Asha’s drummers set St Giles alight! 12 January 2020

Asha is grateful to the Rector of Newcastle’s Civic Church for inviting Asha to introduce a new dimension to their monthly family service which starred our drummers.

Interspersed with hymns and Bible reading, the congregation heard the story of two asylum seekers, one of whom achieved refugee status and is completing his third year at university and other who was killed when his final appeal to stay had been rejected and he had little choice but to opt for voluntary return to the country he had fled.

The congregation learned how the hand of friendship reaching out to a new arrival, can alleviate the pain, separation and loss of family, home, job, community and country.

One of Asha’s teachers concluded the event by introducing a couple of Befrienders and Befriendees, Jamal and Comfort, before reading a poem, a ‘Glass of Tea’, by Shukria Rezael, aged 15.

Last year, I held a glass of tea

to the light. This year,

I swirl like a tealeaf in the streets

of Oxford

Last year, I stared into navy blue sky.

This year,

I am roaming under colorless

clouds.

Last year, I watched the dazzling sun

dance gracefully. This year,

The faint sun moves featurelessly

And my heart, I’d say

Is displaced

Struggling to find its place