What led you to decide to leave Eritrea?
For as long as I can remember, tensions between my country and Ethiopia have been a constant shadow over our lives. Although the civil war officially ended in 2000, the threat of violence never truly disappeared. I was labeled "politically active" because I believed in a free and peaceful Eritrea.
One night in January last year, everything changed. I was taken from my home in the dead of night, held for three weeks, and tortured over and over again. When I was finally released, I returned home only to discover that my brother had been killed, and my wife, sister-in-law, and oldest daughter had been raped. We were shattered. As a family, we knew we had no choice but to act. It was decided that I would flee in the hopes of finding safety and seeking asylum.
I am: Jamal
Where are you from Jamal?
I’m from Eritrea in East Africa.
Tell us a little about yourself?
In my home country, I worked as a Pharmacist. I was initially allocated to a hospital but spent six years specialising in remote community health so would travel all across the region with my work. I have a wife and two teenage children who I love and miss very much.
What was the journey like?
It was terrifying and filled with danger. To leave my country, I had to pass through Libya. When I got there, the people who had arranged my journey betrayed me. They demanded more money and told me I wouldn’t be allowed to continue unless I could pay for my release.
They forced me into backbreaking work in construction, making me work for 12 to 18 hours every day. I was barely given any food - a small handful of macaroni - and just half a cup of water a day. I was beaten almost daily, treated like I was worth nothing. During that time, I couldn’t contact my family, and I had no idea if I would ever see them or even hear from them again. My wife later told me she thought I had died.
When I was finally allowed to leave, the boat crossing was no less brutal. The seas were rough, and we quickly ran out of food and water. The engine broke down several times, and each time, I feared we wouldn’t make it.
Why did you want to come to the UK?
Central Europe might seem safe, but it’s not. There are gangs there that traffic people and even work for the same factions causing chaos back home. I was constantly afraid. I chose the UK because I speak English, and I knew my qualifications would be recognised here.
I want people to understand that I don’t want to be away from my country forever. I pray that the situation back home is only temporary. My deepest hope is to return one day and help rebuild when it’s safe to do so.
What happened when you arrived in the UK?
When I arrived in the UK, everything I had was taken from me. I was left with nothing but a tracksuit and a pair of trainers. They put me in a hotel outside London, where I spent six long weeks. I didn’t even have a phone to reach out to my family, so they had no idea whether I was safe or even alive.
I was told I would be sent to Glasgow, though I didn’t know where that was. But at the last minute, they moved me to a hotel in Aberdeen instead. I felt completely lost and alone, far from everything familiar, and unable to tell my loved ones where I was or what was happening.
When did you meet AARC?
When I arrived in Aberdeen, I had been wearing the same clothes for six weeks. I felt so ashamed and worn down. Thankfully, someone from AARC was at the hotel, and they helped me get some clean clothes, toiletries, and, most importantly, a phone so I could finally contact my family and let them know I was alive.
At first, I was overwhelmed. I was struggling to cope with everything that had happened to me and my family. I felt deeply depressed and completely isolated. AARC stepped in and connected me with a counsellor who understood the trauma people like me go through. They also helped me find some volunteering opportunities, which gave me something to focus on and helped me feel human again.
Over time, AARC supported me with my asylum application, helped me register with a GP, and introduced me to other Eritrean people in the area - people who had lived through the same horrors I had. Their support made all the difference.
What’s your situation now?
I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Just a few weeks ago, I received the news from the Home Office that my asylum claim had been accepted. I can’t even begin to describe the overwhelming sense of relief I felt. Now, I’m focused on rebuilding my life, and I’m hopeful that one day I’ll be able to work in the NHS, giving back to the people of Scotland who have shown me such kindness.
I’ll never be able to repay the people at AARC for what they did for me during the darkest time of my life. They didn’t see me as just an ‘asylum seeker’—they saw me as Jamal, a person who was struggling but still worth helping. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Names and certain details have been changed to protect identities and maintain anonymity. AARC are extremely grateful to our service users for allowing us to share their stories to communicate the impact of our work to our funders, potential corporate partners and members of the public.