MY COMMUNITY
A home from home Brent has been working with the Home Office’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement programme since 2017. Syrian farmer Jamal Al Khaled explains how it has helped him to thrive here
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amal has been living in Neasden since March 2017 with his wife and two children aged seven and four. “My home country had many problems,” says Jamal. “Every day there were bombs.” Before arriving in Brent as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme run by the council, Jamal and his family lived as refugees in Lebanon for five years where Jamal worked as a plumber and builder. His family struggled to live a normal life. “In Lebanon, the children couldn’t go to school and we couldn’t access doctors and
hospitals,” Jamal explains. “But here, my children are going to school and we have a GP and can do normal things like go to the park.” Jamal’s family is the first to have benefitted from the resettlement
access appropriate accommodation, healthcare, education, benefits, English courses, and so much more. The aim is not just to adapt to a new life and culture but to build their confidence, self-esteem and independence so that they feel integrated into their local community. “I like fixing things,” Jamal says with a big smile. “So I have been helping other Syrian families with things that need fixing in their homes. I’m good at it so I help because I like to.” Jamal has done more than depend on the support provided to him. He came to London with basic level schooling and speaking no
The aim is not just to adapt to a new life and culture, but to build their confidence, self-esteem and independence. programme which works to make sure Syrian refugees in Brent can do ‘normal things’ and build a good life in their new home country. The programme provides holistic support to refugee families so that they can
English but after starting his ESOL course, he progressed rapidly in just a couple of months. He was awarded by the City of Westminster College for his outstanding achievement and dedication. Jamal said: “My dream is to one day continue to work as a plumber or builder here so that I can make a better future for me and my family.”
Jamal and his family with the Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Butt
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AUTUMN 2018