Refugee Week in Bradford: Asumani Susho from Congo

To mark Refugee Week, the Telegraph & Argus has spoken to people who were forced to flee their homelands and have since found sanctuary in Bradford.

READ MORE: Refugee Week in Bradford: Justin Ndagiro from Congo

Today, we hear from Asumani Susho, founder of grassroots organisation Bradford African Community (BAC). He is from Congo and lives in Manningham with his wife and four children.

“Everything” was new to Asumani when he moved to Bradford in 2012.

He came alone, hoping for a better life after spending 16 years in a refugee camp.

He still remembers the first person he met, a man named Richard who took him from the airport to his accommodation at 9 Greenway Road, West Bowling.

“I was starting from scratch – beginning a new life,” the soft-spoken Asumani says.

A decade on, Asumani, 40, now chairs Bradford African Community (BAC), helping refugees to integrate into British life – inspired by his own journey.

Asumani with BAC colleague Melat Melaku after receiving funding for its Engage Project, which aims to help African migrants and refugees feel "more connected" to Bradford

Asumani fled Congo after war broke out when he was a teenager. He left alone, separated from his family, some of whom he didn’t manage to reconnect with until years later – not knowing if they were dead or alive.

“My family went in different directions. When war broke out, everyone just got on a boat and fled,” he explains.

“This was 1996, there was no social media. People weren’t as connected. You were left in limbo, not knowing what happened to your family.

“Later, in the era of the internet, I discovered that my grandparents had moved to South Africa. It was joyful to know they were still alive. It brought me hope.”

Asumani fled to Tanzania, where he lived in a refugee camp akin to a “prison”.

“There were no human rights and you only had basic necessities,” he says.

“There was no prospect of higher education. And under Tanzanian law, refugees couldn’t work, so there were no jobs.

“You couldn’t leave. If you wanted to go somewhere over five miles away, you had to request special permission, which would take six months.

“There was nothing to do, it was like a cage.”

Asumani still remembers the moment he heard that, after 16 years, he would be leaving the camp and moving to Britain

“That was a big day in my life, man!”, he says with a beaming smile.

“I remember jumping and shouting with joy. I was safe, away from war and the camp. It was a dream come true.”

Asumani with BAC members Melat Melaku (left) and Mangala Hussein (right) after the organisation was named Best Community Development 2020-2022 by VCS

His first impressions of Bradford were positive.

“In every corner of Bradford you find different cultures, foods – it’s like the world lives in Bradford!”, Asumani laughs.

“That’s what makes Bradford what it is. It’s amazing.

Asumani and the BAC team promoting Bradford's Citizen Coin initiative

“I first lived in West Bowling, it was lovely. I could go into Bowling Park – which is an amazing park – when I needed to reflect.

“I thought a lot – I asked myself ‘so, what do I do with my life now?’

“There were language and cultural barriers and I didn’t know anybody, but because of the culture of supporting people promoted by the Council, I had courage.

“That’s what motivated me when I founded the BAC. Integration is a two-way process. The hosting community must support. On the other hand, refugees also need to encourage one another to succeed.

Asumani poses for a selfie with Melat as the BAC hosts a stall at The Broadway

“Some people have a negative view of refugees, but I think they lack information. If they knew more, they would change their views.

“No one would choose to flee their home, unless something happens which requires them to.

“But I was supported with everything in Bradford, and I appreciate that. That motivates me to support others.”

Asumani was helped by Horton Housing Association when looking for a job, but it proved difficult.

“My CV was missing something – UK work experience,” he says.

“I asked to volunteer with Horton. They opened their door and gave me my first job as a support worker.”

Asumani speaks at the launch of the BAC's Engage Project

It was the beginning of a career which has seen Asumani help people overcome many of the same hardships he experienced.

“I want to help refugees be productive members of society,” he says.

“Refugees go through a lot of trauma. How do we heal? We hope services can help us to move on and start life again.

“To heal is to continue to live.”