Emmanuel, Sudanese man, 40
Being here is very different. Because in my country I was getting a degree and now my peers
are in very high ranks, in the banking sector, financial sector, the civil services, all of them in
Sudan. Now, there's no comparison between me and them. When I reflect on this sometimes
I think I have wasted my time, I've wasted my skills. But at the same time... I have to take into
account my circumstances at that time. I had to leave in order to survive and make a better
life for myself.
It is not possible to get a job in my profession. Even in order to work in KFC and McDonald's
you can't get the job immediately when you land here. First you have to go to Deli
restaurants like the restaurants run by Indians and Pakistanis or Bangladeshis. You go there,
you get some experience and after that you might get into McDonald's or KFC. I did this at
the beginning and then got a job as a kitchen porter in a hotel. I washed dishes for a few
months and was offered a job as a night porter.
I like this work because I can perhaps find a course and re-train during the day in another
field but its difficult to navigate the adult education system when you don't know where to
turn for help.
The house where I live is crowded because I share it with other men but it's ok when they are
at work during the day and I want to sleep after a night's work for a few hours. It's hard to
find somewhere to rent because you have so much competition. You have about 10 other
people looking at the house, and the landlord is meant to choose whom they prefer. It's very
difficult for people who are not originally from here because they ask for different references
and guarantors, so we pool together to afford it and make it work. The house is in disrepair
and has some damp and mould problems but our landlord doesn't take much notice when
we complain. I think he thinks we should just be grateful that he's renting to us. Recently we