A former refugee who came to the UK with her young children as she fled domestic violence has lauded our nation as "the most welcoming place" as it's given her "stability at last".
Kana Josée, 43, has shared her story of strength and hope as Refugee Week comes to an end, highlighting how her idea of "home" has changed since being displaced from her birth country Rwanda, and since then her previous residence in The Netherlands.
The mum of two now lives happily in Oldham, Greater Manchester, is a confident business professional with an online fashion company, a charity worker and inspires others. Her journey is featured in a poignant 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.
The Mirror’s People Move exhibition, also held during Refugee Week, further celebrated the lives of refugees in the UK, and created a safe space for them to share their experiences.
Speaking last night to Mirror, Josée said she's finally found stability - and credits the then "Queen's land" for this for being so "welcoming".
Josée said: "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.
"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 happy place, a stable place."
Josée packed some bags, and took her children - a boy and a girl - on a coach to a friend in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in 2012 and knew after days the UK was to be her permanent home - despite considering other countries, such as Belgium.
"I was a bit nervous at first. It was a big, serious decision to move the kids over. It was difficult," the woman continued.
"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 am I 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."
The mum, who is now 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, Josée says, when she realised "the UK was the right place".
She and her children, who are now young adults, love their new home, having moved to Oldham one week after stay in Sheffield.
But the immigration system has changed somewhat since 2012, and Josée feels the UK should embrace refugees again.
The author and entrepreneur continued: "The UK is the most welcoming place for refugees, for immigrants, and I wish I would stay that way.
"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."
UK for UNHCR's emotional film also features people from Bangladesh, Burundi, South Sudan, Syria and Uganda, and what home means to them and their families.
In the Global Trends Report released last week by UNHCR, it was 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.
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."
A 90-second extract of the video is shared on this news article, but the whole film can be watched via Youtube here.
