Helen Bamber 1925 – 2014

August 22, 2014

It seems appropriate that GARAS should acknowledge the death of Helen Bamber and all she strove to do throughout her life.

In 1945 she was one of those who went into Bergen-Belsen, where she worked to help alleviate the suffering of those survivors in the concentration camp.

She went on to be involved in the establishing part of Amnesty International, to found the Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture and latterly to start the Helen Bamber Foundation. Her lifelong commitment to helping those who have suffered at the hands of fellow human beings has been extraordinary and we salute her passing.

In 2009, we were privileged to hearing her speak at an event in Bristol and we came away inspired by her and all she had achieved and was continuing to do at a time when many of us would be ready to retire quietly and enjoy a well deserved rest.

The following has been stated by ILPA:
—

You will join with colleagues at the Helen Bamber Foundation and those working for human rights, for refugees and to help survivors of human rights abuses, many of them survivors themselves, in mourning Helen Bamber OBE and acknowledging the incredible gifts she gave tirelessly to all whose lives she touched. So many of us have been helped and inspired by her and seen the changes her work wrought in our clients’ lives. Her glamour and wit also brightened our world. An absolutely extraordinary woman has left us, but left us richer for the gifts she shared.

Obituary on Helen Bamber Foundation Website: http://www.helenbamber.org/

Memorial Fund https://www.justgiving.com/HelenBamberMemorialFund/

There is also an article on the BBC:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28890331

Lent Challenge

February 21, 2014

If you have had enough of ‘giving something up for Lent’ such as chocolate or alcohol and fancy doing something different, we have just the thing for you!  Why not take up the challenge of living on Asylum Support rates for the period of Lent this year?  (From Wednesday 5th March, to Saturday 19th April 2014.)  Asylum seekers who rely on support from the Home Office whilst their cases are being considered receive the following money per week:

A single person aged over 18 – £36.62

A couple (eg married couple/ in civil partnership) – £72.52

Lone parent aged 18 or over – £43.94

Teenager aged at least 16 but under 18 – £39.80

Child aged under 16 – £52.96

So, you can use this list to work out your or your family’s entitlement and set yourself a weekly budget.  Please note that this does not include rents, utilities or council tax, so you don’t have to factor in these costs.  But this does include/ you would need to use this money to pay for use of phones, food, clothing, toiletries and transport.  If you give this a go, why not donate the money you have saved to GARAS?  Cheques made payable to GARAS and can be sent to the office.  Several of us here have done this over the past few years.  It is a sobering experience and can be very thought provoking and insightful, particularly if you are used to having income at your disposal.

International Migrants’ Day

December 19, 2013

International Migrants’ Day

One day late, but yesterday was International Migrants’ Day.  Here’s a little video to watch….

Hunger striker removed.

November 29, 2013

We are deeply distressed to read this news.

An erosion of human rights and human dignity in the UK today.

Film Screening

August 6, 2013

The BAFTA nominated feature film “I Am Nasrine,” will be screening at the Gloucester Guildhall on August 13th and 14th. Please find the screening info as well as a short bio about the film below. Thank in advance for all of your help.

August 13th – Gloucester Guildhall @ 7:45 PM
August 14th – Gloucester Guildhall @ 2:00 PM

Tickets can be purchased at http://iamnasrine.com/screenings

I Am Nasrine: A film about love, finding oneself and the eternal search for home.

When you change where you are do you change who you are? I Am Nasrine is an intimate journey of self-discovery and ultimately reveals the unfolding of a soul. Set in modern day Tehran, and the UK, the film follows the paths of Nasrine and Ali, sister and brother in a comfortable, middle class Iranian home. When Nasrine has a run-in with the police, the punishment is more than she bargained for. At her father’s bidding, Nasrine and Ali set out for the UK, torn about leaving behind their home and all that they know, embarking on a reluctant exile. Still, for Nasrine, there is undeniable excitement about the prospect of starting a new life in the West, and an eagerness for its promise of new freedoms. Arriving in Britain, their fate and their future are far from certain. Nasrine is quick to settle into her new life, making friends, forming bonds, including Nichole from the gypsy/travelers community. All the while her brother Ali struggles with the realities of life in the UK and his awakening sexuality. Then comes 9/11. Their parents will be unable to join them in Britain, leaving them quite alone. Things spiral further out of control when an unimaginable tragedy occurs. Nasrine must discover an incredible courage within her to accept what fate has dealt her; discovering that the end of her journey is really just the beginning. Can hope, simple untainted hope, overcome the darkest of tragedies? I Am Nasrine explores these questions and more, and offers answers that are sure to surprise.

I Am Nasrine Trailer: www.tinyurl.com/iamnasrine

I Am Nasrine Audience Response Feedback: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uSMR6UVA3U&feature=youtu.be

I Am Nasrine Facebook page: www.facebook.com/iamnasrine

I Am Nasrine website : www.iamnasrine.com