A Day in the Life of an Asylum Seeker

A Day in the Life of an Asylum Seeker

Being an asylum seeker in America is complicated, and these women require help and compassion from others in order to have a chance at success. The following stories are fictionalized accounts of what the lives of asylum seekers receiving services at AWE look like from day to day. They are descriptions of how AWE has been able to make use of donations and volunteers in order to help the women of AWE get back on track.

*Disclaimer: The two asylum seekers described in these narratives, including names, are completely fictional. These narratives are based off of compilations of the experiences of many asylum seekers at AWE, and do not reflect any single asylum seeker. No identities of real asylum seekers have been used to preserve their privacy.*

*Asylee Seeker 1: Maria

Headline: Maria wakes up in an AWE provided housing unit. She prepares breakfast for her children and herself with food the center has given her.

In Depth Story: From the donations that AWE has received, AWE is able to provide safe housing for asylum seekers that they otherwise may not have been able to have. Since asylum seekers do not have arrangements made when they come to their hosting country, it is crucial that asylum seekers have  access to housing.

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Rima is making breakfast.

Maria is cooking for her children.

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Headline: She gets her kids off to school coming down to the center to receive help with her resume

In Depth Story: AWE recipients come from many different backgrounds career wise. These women are doctors, lawyers, professors, cooks, seamstresses, etc. They have many skills to offer from their home countries, and should be able to carry over that experience to America in the form of a well-crafted resume. Help chronicling their work history will remind them of everything they have accomplished, and give them perspective on what they want to accomplish in their futures.

Maria gets help with her resume.  

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Maria gets help with her resume.

Headline: After classes, Maria eats lunch with other AWE recipients.

In Depth Story: These women have endured traumatic circumstances that can make them feel isolated, alone, or like nobody else understands their struggle. Coming to a different country alone can be intimidating and lonely. With a daily lunch at the center, women can regain a sense of community and be social with one another. While their stories are different, they have all arrived seeking out the same resources. Furthermore, the women can share foods from their home country with one another and the volunteers. Allowing AWE to continue to host these lunches will continue to give women the sense of friendship they need.

Maria is having lunch with other AWE recipients

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Maria is having lunch with other AWE recipients.

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Headline: She concludes her day at the park with her children and another AWE family.

In Depth Story: AWE prides itself on being able to provide in-city field trips that allow for the women to get better acquainted with the city of Baltimore as well as take their minds off of the everyday stress of being asylum seekers. Trips include going to neighborhood parks, the Baltimore zoo, the Baltimore aquarium, and sporting events. These trips also help women bond with one another as well as form connections with others in the community at large. Donations help provide with organizing outings as well as providing transportation to and from events when needed.

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Maria is being active at the park with her children.

Maria is being active at the park with her children.

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*Asylee Seeker 2: Rima

Headline: Rima wakes up in her room provided to her by an AWE volunteer. She prepares breakfast alongside her volunteer host before they both head to the center.

In Depth Story: AWE provides housing to asylum seekers whenever they have the resources available to do so. However, because of limited housing resources not every asylum seeker is able to live in her own apartment. Volunteers help out by not only donating services while at the center, but also by hosting asylum seekers in their own homes. Since asylum seekers do not have arrangements made when they come to their hosting country, it is crucial that asylum seekers have access to housing.

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Maria is cooking for her children.

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Headline: Rima heads down to the AWE center with her volunteer host to take beginner English classes.

In Depth Story: AWE provides English classes for asylum seekers that range from a beginning skill level all the way up to advanced English. Since these women are coming from other countries, it is imperative for their success to have a grasp of the English language. Some women come to America knowing just a bit of English, while others come to America speaking fluent English. Making sure communication barriers of asylum seekers are broken down at all levels is a thing that English teaching volunteers at are striving for. 

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Rima is working to improve her language skills.

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Headline: After English class, Rima takes yoga class.  

In Depth Story: In addition to just educational classes, AWE provides other classes that allow for asylum seekers to have more of a sense of normalcy in America. AWE has volunteers come to offer their services for recreational classes with activities such as cooking, sewing, jewelry making and card making. Also, AWE will bring in masseuses from time to time to help them relieve whatever stress they have from the asylum seeking process.

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Rima is taking yoga classes.

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Headline: Rima ends the day with meeting with a lawyer working for AWE pro bono.

In Depth Story: AWE is able to provide services to asylum seekers that they otherwise might not have been able to access. One of the biggest hurdles asylum seekers will face is getting adequate legal representation in America. AWE is able to offer days where lawyers will offer services like filling out applications pro bono to asylum seekers.

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Rima looks to the inspiration wall to remind herself she is working towards reinventing her new life.