The kindness of strangers: how Mohammed built a new life
13 november 2019
Mohammed Jalali was forced to flee his home country of Afghanistan after witnessing his father being kidnapped in the middle of the night.
“I loved action movies, growing up. With friends, I liked playing football, hiding, things like that,” he said.
“When I was in Afghanistan my father went to Ukraine. When he returned, our problems started because he became a Christian. And in Afghanistan, if someone becomes Christian or another religion it’s really dangerous.
“One night, people in balaclavas came to our house and tried to take my father. They had guns, they were shouting and my mother was crying.
“I think it’s the Taliban but I’m not sure. After this we didn’t know what happened to my dad but it wasn’t safe, anything could happen to you as well.”
After his father was taken, Mohammed feared for his life and made the brave decision to leave his country for his own safety.
“I decided after that to go to Europe to escape. I found people that could help get me into the UK,” he said.
“They put me in a box in a lorry. It was a very small box, you could hardly move. I had a pain in my heart.
“Nearly a day later, the ship arrived in the UK and the lorries came out. The driver stopped on the motorway and opened the back door. When he saw me he was shocked. He told me to get out.
“I didn’t know where I was. The police caught me and took me to a police station. After that they sent me to Cardiff. When I arrived there, the Home Office gave me a letter telling me that I had to go back to my country.
“I felt very upset. I thought about my country and how I’d have to leave again because it wasn’t safe there.
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“They put me on a bus to the airport. When I started walking to the flight security called my name and said, ‘Mr Jalali you have to come back, your ticket has been cancelled’.
I think about my situation before and now I鈥榤 so thankful
“After, they gave me a ticket to go back to Wales. I was very happy.”
Mohammed met Reynette Roberts, the director of Oasis, a charity in Cardiff that aims to help refugees and asylum seekers to integrate within the local community.
“I met Reynette in Oasis. She’s a very lovely with any person from any country, like family,” said Mohammed.
“She offered me a room in her house. The room was pink, which was funny, because it belonged to her daughter who was at university in London.
“It was very kind, nobody does that. She has a big heart.
“This was the moment that gave me a new opportunity and a new life.”
Reynette explained how she helped Mohammed when he first visited the centre in Splott, Cardiff.
“When he first came in he didn’t speak much English,” she said.
“So I got a friend that spoke Farsi so Mohammed would understand, to explain things like where you put the rubbish and what he doesn’t like to eat and things like that. So I learnt that he doesn’t like prawns!
“And when you were learning to drive you used to correct my driving, do you remember?!
“Mohammed’s favourite word is ‘patience’, because when he was still an asylum seeker I used to say to him, ‘Be patient, you need to be patient, just wait - it will happen’.
With the help of Reynette and the community, Mohammed’s life has changed significantly. He helps out at the centre that gave him support, and now thinks of Wales as his true home.
“I think about my situation before and now I’m so thankful,” he said.
“I couldn’t speak English or talk to people, I couldn’t get a job or go anywhere but now I can do all of that.
“Whenever Oasis need me I help them as well. I enjoy it because they helped me before, and the people that come here, I know their situation.
“I go to the cinema now as well, watch action movies, and have a cup of tea at home. It was sad to leave Afghanistan but my real home is in Wales.
“Life can be difficult but just be strong and patient and work very hard. Just be strong.”
