From Gaza to Brighton
Hosting for Palestinian student
“Positive Action in Housing didn’t just help me start a new life. They helped me believe I could deserve one—in safety, in love, and with dignity.”
Rabia with her hosts on a visit to London
My hosts—two of the most precious people in my life, believed in me before even hearing my voice. A family that didn’t know me, had never met me, and still said yes to hosting me. I came here after losing almost everything—my home, my sense of safety, my hope. I left my family behind in a nightmare I still carry with me every day, but every single person who believed in me gave me a piece of that hope back. Rabia, student from Gaza, Palestine (name changed for anonymity)
It's great to have a young person in the house again and it's lovely to be swapping stories around the kitchen table The reality is so much less than the fear- having Rabia here has been an absolute joy! Rabia's host family
Last summer, Rabia, a young Palestinian student reached out to Room for Refugees from Gaza. She had secured an offer to study at university in Brighton but was trapped in Gaza seeking a safe way out. Without accommodation she was at risk of missing the opportunity to flee to safety and pursue her education. Less than 12 hours after we initially approached local hosts, a host family responded. They explained how they didn't need much time to think about it, their hearts said yes.
We had no idea when Rabia would be able to safely evacuate and make the journey to the UK. After a long uncertain wait, we received the incredible news that Rabia had been part of an evacuation- the first cohort of over 30 students in Gaza to arrive in the UK following months of campaigning . Since then, Rabia’s host family have opened their arms and home to her, enjoying conversations around the dinner table and teaching her to ride a bike. Rabia has been diligently studying whilst juggling part-time work and pursuing opportunities to secure her future.
We are looking for hosts for Rabia’s second year of university. Could you or anyone you know support?
If you have a spare room and are interested to find out more, please register to host online, or contact roomforrefugees1@positiveactionh.org.
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