President Nick Bell welcomed Steve Parsons, District Governor for Rotary District 1110; Alan Priddy, Assistant District Governor, Group 4 and James Lapage from Southampton Magna Rotary Club. President Nick then welcomed our speakers, Lesley Sheldon-Browning and Kennedy Indyhole. We also had the pleasure of welcoming Honorary Member Kimberley Barber, editor of the Hampshire Chronicle, and finally, our scholar from Winchester University, Thomas Bwambale, on this occasion representing the Rotaract Club of Winchester, where he is president.
Our first after dinner speaker, Lesley Sheldon-Browning, has worked for over 10 years with SWVG, (Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group), where she is also a trustee. Through her presentation entitled “Lives in Limbo: A Journey Through the Asylum System” she explained the real issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers when they enter this country, often after a long, dangerous and frightening journey.
An asylum seeker is one who has fled their country, applied for international protection, but is waiting for a decision. A refugee is an asylum seeker whose claim has been officially accepted, granting them legal status and specific rights. Many have to leave their families behind due to the dangers of the journey.
Lesley told us that many of the refugees and asylum seekers are well educated, want to work, and know nothing about our benefits system. Many are resourceful, courageous and have a deep sense of self respect. Lack of English can be a serious barrier to understanding the complex English system for processing their application to remain here.
SWVG has mostly trained volunteers who offer befriending and support for asylum seekers. They offer English language tuition, help with housing and subsistence for the destitute. Activities and outings are organised to help those seeking asylum to gain some experience of English life. Several Winchester Rotarians help with transport to the Market Garden Project, where they volunteer, as they are not allowed to work.
Our UK Resettlement Scheme allows us to support the most vulnerable refugees direct from regions of conflict and instability. It is a longstanding principal of the UNHCR, (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), that those in need of protection and asylum should stay close to the first safe country they reach where there are often similarities in culture and language.
Most countries that host refugees are those with low to medium incomes. In Europe the UK ranks 5th highest for the total number of asylum seekers it receives. However, when adjusted to per head of population, the UK drops to 15th highest in Europe – below the EU average.
Our second speaker, Kennedy Indyhole, from Uganda, came to the UK seeking sanctuary. In his home country he was cruelly beaten, abused and put in detention: he nearly died. In 2020 he was poisoned by his wife who sold all his possessions; all this suffering and violence because he was a political activist who believes in good governance, opportunity for all, and is an advocate for human rights.
Finally, he had to flee Uganda, leaving behind his family and children. Thankfully, his children are now safe in Kenya. He found sanctuary in Winchester where he experienced care, kindness and the restoration of his dignity. He was honoured to receive a scholarship from the University of Winchester to study law, education, and international relations.
In the warmest of words Kennedy expressed his thanks and gratitude to SWVG, to Winchester, and to our Rotary club. As a student at university, he has been granted refugee status – the “golden star” for asylum seekers.
Let us hope that many more asylum seekers, who have been forced to flee their homeland, finally receive this precious “golden star”.
Diana Brooks
Read Kimberley Barber’s report for the Chronicle here.
What a fantastic evening!! So sorry to miss it. Thanks to all who organised it