A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

Christine Alsheikh is a recent medical school graduate from Aleppo, Syria. She wanted to share her 4-month volunteering experience with ASHA North Staffordshire and how it has enriched her life…

Growing up in the midst of conflict in Syria, I witnessed the struggles of less fortunate people in developing countries. Despite the challenges, I remained ambitious and committed to leaving a positive impact on the world. In pursuit of that goal, I commenced my undergraduate studies at the University of Aleppo, Faculty of Medicine in October 2017 and successfully graduated in October 2022 with an impressive average score of 84.535%.

During my time as a student, I was actively engaged in both work and volunteer activities with various community-based organisations. Notable experiences include my work as a field worker in the Hygiene Promotion Program at GOPA-DERD. This program was sponsored by UNICEF and primarily targeted youths aged between 10 to 24 years. In this role, I was responsible for conducting awareness sessions to educate and empower young people to take control of their health. This involved planning and executing activities and closely supervising the participants to ensure their active involvement.

Additionally, I volunteered with the Mashabek Initiative, serving as the Research Support Program Coordinator. In this program, we designed, developed, and delivered effective training courses and materials focused on scientific research and evidence-based medicine to medical students in Aleppo, Syria, which played a vital role in strengthening Syria’s scientific research environment to make progress in healthcare and medical research within our country.

However, in February 2023, my circumstances took a drastic turn, and I found myself in a life-threatening situation in Syria. Consequently, I had no choice but to leave behind everything I held dear, including my life, home, dreams, and friends. I left Syria abruptly and sought asylum in the UK on February 8, 2023.

This transition was far from easy, as I was forced to relinquish everything I had built in Syria overnight. I left behind 24 years of my life and embarked on a journey to start anew.

Two months later, on April 19, 2023, I was accommodated in Stoke-on-Trent and advised by locals to seek assistance from ASHA North Staffordshire, an organisation providing valuable support to asylum seekers. Upon my first visit to ASHA, I was deeply moved by the sense of community and the welcoming atmosphere. I witnessed families and children finding comfort and happiness in a place that had qualified to be their second home, offering safety and breather, things that they were deprived from in their home countries.

One of ASHA’s staff members introduced me to the organisation with a warm and friendly smile. That day, I inquired about opportunities for involvement, as my legal status prevented me from working in the UK. Learning that I could volunteer at ASHA, I eagerly requested a volunteer application form and completed it on the spot, knowing that I wanted to become a part of this supportive community.

I began my volunteer work with ASHA on May 17, 2023, where I initially assisted with food service. A fellow volunteer provided guidance on my tasks, and as visitors arrived, I recognized many familiar faces from the hotel where I reside. Over time, I had the opportunity to volunteer in different roles, such as organising clothes, engaging in art activities with children during Mothers and Babies days, and registering people as they entered ASHA. Each of these roles provided me with a unique set of experiences. Therefore, I had to adapt to various methods to perform my best in these roles as the responsibilities and target age groups varied. Consequently, I became more flexible and familiar with nearly all the individuals who frequent ASHA.

Since leaving Syria, I have grappled with profound trauma and experienced severe symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This was partially due to the immense life changes I underwent and, significantly, as a result of surviving a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on February 6, 2023, just three hours before I left my home.

My involvement with ASHA has been unexpectedly therapeutic. It has demonstrated the power of bringing smiles to others’ faces as a means to make ourselves smile, and it has reinforced the idea that we can raise faith by providing hope to those in need. My experiences at ASHA have shown me that life must persist, and despite the depth of my personal wounds and exhaustion, I have discovered the capacity to give and live again.

As I continued to volunteer at ASHA North Staffordshire, I realised that despite my extensive previous experience in serving the community, this opportunity was unique and transformative. It marked the first time I found myself immersed in such a diverse community, requiring me to communicate in a language different from my mother tongue. This experience has empowered me with a wide range of invaluable skills. Foremost among them is the substantial improvement in my interpersonal and communication abilities. Communicating closely with diverse groups of asylum seekers, volunteers and staff members has developed my skills in effectively engaging with individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and languages. I have become more proficient in active listening, empathising with others, and discerning non-verbal cues—essential competencies for any medical professional.

Furthermore, I have gained the capacity to adapt my communication style to meet the specific needs of individuals, such as children, adults, or families, which will be invaluable additional skills in my future medical career, enabling me to connect with patients on a different level and provide compassionate, patient-centred care to them.

However, everything must come to an end, and now that I am preparing to depart for another city to commence my Master’s degree program next week, I am writing this letter on my last day of volunteering at ASHA. From my perspective, and if I may offer some feedback about this remarkable organisation, I consider ASHA to be one of the leading and outstanding organisations in the field of serving asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrants. Drawing from my personal experience, these individuals often face exclusion and harassment due to their immigration status. ASHA provides a peaceful and respectful environment for these families who have had to flee their home countries. It empowers and supports them to the fullest extent possible, fostering their active engagement and integration within the community they have chosen to call home.

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the invaluable experiences and growth that my time with ASHA North Staffordshire has afforded me. It has been a pleasure to be part of an organisation that stands as a beacon of hope and support for asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants in their time of need. I have witnessed the transformative power of ASHA’s mission, and I am confident that their unwavering dedication will continue to positively impact the lives of countless individuals in the future. As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I carry with me the invaluable lessons and connections forged at ASHA, and I remain a steadfast advocate for the remarkable work that this organisation does. Wishing ASHA North Staffordshire continued success and prosperity in all their endeavours.

Sincerely,

Christine Alsheikh

Email: christine98t@gmail.com

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Office: 01782 363122

Godfrey Seminega, Services Manager (works full-time): seminega@asha-uk.org

Jackie Gregory, Wellbeing Co-ordinator (works part-time Tuesday, Friday and occasional Saturdays): jackie@asha-uk.org

Lydia Mugoyikazi, Women’s Club Co-Ordinator and Caseworker (works part-time Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday): lydia@asha-uk.org

Helen Ranford, Finance and Administration (works Tuesday to Friday): helen.ranford@asha-uk.org

Facinet Keita, Digital Health/IT and Unaccompanied Young People Support Worker (works Monday to Thursday): keita@asha-uk.org

Tamba Musa, Asylum Guide, Social Inclusion and Men’sSupport Worker (works Tuesday to Saturday): tamba@asha-uk.org

Charity Reg. No. 11769634 (England & Wales) Company No. CE013097