Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I want to tell you about someone who meant a great deal to me, and unfortunately lost his life recently. His name was Abdul, and I was first introduced to him through a charity in Norwich called
New Routes, who support refugees and asylum seekers in Norfolk. I was paired with Abdul in a befriending relationship, and before meeting him I was told by the project co-ordinator at the time,
Dee, that he had the biggest smile she had ever seen.

I was introduced to Abdul by Dee at a café in Norwich and we started what ended up being a 7-year friendship. Abdul and I would meet for coffee and walks – he would tell me about what he had been
up to, and we would discuss things he wasn’t sure about or needed some support with. I would also talk to him about my life and give him updates about my new nephew – he would always ask with a
big smile ‘and how is James?!’ 

As an asylum seeker life was not easy for Abdul. He was made to wait for over 7 years on his application for asylum – that’s 7 years of not being able to work, living in shared accommodation, and receiving less than £40 a week. This took its toll on him, as it does others, and I know there were a lot of dark times for him. He missed his family and so wanted to accomplish the things he came here to do but was prevented from doing for such a long time.

I have a lot of fond memories of Abdul. He had a way of finding - and describing - such joy in things that others may think of as being quite simple and unremarkable. For example, his morning routine
of putting BBC News on, having a cup of coffee and cigarette, and enjoying the view out of the window. One year he decided he wanted to write Christmas cards to people who had helped him, so
we went to the Card Factory and bought a box of cards and sat in the café and wrote them. He gave me one and a box of chocolates.

Abdul was 35 when he died. Life was just starting to open up for him after waiting such a long time for stability. He had recently acquired a flat and he was able to work (he was so happy to be working
for the Royal Mail last Christmas, and also passed his fork-lifting driver qualification), and with the possibility of an income and refugee status he would have been able to apply for his wife to join him
in the UK. Sadly, Abdul’s health had deteriorated a lot over the last year, and I know losing his best friend Ali a few months ago impacted him greatly.

In his memory I would like to raise some money for New Routes, the charity that I am very grateful to for introducing us. Abdul was very fond of the people who worked there, particularly Dee, and
was very grateful for the support he received. I know that Abdul would like the idea of money being raised for New Routes – a gift from him.

Rest in Peace Abdul. I’m sorry things weren’t as good as they should have been. As a human you deserved better, but I’m grateful for having met you and for what I learned from you.