VIEW, Issue six, 2012 REFUGEE WEEK 2012


A strong voice for refugees


Brian Pelan talks to Justin Kouame, chairperson of the Northern Ireland Council of Refugees & Asylum Seekers (NICRAS)


I


ers in Northern Ireland. He cut a dashing figure in his suit and hat and


first met Justin Kouame at the launch of Refugee Week 2012 in Belfast City Hall. He was there on behalf of NICRAS, who organised the recent week of activities on behalf of refugees and asylum seek-


deliver a confident speech when he addressed the in- vited guests at the City Hall. We arranged to talk later during the week at the NICRAS office on University Street in south Belfast.


Website: viewdigital.org


Page 6


was constantly ringing with inquiries from refugees, 42-year-old Justin told me a little about himself and his work on behalf of NICRAS. “I came from the Ivory Coast to Belfast in 2009.


I’m still in the process of claiming asylum. I believe passionately in what NICRAS is doing “When I came here first I was a bit confused


Sitting behind a computer and with a phone that


with so many different flags on the streets. I decided to go to the library to try and find out a bit more about the place. I also attended integration courses to learn more about Northern Ireland. “Refugee Week is a way for us to say thank you to the people of Belfast for giving us shelter and mak- ing us feel welcome. We also use the occasion to show people what we can do and who we are.” He praised the makers behind a new video


short, ‘Destitute Size Me’ (http://bit.ly/MXcq3E), which looked at the experience of two volunteers who talked about trying to survive on £10 a week – which is the reality for those in the United Kingdom who are denied asylum.


thausted their appeals and has no means to support themselves “More needs to be done, that’s why we had the


Refugee Week to try and raise awareness. There is a misconception about the reality of our lives. Some people think that asylum seekers and refugees have everything, that they are taking jobs, they have lots benefits, etc.


racism here except on a few occassions, such as re- cently when a couple of guys in a car shouted racist abuse at my friend and I. I don’t see this as a big prob- lem, though, compared to the welcome I’ve got here. “What I miss most about the Ivory Coast is


family and going to a friend's house when you finish work. I also miss home cooking and the hot weather. “We just want to let people know we are here


and to try to understand us – that is the most impor- tant thing.”


“I personally have not encountered that much “A desitute is an asylum seeker who has ex-


Al I


drinks an taking pa event, sh A l


event ov make thi or not. E about th look on surely so that was To


refugees and excr seal thei Th


Many thanks to photographer Maria Breen (right) who provided the images of Refugee Week. To contact Maria: Web: MariaIsabellaBreen.com Email: mibreen@hotmail.com


Above: Justin Kouame and (top right) a selection of images from Refugee Week, including events at Ormeau Park, the John Hewitt pub and a fashion night in north Belfast


daily act the them A w


resource are often three ne


found canop peop bump


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22