Abdullah and Abdisa’s story - finding community and friendship in Victoria Park
In Victoria Park, Abdullah and Abdisa have been running the Breadwinners stall, where they sell artisan bread, side by side with a diverse range of food traders. Their story has been featured in UNHCR’s ‘A Great British Welcome’ series. It explores how their work with Breadwinners has increased their involvement in the community, and resulted in them becoming important members of the local scene. Abdullah remarks, "we have mostly regular customers. And so many dogs!". Abdisa agrees, emphasising how they've become integral to their community.
Abdullah is training Abdisa to take over the stall from him. Through the Breadwinners programme participants gain training, mentoring and work experience, and are given the responsibility of running the market stall as Market Stall Manager. As Berenice, the programme manager, explained, "you have to manage things from early morning until the end of the day. No one is telling you what to do, you feel that it is you who has to do the job." This helps the participants to increase their confidence, and Abdullah himself acknowledges how this responsibility has made him more confident in various aspects of life.
“When I was in the volunteer training programme [Risers], talking with customers, I was a bit shy to explain myself. Once I came to Victoria Park and had to take on the whole responsibility and talk with customers, I can’t just say nothing! Day by day I learn, and at college, with my friends, this has made me more confident.”
Abdullah's participation in all three Breadwinners programmes has prepared him for exciting new things. “When I was in the volunteer training programme, talking with customers, I was a bit shy to explain myself,” he recalls. “Once I came to Victoria Park and had to take on the whole responsibility and talk with customers, I can’t just say nothing! Day by day I learn, and at college, with my friends, this has made me more confident.” As he readies himself for a new job as a baker in East London, he is passing management of the stall in Victoria Park to Abdisa, who would soon be running it by himself.
Berenice explains that the programme recognises the importance of treating individuals as unique, with their own ambitions, challenges, and dreams. The programme achieves this through close personal attention and support, often facilitated by volunteer mentors.
Abdullah's mentor, Mathilda, has been with him from the beginning. She provides guidance on various aspects, from job applications and budgeting to language skills and navigating the nuances of daily life in the UK. Mentors like Mathilda play a pivotal role in helping individuals integrate into their new community, explore their interests, and achieve personal growth.
The market stall is not only an opportunity for work experience and finding community, but is also about forming relationships. When asked about working with Abdullah, Abdisa says “he gets me”.
Abdullah and Abdisa's story is a testament to the power of programmes like Breadwinners in offering hope, empowerment, and a brighter future. It is a reminder of the importance of supporting people like Abdullah and Abdisa to rebuild their lives and contribute to the communities they become a part of.
To read more about their story, read the article on UNHCR’s website: