For Change. We finish one project and straightaway start the next one. We're always in communication. There's always something happening. Right now, they have so many events going on. Which means all the more opportunity for me to volunteer with them and help them out. I feel like these kind of organisations need to be everywhere - especially for refugees who came to this country by themselves, like me. Not with a family, not with anyone.  

Now that I'm also a little bit better in English, I'm looking for part-time work. Maybe initially just two days a week, just so that I can organize and plan around my other commitments.   Now I really think about it, when I volunteered with the project, my English got better. At the start there was always someone with us to interpret and translate. But now I don't need that. Not even just in events, but also when I go and meet up with the other buddies just for a chat. I feel like it's a normal meeting. I'm by myself understanding everything, even though no one is there that understands Arabic or can translate for me. And I talk back.  

Sometimes there are words I don't understand. But they easily gave me an explanation to its meaning and how it's used. And both sides, we do our best to understand each other and reach a point of communication. But to be honest, I'm so happy in that moment. Just to be with them.  

I compare my experience with people who have just gone to college to learn English, and I think I've really delved in deep. I've had two buddies who I meet once a week each for conversation practice which I really enjoy. We make nice conversation and I'm really comfortable with them. We speak about our daily routines, what I've done in college, about ambitions and what plans I have, just general conversation. And sometimes they even help me with my homework!  

Maybe our life experiences are different, the style of thinking, personal interests, we're also different ages. But this doesn't hinder our conversations at all and doesn't make it difficult.  

Do you see yourself in the future becoming a buddy yourself to someone newly arriving?  

Yes, I'd love to do that. Well, I see myself with The Refugee Buddy Project forever so of course in the future I want to work with them in any capacity I can. If I become a buddy, that's great. It will be different because if someone who has come here speaks Arabic, I will be able to understand them. So it might be easier to get along or they might feel comfortable with me. Hopefully. I have the knowledge of their mother tongue, I understand his style of thinking, their cultural background, and the environment they grew up in. That would be nice, I think. I'm looking forward to that.  

What's your message to the readers?  

So my message to refugees coming to the UK: it's so valuable to mix with people. Don't wait for people to come to you. Chase your opportunities. You need to ask and strive because it won't be easy. Accept the differences of this new country. You don't need to compromise on your own beliefs to live comfortably here in the UK.  

And my message for English locals would be: of course, I really recommend for anyone to join the Buddy Project and volunteer with us. Not everything in life is about money, but this role is so rewarding. You get to meet new people. You discover more of the world. So volunteering is something that is so important and necessary. You won't feel the difficulties if you're going in with good intentions. If you have that drive and desire to help people from within your heart, then you're going to love the work. You're not going to find it difficult. For example, for me when I'm working in the events. I'm working long hours. And I'm working hard - whether it's working in the kitchen or service or clearing up. At the end of the day, I might be tired, but I'm so happy, because I love the nature of the work and I want to do more of it.