AZIM and AZIL

Azim and Azil arrived in England on 1 August 1999. They had left behind them the war in Kosova.

They had travelled by lorry for five days, payment being £5,000.00, they had no idea were their journey would take them.

'You pay, get in and go'

Their home village had been burnt to the ground, the villagers decapitated and their animals slaughtered. Those lucky enough to escape scattered. Azim and Azil's father was not one of the lucky ones.

They arrived in England unaware of what had happened to other family members. It was only after several months that they discovered that the surviving members of their family had escaped to Albania.

After being in England for six months the brothers were given permission to work, this they undertook quickly finding employment in a local hotel. Working and living together they earned enough to pay for their board and lodgings and were able to send some much-needed money to their relatives in Albania.

Azil met Helen in the early part of 2000; today they are married and expecting their first child.

'I kept my relationship with Azil a secret from my family at first, but now my family think he is wonderful'. This was a gradual acceptance, for Helen's family knew little about asylum seekers. They were very cautious in respect to the blossoming relationship between the two. This caution had obviously dissipated by the time they married, the newly weds with Nan and greatnan danced together and hugged.

Azim and Azil are still working hard, Azil to support his wife and coming child, like any young married couple they are busily establishing their first home, Azim to still send what money he is able to his relatives in Albania.

Of the future, Helen looks loving at Azil 'many happy years, just the normal things in life'.

The reality of their future is at present uncertain, there are continuing problems in Kosova, those who remained and lived now want a 'pure race'. Many have become rebels; extortion has become the norm, for those families who have been in England it will be believed that they will have become wealthy.

The reality, you pay or you die.

The hope, they remain in England.

This Page was last updated: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 1:26:29 PM
This page was originally posted: 26/2/03; 1:20:55 pm.
Copyright 2004 Thanet Refugee Access