“I feel powerful” - Asiyo's story
Recently, our friends at IMIX, a media outlet spreading positive stories about migration, chatted to Asiyo, one of our Online Sales Representatives. Asiyo’s progression has been phenomenal. She joined us on our Risers work experience programme in January 2020, then progressed to become a Market Manager, and is now a Sales Representative! Enjoy her conversation with IMIX below.
Asiyo on her first day of work in an office!
Hi Asiyo, so why did you want to join Breadwinners?
“When I started there I was too shy to speak. If I started to speak to people, I could not say any words. I am now starting to feel more confident.”
What was difficult about finding a job?
”When you come to a new country, you don't have family, you don't have friends, it really is very hard. You don't know what to ask people, and even if you try to speak to people they don’t understand sometimes.”
“I feel powerful. Now I’m training other people. Sometimes you see someone like you and they say, ‘I’m scared and I cannot do this.’ And then you tell them your story and then they say ‘Oh, then if you are working here, I can be like you.”
What do you like about Breadwinners?
“I’ve learnt everything at Breadwinners. When I started, I didn’t know customer service, or how to speak with customers when they are coming in. But they didn’t say, “You don't know anything, leave us.” They said, “Come on, we will teach you.”’
”At the time, I didn’t have any status or right to work, but they said you can start their work experience programme. And then maybe later when you get your status, you can start to work with us. And then I got my right to work, and I was so happy.”
“When you come to a new country, you don’t have family, you don’t have friends, it really is very hard. Now I’m learning so many things, improving my English and my confidence.”
Asiyo at Chelsea Market
What’s it like working as a market manager?
”I’m enjoying it a lot because I’m learning so many things, and improving my English, my confidence.‘ I was scared [at first] because at the time I was worried that my English is poor and if I made a mistake, maybe people would say, “You don't know anything. Oh, you are not good enough for us.”
”Now if I make a mistake, I don’t mind. I will improve it.”
What is it like training other Risers?
“I feel powerful. Now I’m training other people. Sometimes you see another person like you and they say, ‘I'm scared and I cannot do this.’ And then you tell them your story and then they say ‘Oh, then if you are working here, I can be like you.’
“I’m enjoying it a lot because I’m learning so many things, and improving my English, my confidence.”
Congratulations on everything you have achieved Asiyo! Thanks IMIX for taking the time to chat to us.