A former refugee who moved to Oldham with her young children after fleeing domestic violence has praised how "welcoming and warm" the UK has been as it's given her "stability at last".
Mum-of-two Kana Josée, who was born in Rwanda, had been living in the Netherlands until 2012 when she packed her bags and took her children - then aged 11 and 7 - on a coach to a friend in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.
One week later, Kana, 43, moved to Greater Manchester where she and her family have lived ever since. She says she feels it has given her a 'sense of belonging'.
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Speaking of the decision to leave the Netherlands, Kana told The Mirror: "I was the victim of domestic violence in The Netherlands, which led to difficulties trying to settle and feel safe to raise my kids. I wanted a brighter future and to be in ahappy place, a stable place.
"I found the UK instantly more than welcoming, particularly as I was alone with my two children, who were eleven and seven at the time. They loved it and I loved it as well within one week.”
Kana, who is now a business professional with an online fashion company and a charity worker, says it was the best decision she has made for her family.
"I was a bit nervous at first. It was a big, serious decision to move the kids over,” Kana explained. “It was difficult. I was thinking 'if I move to the UK, will this be my stable home' because I was afraid of moving.
“I was born a refugee in Rwanda to Burundian refugee parents, and I was tired. But I am stable, and I feel so welcome and I am so, so grateful.
"When I moved, it was surreal. I was like 'Oh my gosh, I am in The Queen's land, and I feel welcome'. It was the hardest decision I have ever made but, for me, living in the UK has helped me get to the place where I want to be. People are actually there for you. It was such a good place."
Kana’s story has been featured in a short film, created by UK for UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), in which nine refugees share their tales of strength having all been forcibly displaced from their homes.
Alongside Kana, the film also features people from Bangladesh, Burundi, South Sudan, Syria and Uganda, as they explain what home means to them and their families.
Kana, who is also an inspirational speaker and author, recalled getting lost in the London Underground system weeks after arriving in the UK. A woman helped her find her way - and this was the moment, she says, when she realised "the UK was the right place".
But the immigration system has changed somewhat since 2012, and Kana says she feels the UK should embrace refugees again.
"The UK is the most welcoming place for refugees, for immigrants, and I wish it would stay that way,” she explains.
"People want to come to the UK because of the diversity and the inclusion of different backgrounds, in all sectors. So that's what showed me that the UK is a very welcoming and warm place for refugees, for migrants, for asylum seekers, so I really hope that it will continue to welcome refugees.
"Every refugee needs a safe place, and you never know the reason why someone is seeking refugee or asylum. People would like to have a welcoming home. So the UK should continue what they have always been doing - welcoming people.
"The day I became a Dutch national, and got my Dutch passport, I felt a sense of belonging. I feel that same sense of belonging here in the UK without a UK passport because the country has been so welcoming, and offered me a sense of stability at last."
A Global Trends Report released last week by UNHCR revealed that by the end of 2022, a record 108.4 million people had been forcibly displaced from their homes - an increase of 19.1 million from 2021. The most common reasons for people having to flee their homes included war, persecution, violence and human rights abuses.
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Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive of UK for UNHCR, said: "Hearing directly from those who have had no choice but to flee their home is something that is truly moving and inspiring. This short film is a testament to what’s possible when we work together to support refugees.
"I hope it will encourage us all to consider what home means to us, and what we can do to help refugees feel at home in our communities."
