Breaking Barriers: How Selling Bread Gave Me Hope as an Asylum Seeking Woman
“Charities like breadwinners give young women their first taste of the UK”
In a world full of uncertainty and ups and downs, a glimmer of hope is all that a person needs. That glimmer of hope manifested in my life in the form of selling bread. My name is Sara and I’m here to share my journey navigating the hardships of seeking asylum in the UK and finding a window of hope in the process, by selling bread.
Picture this, a young woman seeking sanctuary in the UK alone, full of hope yet without the resources or the tools to engage and contribute, that was me. Landing in a foreign country with no certainties other than the need to seek protection. I had hopes and dreams that I thought were impossible to achieve in an alien country without a name or a family. I have always told myself during my time in the UK that I have to be realistic and seek stability over dreams. I wanted to be a journalist but my unconscious told me that I could not afford dreams, that was until a Google search landed me on the website of a charity that promised me that these dreams aren’t unachievable, even for me. That I would get to experience what it feels to dare to dream. That charity was Breadwinners, where young refugees and asylum seekers are supported throughout the process of navigating the workplace in the UK.
I signed up with hesitation and a pounding heart. I was promised to hear from them soon so I started daydreaming about how it would be to gain work experience in the UK. The questions flooded my mind and I couldn’t contain the what-ifs, not long after I was contacted and invited to start my riser programme. Walking through their doors felt like stepping into a sanctuary. The warmth of their welcome enveloped me, easing the weight of uncertainty that had settled on my shoulders. From the outset, it was clear that this was more than just an organisation - it was a community, a family united by a shared mission to uplift those in need.
They empower young women, one bread at a time. My life had a purpose when I started my Risers Programme as a Market Stall Assistant, I have what I can call a job that I attend regularly and meet new people every week. I receive weekly training sessions to sharpen my skills and expand my horizons.
But the greatest part was the personal training I received from one of the amazing mentors that participate in every programme with enthusiasm to share their knowledge. Breadwinners have the balance of giving and taking, recruiting quarterly young people in need of help and volunteers willing to offer their time to make a difference in a young person’s life, the volunteers in question are the mentors who are the most vital part of a Riser’s journey. I asked my mentor, Lowis, about her experience mentoring on the Risers Programme.
“It has been incredible to watch Sara grow in confidence and be so proactive about her future by taking full advantage of every opportunity we have found. I’m so proud of how engaged and productive about her dreams and goals she has been and I can’t wait to see her achieve all of her projects”
Amal serving customers at the market
As soon as I started the Risers Programme I received training on how to be a Market Stall Assistant, from the selling strategies, food safety and hygiene, to customer services. More than an ounce of wisdom was bestowed upon us as Risers, as we were introduced to many subjects in life that go beyond any experience we had. A common goal Breadwinners highlighted is to make young people job ready in the span of two months in the programme, providing us with many different tools such as CV writing, networking, interview skills, and public speaking. It was great to experience all of this in a short period of time and I know that many other young refugees and asylum seekers would get their life changed as the programme keeps on recurring all around the year.
“Breadwinners opened a lot of doors for me , they helped me discover and develop myself, in addition of making me integrate more with this new society and make a lot of great friends”
Finishing the programme was not the end, it is the beginning of my journey. Now I’m not hesitant in approaching any closed door with the intent and confidence of getting through. I’m an asylum seeker who has volunteering experience, a CV, and the confidence of what I want to do in life. All of this empowerment stemmed from being a Riser.
