Raena’s Story
Raena is an 18-year-old young woman originally from a small village in Eritrea. As a refugee, she is one of more than half a million people displaced from Eritrea by one of the most brutal dictatorships.
When Raena first arrived in the UK in July 2018, she was apprehensive about learning a new language and adapting to a culture different to her East African roots. Though she was excited for the chance to start anew, she felt scared and alone.
Soon after she arrived, she discovered Young Roots’ youth services and started attending our Young Women’s Group.
The group empowers girls and young women to confidently express themselves through activities such as dance, drama, creative writing, arts, and yoga, with the objective to upskill young women, develop their strengths, and build their self-belief. The Young Women’s Group provides a safe space for all.
Raena recalls when she first attended the group, she lacked confidence and so remained an observer. Despite this, she always volunteered to support Young Roots in different activities, consistently pushing herself out of her comfort zone to improve her English and make new friends.
Raena admits it took some time to get used to London living, but she now feels integrated in the hustle and bustle of Croydon, where she lives. Many things in her life have changed, not least that she is fluent in English and has learned more of the quirks of British culture.
With her internal drive and Young Roots by her side, Raena has developed a newfound sense of independence.
Now, Raena has become an indispensable force within Young Roots, often assisting staff and volunteers by explaining and leading games.
In 2020, Raena participated in Young Roots’ Buddy project. She met with young people who had just arrived in the UK and helped them navigate this new environment and introduced them to Young Roots’ support and activities, sharing her own experiences.
As a Young Roots’ Young Leader, she enjoyed the opportunity to interview volunteers and staff and learn more about what an interview looks like, what questions she might be asked, and how to answer them in the future.
Now that Raena is 18, she hopes - with the valuable skills and experience gained with Young Roots, and the knowledge acquired through her studies - she can establish a secure future for herself, one in which she is free to live her life to the full.
She remains hopeful for the future and feels secure with Young Roots by her side. As she puts it herself: “Young Roots feels like home”.
While this is a true story, names have been changed to protect the young person.