A pregnant asylum seeker who arrived in Glasgow Central Station bleeding, crying and with her five-year-old daughter in tow has hailed the city and its people for 'saving her life'.
Joy*, who asked to remain anonymous, was subjected to female genital mutilation at the hands of a tribe in Sierra Leone when she was just five years old. Terrified her daughter would meet the same fate, and fearful for her own life, Joy fled home in August 2021 and made it to Glasgow a couple of days later.
The mum-of-two is speaking out about her ordeal and how 'wonderful, angel' Glaswegians 'made her feel safe and at peace.'
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She told Glasgow Live: "When I arrived in Glasgow I was desperate. Due to pregnancy complications I was bleeding and had nowhere to go, I had my daughter and was crying.
"One man working at the station comforted me and said 'you don't need to go back, don't worry'. He helped me get to the Home Office, staff there told me I had to go to a police station.
"I had nowhere to turn, with no roof over our heads. A nice lady working in the cafe across from the Home Office got me to a station and soon after we were sent to accommodation.
"It was awful and terrifying but people were really kind. Like the signs you see here, people really do make Glasgow."
Joy and her daughter spent 16 days living in McLay's guesthouse in Renfrew Road.
They were then provided with accommodation in the Ibrox area before a neighbour introduced Joy to Amma Birth Companions; an organisation that supports parents and parents-to-be in need. Many service users are seeking asylum in the city from Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
"Amma have been wonderful, like angels to us, they are true life-savers," Joy added.
"They've helped me with everything I need, from basic things more complicated things. We don't have much but they have made us feel like rich people.
"I might not be near family or friends but Glasgow is home."
The kindness of strangers was especially felt when, in November, her baby born was born at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
"In Africa my experience of childbirth was awful and really long. Here the staff are professional and wonderful people," Joy said.
"Nurses and midwives who knew I had a boy brought in so many clothes and gifts. One had lots of bags of clothes donated from her sister-in-law.
"You don't get that kindness anywhere else, it was so overwhelming."
Having lived in the city for almost one year, Joy's daughter has settled into primary school and her baby boy is 'doing well'. While she jests that the cold weather was a bit of a culture shock, there's 'nothing she'd change' about her 'new home'.
"Glasgow saved my life," she said.
"Safety comes first, and our lives were truly at stake. Home is where you have peace of mind and Glasgow is home to me.
"Glaswegians make you feel welcome. I've not had one negative experience here, people are so friendly. We are grateful to be here."
Amma Birth Companions it has supported more than 175 parents who are refugees, asylum-seekers, and survivors of human trafficking since May 2019. The charity provides information, care, and advocacy throughout the perinatal period, with services that span birth and postnatal companionship, peer support, and education.
This month has been awarded Maternity Service of Sanctuary status, recognising its support and welcome for people seeking sanctuary.
For more information on AMMA Birth Companions visit their website, call 0141 471 9799 or email info@ammabirthcompanions.org.
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