Feelings about my arrival and stay at Kongsberg reception center.

Thoughts from Ibn S. A. (26.01.2010), asylumnseeker living in Kongsberg

Long time after my arrival to the reception center, I did not know anything about what is going to happen to me. I slept with my eyes wide open because I did not know the other persons I shared house with. Were they good or bad people? I did not know, even though we come from the same country. All humans are different, and I was afraid of everyone.

Months passed by until we finally got to know each other. Who were these persons now living with me, I wondered. Now I know better. I know who they are by names, I know what part of Somalia they come from, I know a little about their history. But that’s all. I sleep better at night now, but my days always start with the same question: ”What will happen to me today?” My brain is totally out of focus, I have to do something about my case! I do not know anything about my future and what will become of me in the end.

I called some friends of mine some days ago, and asked them about the system here in Norway. They gave me some positive but also some negative answers. Since I’m in a reception center here in Norway, I might just as well get a negative answer from the Government, and that means that I have to og back home. Home to what, I wonder…

I have to keep hope up, hope for a positive answer. Insha Allah! What else is there for me, other than hoping for a positive outcome of my case, so I can stay in Norway, create a new future.

One of m friends live here in Kongsberg now with his family. When he lived in another reception center he had to open a hatch in the wall if he needed to talk to the employees. The rest you know, Henri……. The reception center here in Kongsberg has a much better system. We live free, in normal houses. We can go out, visit friends, talk with people, have a walk in the town. We can come to you to talk in your office. We are all humans, not animals! That is something the Norwegian Government should think about.

I have lived here more than one year now. Your office (Hero) helps us allot. There are many o fus who do not think so, you know, but I really do! But maybe – if your office can be even better talking to us – like you are doing now, I believe that can help many more of us inmates. We need to be listened to, to express our feelings and maybe our despair. I know that can be difficult, I am only one, and you have many more persons and houses to tend to. But now I see that you really try to help us, and it gives me a good feeling.

(Later this winter):

My life has changed, I got a positive answer from the Government, I thank Allah for this! Finally my life can start again, it’s like being reborn! Now I wait to see which municipality will accept me. In the meantime I attend Norwegian course at Fredheim school. That helps me allot, I learn Norwegian so that I can communicate with people. There are many nice teachers there, and that make me learn faster. I’m more motivated now! I hope I can continue to stay here in Kongsberg. I long for my wife to come (she still is in Somalia). But first I have to become integrated in the Norwegian society and get an education. Life is ahead of me now, and finally I’m happy!

Interviewer:

Henri Filmand Komegne