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By Wendy Miller

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IT is an unremarkable road in a Glasgow community but to the locals Elderpark Street in Govan is known as the United Nations.

Asylum seekers, refugees and people who have been born and bred there live cheek by jowl in the tenements. And all of them consider it home.

Many who came seeking refuge from the troubles of their homelands elect to stay on in the area - if and when they are finally given leave to remain - decisions that are reached at the nearby Brand Street immigration centre.

For the locals the diverse mix of ethnic minorities has brought huge social and cultural change.

But in the seven years since asylum seekers began arriving in Glasgow, Govan has learned to adapt - and embrace the new cultures.

Yesterday the Evening Times told how the city has more than 5000 asylum seekers - concentrated in five communities, including Govan which has around 400.

The city has been praised for leading the way in welcoming the families - from countries like Pakistan, Iran, Iraq and Somalia - who have fled war and torture. And children especially have integrated into the city’s schools, making friends and doing well in class.

Nowhere are the signs of integration more apparent than in Govan.

Most recently, an African hairdressers and an African food shop arrived on Govan Road.

Govan residents are also flocking to weekly African dance and percussion workshops at the Pierce Institute while a recycled jewellery-making class is attracting a multi-racial mix of women from all walks of life.

Plans are also in the pipeline to create Govan’s first-ever multi-national recipe book.

Projects like this are helping unite different strands of this historic South Side community from young and old to black and white.

“I’ve lived in Govan all my life and I’ve seen a lot of positive changes in recent years,” said Sandy Black, a member of Govan Integration Network.

“You walk around now and you see the changes. Asylum seekers and immigrants have made a real contribution here because they want to get involved in voluntary work and community projects.”

Every Thursday a community drop-in is held at the Jubilee Social Centre in Elderpark Street - run by Nigerian minister Reverend Michael Angley Ogwuche.

There dedicated community workers talk through housing and welfare concerns with asylum seekers, immigrants and Govan locals.

Reverend Ogwuche said: “Govan seems to be the citadel of immigration. It’s a great community; everyone knows each other here. We have people from Ghana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, Iraq.”

Angela Gardiner, community inclusion co-ordinator for Govan Housing Association, added: “Govan has always been a very diverse community and even more so now.

“It’s a community that seems to attract a real mix of Scots and ethnic minorities. It’s lovely to walk over to Govan Cross and see all these beautiful African women together with Asian women in their saris.

“Govan has always been a place of migration. We gave Britain its first Muslim MP in Mohammad Sarwar.”

Angela added: “The drop-in has a social function as the recycled jewellery making class is held here.

“Initially it was for ethnic minorities only but we’ve widened it out to the whole community now. The Citizens’ Advice is based here too and it really is a great meeting place.

“As well as the recycled jewellery making we also run a knitting bee. These events are funded by the Scottish Refugee Integration Fund and I really believe they help reduce community tensions and make asylum seekers and immigrants feel part of their community.”

The new African hairdressers, Amina Hair, is run by 23-year-old Amina Contech, originally from Sierra Leone.

She said: “I only opened the shop a few weeks ago but it’s starting to pick up. I want this shop to bring together people from all nationalities in Govan.

“African women come to get products in their hair because afros are so hard to comb. Whereas Scottish women want their hair to be more like ours!”

The jewellery-making class is run by Glasgow art student Tess McCafferty who said: “I’ve found I can just show them what to do. In this way the class is helping break down language barriers.”

From Bennie cake from Sierra Leone to noodles from Nigeria, Akin Obafemi has it all in Akin Precious Foods of Africa.

Mr Obafemi, 54, said: “I opened the shop nine months ago and it’s still slow but the way I see it, I’m providing a service not trying to make a fortune. I get a lot of Scots customers.”

Publication date 09/10/07
Evening Times

MUM-OF-THREE Odette Mitanga came to Govan a year ago after her partner was killed by government officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Her children, aged 11, seven and five, are all pupils at St Xavier’s Primary.

After months of uncertainty Odette and the kids have finally been given leave to remain in Britain.

“I’m very, very happy and relieved too,” she said: “I am diabetic and I was very stressed waiting for the Home Office decision. It was making me unwell.”

The future now seems so much brighter.

Odette, 23, said: “I have two boys and a girl. They are all really enjoying school and performing well too. We will stay on in Govan because we like it here.

“Now I can work and pay taxes.”

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/opinion/display.var.1745404.0.meet_glasgows_own_united_nations.php

Talut Ahmad, 17, is a shining example of an asylum seeker integrating into Glasgow life and excelling at school.

He won eight end-of-term prizes at Castlemilk High, including the Head Teacher’s Award for Excellence, the Plato IT prize and the Weir’s computing award, and in August learned he had gained four As and a B in his Highers.

His head teacher described him as a fantastic ambassador for his school.

Talut is now studying chemical engineering at Strathclyde University after a change in rules allowed asylum youngsters to access higher education.

He has called Croftfoot home for six years but his family is still awaiting news on its asylum claim.

Talut, who has a sister Sara, 21, said: “I am proud. I promised my dad I would work my hardest and I have done so.”

His father Mahmood, 51, an accountant who is not allowed to work in Scotland, said: “Both my children are very high achievers. They love Scotland and have a great contribution to make here. But it is difficult for them.”

