Asha Service Manager, Godefroid Seminega, is honoured for his contribution to social inclusion for refugees and asylum seekers
Here is the story as reported by Susie Rack, BBC News West Midlands…
A former asylum seeker who founded a charity to support other migrants has been recognised with an honorary degree.
Godefroid Seminega was awarded a doctorate in a ceremony at Keele University on Friday.
The Rwanda-born founder of Asha North Staffordshire said he felt “very, very happy” with the honour.
“It’s not about me, it’s about everybody involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers,” he added.
The university said it was “beyond thrilled” to recognise his “incredible work”.
Mr Seminega fled Rwanda when he was 36 and sought asylum in the UK.
“Back in my country I had a great career. I was public health adviser for the whole province,” he said.
“I found myself destitute on the streets of London, begging for £3 to get a bus pass to go and see my immigration associate.”
Mr Seminega’s charity offers a variety of services, from advice on legal aid and benefits to the provision of food, clothes and toiletries.
He found himself sharing a double bed with up to four other asylum seekers in a Croydon hotel and described seeing those around him sleeping in the street after losing support.
He considers himself fortunate to have been granted refugee status in two months, and soon after began campaigning for reform.
“I decided to create something to really help asylum seekers so they don’t go through the same traumatic experience,” he said.
After moving to Stoke-on-Trent in 2004 he co-founded a community organisation for refugees and migrants from West Africa, which evolved into Asha North Staffordshire.
The charity now supports the integration of nearly 1,000 migrants a year from countries worldwide, with the help of nine paid staff and 65 volunteers.
Mr Seminega next plans to expand the charity’s services across south Staffordshire and east Cheshire and encourage others with lived experience to volunteer.
CONTACT US
Follow us on Facebook
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
