Tofe Mohammed tells Newburytoday about his fleeing Ethiopia as a child and how he is now helping other asylum seekers in West Berkshire
AS a young teenager Tofe Mohammed was arrested after protesting at his school in Ethiopia.
It spurred him on to make the perilous journey away from a country where he felt he had no freedom of speech and that was ravaged by unrest.
He followed his dream of heading to London, home of his beloved Arsenal Football Club.
Now, six years later, Tofe is living in West Berkshire, studying for an NVQ in mechanics and mentoring other young migrants who arrive, scared and alone, on foreign shores hoping for a better life.
And, he was pleased to tell me, he has managed to see Arsenal play – in a victory over Chelsea.
The 20-year-old, who taught himself Arabic on the journey from Ethiopia, left his home in January 2016 and travelled through Sudan, Libya, Italy, Germany and Belgium, before finding himself in Calais.
“Everyone came by lorry,” he explained. “We hid ourselves in the lorry and if you pass the test you may get here but if not they take you out and you just try again.
“You just keep going; just keep trying and you may get in one day and then the dream is going to come true.
“I dreamed of coming to London, but I didn’t even know it was in the UK, I thought it was a country.
“I support Arsenal and my team is in London so I thought I have to go there.”
He arrived in the UK as a 14-year-old Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child (UASC) and was taken into the care of West Berkshire Council as part of a Government transfer scheme.
Once in Newbury Tofe was enrolled on a programme for asylum seeking children at Park House School, where he was part of the Hungerford FC academy.
Now, having improved his English hugely thanks to the others on the football team and to watching YouTube videos, he is studying at Newbury College.
He is also proving to be a huge support to other UASC who continue to arrive in the area.
Nathan Bray, a personal advisor on the leaving care team at West Berkshire Council, said Tofe was a key member of a community group that helps bring UASC together.
“Every time we get a new unaccompanied asylum seeking child he will mentor them, doing things like taking them to the mosque for the first time,” Nathan added.
“They may not be aware of other young people in Newbury in the same situation as them, they think they are on their own.
“Tofe really is integral to integrating them. He is now on a regional group too and also volunteers at a charity shop.
“He has really embraced all aspects of the community and we are really proud of him.”
But Tofe downplayed his role. “I have just been doing stuff to help people, especially young people so they know they are not alone," he said.
“I tell them that if they need anything they can call me and I can help them. I show them around the town and help them shop.
“I wasn’t getting it so that’s why I am focusing on it.”
Newbury College Principal, Iain Wolloff, said: “We are extremely proud of the progress Tofe has made on his full-time motor vehicle programme this year and the incredible work that he is doing to support others in the community.
“His story of overcoming adversity through hard work and his commitment to building a better future is inspirational.”
Dominic Boeck (Con, Aldermaston), West Berkshire Council’s executive member for children, young people and education said: “It is heartening to see the amazing progress that Tofe has made and to see him now helping others. It’s difficult to imagine what unaccompanied asylum seekers go through in order to simply not live in fear and I’m pleased that we’re able to support all our young people, no matter where they’re from, and help them to reach their full potential.”
Tofe said he plans to complete his education then “go forward and think about the future”. He is keen to work towards making life better for people in Ethiopia.
“I am living a good life here; nothing can stop me from doing or saying what I want," he said. “People here are helping me and it’s all positive.
“I am very happy.”