Mr Ahmad and his wife and family fled Lahore, the capital of Pakistan, in 2000 after being persecuted over their faith.

Timesfile
Many of Glasgow’s 5230 asylum seekers live in one of five communities. Around 1500 are in Sighthill, 400 in Govan, while Shawbridge, Govanhill and Kingsway each house around 350. The rest live scattered in other communities.

Around 4000 live in supported council flats, the remainder in YMCA or Angel Group accommodation.

The asylum seekers - people who have left their country of origin, applied for asylum in another country and are awaiting a decision - come from 50 countries.

The biggest groups are from Pakistan (541 adults and children in total), Democratic Republic of Congo (442), Turkey (395), Somalia (367), Iran (340), Sri Lanka (236), Afghanistan (233) and Iraq (207).

Statistics show there are 1773 asylum pupils in primaries and secondaries across the city, accounting for just below 2% of the total pupils.

There are also 585 young refugees - people whose asylum bid has been successful, having proved they face persecution back home - in Glasgow schools.

Figures on the numbers of adult refugees living in Glasgow are not available, but it is estimated there are around 4000 in Scotland.

Around 10-15% of asylum seekers are granted a positive decision first time and a further 20% on appeal.

By Wendy Miller

SEVEN years ago some Glaswegians were furious when asylum seekers were moved into their communities.

Today they are still angry - but it is no longer the fact families from around the world are living next door to them that fuels their outrage.

It is because of the authorities’ attempts to evict the people who have become their friends and neighbours.

Some have gone to great lengths to support the asylum seekers’ fight to stay in the city.

The change in attitudes has been remarkable, says John Donaldson, the council’s head of immigration and emergency planning.

He says: “When we first started supporting asylum seekers in Glasgow we used to get letters from Mr Angry’ saying: How dare you house these people in our city? How dare you let them use our services?

“People had this idea their taxes were paying for services used by asylum seekers, which is not true.

“So much has changed since then. These days we get letters from Glaswegians saying How dare you refuse to let these families stay?’ “Asylum seekers are now their friends and neighbours. Glasgow has responded very well to the change and we should be proud of that.

“The city has always been the friendly face of Scotland. We have a history of welcoming new people- the Irish during the potato famine, the Italians after that, and so on.

“Can you imagine Glasgow now without its Asian restaurants?”

Asylum seekers are among the world’s most vulnerable people, often fleeing civil war, torture and oppression.

In 2000 the Home Office contract was signed and Glasgow is still the only Scottish local authority to offer refuge to these desperate families.

The city now has 5230 asylum seekers living mostly in five communities - Govan; Shawbridge in Pollokshaws; and Govanhill, all in the South Side; Kingsway in Scotstoun; and Sighthill, both in the north of the city.

Mr Donaldson added: “Other local authorities look to Glasgow for guidance. The city is setting the standard.”

There are many reasons for the change in heart of Glasgow people, not least is which that many children now share a classroom with asylum seeking youngsters. School places are sourced for every asylum-seeking child, with all costs met by the Scottish Government.

The young asylum seekers quickly adapt to new schools and surroundings and often pick up English faster than their parents.

Some have been here up to seven years, a huge chunk of their short lives, and know nowhere else as home.

Achieving educational or sporting success, they can also serve as positive role models for their Glasgow peers.

Support services, for asylum seekers and local people, have also improved.

Initially, translation and language services and efforts to prepare residents for welcoming the visitors into their communities were thought to be inadequate, fuelling division and conflict.

Sighthill still houses the biggest single concentration of asylum seekers and Turkish man Firsat Dag was murdered in August 2001 in an unprovoked attack.

Today, racially-motivated crime remains an issue.

Sighthill recorded 34 racist crimes in 2005-06, the highest total of any Strathclyde Police beat. But anti-racism campaigners said the real figure was much higher.

Racial tensions have also been blamed for violence on the streets of Govanhill.

But much more is now being done to promote integration.

Framework For Dialogue groups have been set up to ensure indigenous residents get their say.

Mr Donaldson said: “I am not saying there have not been any tensions or problems but, generally, we have good community relations in Glasgow. We have not had any of the problems that some parts of England have experienced.”

On arrival in Glasgow the families are met by support staff who organise food, as well as registering them with GPs.

Adult asylum seekers face a number of constraints upon their day-to-day lives.

They are required to sign on’ at Brand Street immigration centre in Govan once a week.

It is during these visits some have been arrested and detained.

They must feed and clothe themselves and their families on Income Support payments that are 70% of normal payments.

Home Office rules ban asylum seekers from working until they are given leave to remain, a process that can take from six months to six years.

Mr Donaldson says: “Some asylum seekers who come to Glasgow are doctors or architects. They want to work, they are proud people, they have a status in their country. But when they come here they are not allowed to work.

“If people who have been here for a long time, who are likely to stay and have shown no problems in their community, could be involved in some sort of training programme it would be much better.”

Sally Daghlian, chief executive of the Scottish Refugee Council, said: “According to recent research, Glasgow gives the warmest welcome to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.

“Across the country, Scots, refugees and asylum seekers are living and learning alongside each other, working for better communities and futures for their children.

“People are recognising what they have in common, instead of concentrating on what sets them apart. This is what real integration is about and Scotland should be proud of its achievements.”

Publication date 08/10/07