Hope Beyond Borders: Rosemary's Immigration Journey
Mary, a 37-year-old mother of four, reached out to Tulia after her solicitor referred her in February 2020 during a tumultuous period marked by low mental health and physical struggles following her separation from her partner. Faced with the challenges of single motherhood amidst the pandemic, she was living in a cramped situation with her three children in the UK, while one child lives in Zimbabwe. Tulia provided crucial assistance, including legal guidance, counselling, and food aid during Christmas, helping her regain hope and self-esteem. Rosemary emphasized that this support transformed her life, allowing her to envision a future for herself and her children, including aspirations to further her education and help others in similar predicaments. Currently awaiting a decision from the Home Office and living in a hotel, she highly recommends the service, noting that she has not identified any areas for improvement.
How did you first hear about Tulia?
From my solicitor in February 2020.
What was your situation like before?
My mental health was really low and even physically I was struggling after this man left me with the kids. Thing had been so bad and to assist me through the separation, she referred me to counselling and assisted me during Christmas with money and food parcels.
I needed support and to rebuild my self-esteem. When you don’t have your extended family around you to look out for you it can be so hard.
It was such a weird coincidence that this guy left just as the pandemic was beginning. The social services tried to help, because I was effectively left in a room with my children –all of us sleeping in the same room, in the corner. I have three children living with me in the UK, one child lives in Zimbabwe.
What steps did Tulia take with your situation?
She called on my behalf, worked with me on my legal papers, for me to even be where I am in this application is because of the help Rumbi gave me. She facilitated in giving me the Christmas hamper at that time too, and according to her they haven’t stopped delivering those hampers to people who need it—Tulia’s support services are ongoing to so many others, and it makes me want to help others in the same situation as me.
What improvements or highlights have there been?
Tulia give you hope and you’re never the same person after them. I was truly hopeless, you know an abuser will make you think that there’s no one else there, and that you’re completely alone and isolated or just waiting to die. Removing yourself and your children out of an abusive can be so physically draining—people can develop indigestion conditions, hypertension, fatigue. Your entire personhood will never be the same.
I can promise you now that there’s life, there’s even a chance to fall in love again, to build a life outside of them again.
The life I was living with my ex-husband didn’t allow me to improve myself, you didn’t get to go to school. So, now I would like to improve my education and just to be someone. I want to help so many others in the same situation as me.
I am currently awaiting a decision from the Home Office on our status and living in a hotel with my 3 children, praying for our breakthrough.
Would you recommend the service to others?
Definitely.
In which ways could Tulia’s services improve?
I haven’t seen anything that actually needs improvement.
Please note: The names and identifying details of the clients featured in these testimonials have been anonymized to protect their privacy and confidentiality.
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