Tamil Stories

'Sometimes in the markets and shops, friends do help me in buying things and collecting the correct change and inquiries about transport and roads. My children who are learning English at school are also helping me sometimes.' (Tamil woman).

'Normally I do get free service from my community members. Especially on immigration matters I seek help of an interpreter. To understand local municipal pamphlets I seek translators help free of charge from my community group.' (Tamil man)

'A 42-year-old Tamil and his wife came to Britain in 1989. At home he had had a senior job as an engineer, having got a degree at a Sri Lankan university. He got a job immediately as a technician in an engineering firm. He was there for over two years before being made redundant. He has now been unemployed for ten months, but has been doing Employment Training. Getting a job is not easy because his English is not quite fluent.'

'Although I get along well with the community in this country, the fact that I came to this country when I was much older, that makes all the difference. If I was very young person I would have become accustomed to this much more. Most of my life I have spent in Sri Lanka; all my relatives are there.' (Tamil man)

Stories collected by S Visahan as part of a Home Office Research Study entitled 'The Settlement of Refugees in Britain'; 1995.