From Sudan to the UK: A Journey of Hope and Struggle

By Nasour Nasour (FS Level 1)

It was a dark time in Sudan. The war had consumed everything—the peace, the joy, the future. In Khartoum, the capital, my younger brother and I felt the weight of the world on our shoulders. We had heard stories of families torn apart, lives destroyed, and everything we knew becoming unrecognisable. Our home had been reduced to nothing more than a place of fear, a reminder that there was no future left for us in Sudan.

We decided to escape, but it was not a decision made lightly. The thought of leaving our family, our friends, and everything familiar was gut-wrenching. However, we knew we had no choice if we wanted to survive. The journey ahead was terrifying, filled with uncertainty and danger, but the hope for a better life—away from the war—pushed us forward.

Leaving Khartoum

Our journey began in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. The streets, once bustling with life, now appeared ghostly, filled with the echoes of gunfire and the constant hum of unrest. My brother and I packed our bags with whatever little we could carry—mostly clothes and a few essentials. We didn't know where we would go, but we knew we had to leave, and we had to do so quickly.

We journeyed westward, toward the border of Sudan. Each step felt like we were walking into the unknown. There were no guarantees of safety, no promises that we would make it through. We encountered numerous checkpoints, and with each one, the fear of being caught, detained, or even killed grew stronger. Yet somehow, we kept moving, one foot in front of the other.

Getting into Chad

Crossing into Chad was our first major hurdle. The situation in western Sudan's Darfur deteriorated endlessly before us, presenting an unforgiving landscape filled with nothing but gunfire and civil war. We had to walk for two days, relying on very little food and water. There were moments when we didn’t think we would make it. But somehow, we managed.

In Chad, we found temporary shelter in a refugee camp. It wasn’t much, but it was safe. For a moment, we allowed ourselves to rest and regain our strength. However, we knew that this was only the beginning of a much longer journey.

Through Niger and Algeria

From Chad, we moved into Niger, another country marked by poverty and instability. The journey was long and treacherous, but we had no other choice. We crossed arid landscapes, barren deserts, and small villages where we barely found any food or water. Each day presented an endless struggle, but we persevered, reminding ourselves that we couldn’t give up.

After leaving Niger, we entered Algeria, a place where we hoped to find a way out of Africa. But even here, the journey was far from easy. We were constantly at the mercy of smugglers and human traffickers, people who didn’t care about our well-being, only their profits. The fear never left us, but the hope of reaching a better life kept us moving.

Tunisia and the Mediterranean

Finally, after weeks of hardship, we arrived in Tunisia. From here, we knew we had to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. We managed to find a small, rickety boat, barely fit for the treacherous waters we were about to cross. But we had no choice. We boarded the boat with dozens of other people, most of them desperate for a new life, just like us.

The journey across the Mediterranean was one of the most harrowing experiences of my life. The boat was overcrowded, the sea was rough, and we didn’t know if we would survive the trip. Waves crashed against the boat, and the fear of sinking and drowning was a constant presence. But somehow, we made it. We reached Italy, a place that felt like a distant dream— the beginning of a new chapter.

From Italy to France

From Italy, we travelled on foot through the mountainous and forested borders into France. The journey was exhausting, the terrain difficult, and the cold unbearable. We had no money, no proper food, and no guarantee of safety. Every border crossing was a gamble. We had to move quickly, hiding from authorities and seeking refuge wherever we could.

Eventually, we made it to France, where we believed we were closer to a better life and stability. However, crossing the Channel to the UK was yet another hurdle. We found a small boat, similar to the one we had used to cross the Mediterranean, and braved the waters once again. The Channel, cold and unforgiving, felt like the final test.

Arriving in the UK

When we finally reached the UK, we were exhausted, terrified, and filled with hope. The UK represented freedom, a place where we could rebuild our lives, free from the horrors of war and the struggles of our journey. However, as much as we had hoped for a fresh start, the reality was far more challenging than we had anticipated.

The struggle for documents and the legal right to stay has been a constant burden. Each day feels like an uphill battle, filled with paperwork, bureaucracy, and uncertainty. The hope that drove me to escape Sudan now seems like a distant memory as I confront the harsh reality of trying to prove my right to live here.

A Bitter Struggle

Despite everything we have been through, I find myself feeling trapped, stuck in a system that seems impossible to navigate. My younger brother and I have made it this far, but the fight isn’t over. Every day, I struggle with the weight of the past, the trauma of the journey, and the frustration of trying to build a life in a country that promises so much yet offers so little.

I came to the UK searching for a better life, for peace, for stability. But what I found instead was a system that has made me feel invisible, one that has rendered my hopes futile. I often feel depressed, haunted by the memories of the journey and the uncertainty of what the future holds.

Nevertheless, I am not giving up. I can’t. My brother and I survived a journey that many didn’t. We have made it this far, and we will keep fighting, even if the road ahead is uncertain. Currently, I’m studying at Manchester College Wythenshawe, while my younger brother attends secondary school at Dixson Brookland Academy. We live in a permanent residence, Brittania Country House.

This is my story, one of hope, of survival and of the struggle for a better life. The journey from Sudan to the UK was dangerous and painful, but it was also filled with moments of strength, determination, and resilience. And no matter how difficult the future may seem, I will continue to fight for a life that is better than the one we left behind.