Real Life Stories
I never imagined, as I headed to work on the morning of 15 April 2023, that it would be the last day of the Sudan I had known all my life.
I was sitting in an examination room waiting for my first patient when the world around me suddenly changed. Explosions shook the building, and the sound of relentless gunfire filled the air as fighting erupted between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The force of the blasts threw me to the ground. My first thought was of my children.
Fortunately, it was a Saturday and schools were closed. I tried to reach my car and get home, but tanks and armed vehicles filled the streets. I found myself trapped in the middle of a battle. After a terrifying journey, I finally reached my family the following day.
My husband and children had been sheltering in our basement. Within hours, Khartoum had fallen into chaos. Soon afterwards, RSF fighters attempted to recruit my 15- and 12-year-old sons. To protect them, I handed over my jewellery in exchange for their safety.
After two months of living through war it became impossible to stay. We managed to escape Sudan and reach the United Kingdom. When I arrived and saw the immigration officer, I felt a sense of relief for the first time in months. As news of the conflict spread, we realised my children would be unable to continue their education and the safe lives they had in Sudan: we felt we had no option but to apply for asylum.
Eventually, we found ourselves in Mansfield. At first, I was frightened. I knew nobody, and after everything we had been through, I felt exhausted and broken.
Before long, however, I was introduced to Maun Refuge, a dedicated local charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers and helps them integrate into the community.
They became our anchor in Mansfield. They helped us understand the town and guided us through essential services, including schools, healthcare, and the local council. They supported my children with their educational needs and encouraged them to pursue their ambitions. They also supported me as I prepared for my professional exams, ensuring that I had what I needed to focus on rebuilding my career in medicine.
Most importantly, they believed in us. They saw our potential and made us feel that we belonged and could make a positive contribution to the Mansfield community. For that, I will always be grateful.
Today, I am working in a care job and am just one exam away from resuming my medical career. I also volunteer with Maun Refuge, where I strive to provide the same level of support and compassion that my family received when we arrived. My children are thriving in their studies and are active members of their community.
Mansfield people gave us safety when we needed it most. You also gave us the opportunity to rebuild our lives and look forward to the future once again. Thank you.
*not her real name
Nadia*
A Doctor from Sudan
“Maun Refuge has given me hope and I am so grateful. Thank you Mansfield.”
Dylan (not his real name) found his way here from Eritrea, a war-torn country in the horn of Africa. The recent history of Eritrea is one of colonial oppression, uprisings, violence and dire poverty. Those who could, have made high-risk escapes from the land that has demanded indefinite military service from men over eighteen.
This is Dylan’s story: “I was born in Eritrea at the turn of the century. When I was still a child, my father defected from the military because he could not, in all conscience, support the dictatorial regime. He would have been forced to stay in the army for life, or join the army of a neighbouring enemy country – that he would not do. My mother predicted the reaction of the government: any betrayal of the government would lead to death of the man and his family. Our answer was to leave the country. The border is very heavily patrolled. Many people do not survive the attempt to leave – they are arrested then killed. But somehow we managed it. So I had no choice but to live illegally in various African countries. It was almost impossible to find work because everywhere bribery, corruption and slavery were rife. In addition I was tortured because of my Christian religion. I endured many hardships in various countries, for example I had friends who were killed by smugglers in Libya. I crossed the Mediterranean Sea by boat to Europe in a terrifying journey that took 39 hours.
On arrival in the UK, I began to feel safer, but I still faced the challenges of communicating and understanding the culture. Sadly, some people don’t want us to stay here: they say ‘go back to your country’. But most have been kind to me. I have learned to deal with these and other challenges. I am beginning to understand the language, the laws and traditions.
Dare I feel I might settle? Recently I have received the ‘right to remain’ so now I am allowed to work. This means I am beginning to support myself, so in a small way I am helping this country.
Dylan*
A refugee from Eritrea
Every refugee we welcome to Maun Refuge has a unique journey. Today, we invite you to read one of those powerful stories from our community in Mansfield. As our work continues, we would like to introduce you to Stella Samuel (not her real name). Her account is deeply moving, heartbreaking, and one she calls, “I Left My Home to Stay Alive.”
Home should be a place where you feel safe, loved and accepted. For me, home became a place of fear.
I was born and raised in Tanzania where I believed I would spend the years ahead raising my family. Instead, I found myself forced to leave everything behind.
I was accused of being involved in a same-sex relationship. In Tanzania such relationships are criminalised. I was arrested. My legal case was still ongoing when I realised that remaining in my country placed me at risk not only of rejection and hostility from people around me, but life imprisonment.
I made the heartbreaking decision to flee my country in search of safety. Leaving Tanzania was the hardest decision I have ever made.
I did not only leave my home. I left my two children.
There can be no pain greater than waking up every day knowing that your children need you, yet you cannot hold them, comfort them or watch them grow. Every day I wonder whether they are healthy and safe and whether they understand why I had to go. Will I ever see them again?
In 2025, I arrived in the United Kingdom and sought asylum, hoping for the opportunity to live with less fear and to rebuild my life. I have had to learn how to navigate a completely different way of life while waiting anxiously for a decision on my asylum claim.
Living in Mansfield has shown me that there are still people who believe everyone deserves dignity and respect. Many individuals, charities, churches and official bodies offer support. Especially the charity Maun Refuge whose staff and volunteers have been there whenever I have needed practical support and guidance. They have also given me the opportunity to learn English, which is helping me communicate with confidence and become more independent in my daily life.
Today, I continue to wait for the outcome of my asylum claim with hope. My dream is simple. I want to live in safety, recover from the trauma I have experienced, contribute positively to my community and above all – one day – to be reunited with my two children.
People often ask why asylum seekers leave their countries. The answer is simple.
We do not leave because we are looking for an easier life. We leave because we are trying to stay alive.
Stella Samuel*
A refugee from Tanzania