My Story

By Marie  Agathe (FS Level 1)

My Journey to the UK: A Tale of Expectations and Deception

My journey began in Quatre Bornes, Mauritius, 18 years ago. I left home with my four-year-old granddaughter, Tesha, at 4 am because we needed to be at the airport two hours before boarding the plane. At the airport, we said goodbye to my loved ones, knowing we might not see each other again. Everything went well at the airport, but we arrived a bit early, giving us time to visit the duty-free shops. It was so amazing for Tesha and me, experiencing a big plane and travelling to a new and different country for the first time. It was also sad leaving our beautiful island behind, but for me, it was a relief. I was leaving behind 24 years of suffering from domestic violence at the hands of someone who was supposed to love me. For me, leaving meant a new life and a fresh start.

Time to board the plane brought tears to my eyes; Tesha was so excited to reunite with her mum. My journey to the UK was filled with excitement and anticipation; my dream was to reunite and be close to my four daughters (Claudia, Christilla, Manuella, and Marie Lia) and my grandchildren. When I finally arrived at Manchester Airport, I saw my daughter and son-in-law waiting for us. At my daughter’s home, everybody was there waiting to see Tesha and me. As we always said, "long time no see’, everybody was happy and had tears of joy.

My first impression of the UK focused on the weather and the town of Wythenshawe, which felt both modern and traditional at the same time. The people in Wythenshawe were very polite and friendly. The public transport was efficient and reliable, but I was struck by the fact that you must wave for the bus at the bus stop, and you need to be ready before gett

ing off the bus. Additionally, I was impressed by the diversity and culture of the population, as well as the history of this country.

As I begin to settle into my new life in the UK, my expectations are high. I had envisioned myself having a job or taking some relevant courses because I was sure that here in the UK, I would achieve things I could not imagine in Mauritius. Even in my forties, I could make it happen. But first, I had to enjoy my six-month visa until I received my legal status. I have visited other cities and towns, and I have been living with friends who have helped me discover other beautiful places and cultures, enjoying my time. I expect many things to happen, and my dreams of having a job and my own accommodation will come true because I value my independence. As my daughters have their own families, finding a place for me to live would be beneficial. 

However, as time went on, I began to realise that my expectations were not entirely aligned with the reality of my life in the UK. While I had some experiences and met some amazing people, I also faced challenges that I had not anticipated. First, the weather was often cold and rainy, unlike the sunny and hot weather on my beloved island, Mauritius. Additionally, the cost of living became so high that it made everything difficult.

My disappointment and disillusionment with life in the UK grew, and I realised that the grass is not always greener on the other side. My ordeal began with the first refusal of my legal status. I went through four appeals, each resulting in a rejection, losing a large amount of money on applications, solicitors, and lawyers. Four years after arriving in the UK and enduring many struggles, I ended up at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal and Detention Centre in Bedfordshire, near Luton Airport, where flights are available for deportees. I was locked up for nearly four months, which was not easy at my age, nearly fifty-one, and given my physical health issues. This was not a good place or paradise; my first two weeks at the detention centre were a nightmare as I tried to find my place in this large environment filled with many nationalities. There, you are treated like a prisoner; the officers do not call you by your name but by numbers. Healthcare is poor, and one must accept their rules. Many countries have detainees there. There are four wings: one for couples with children, and the others for all detainees. Sometimes you encounter rude people, especially in groups. The sad thing is that I went without food for a week just because I forgot to book my dinner and supper on the machine; we had to book our food every Friday to ensure we received meals for the entire week. We shared a room with one other person. I still remember my room number, Room 112. Coincidentally, my classroom number at Manchester College last year was also 112. We had to be in our rooms at 9 o'clock, with night inspections at 11 o'clock every day, and morning inspections at 5 o'clock when they counted us. They just opened our room without asking. Morning tea was served at 8 o'clock, and after that, we would go without anything. I felt so isolated and lonely without my family around; it’s very far from Manchester, making it difficult for them to visit. That was one of the hardest parts. I struggled to find my place in this harsh environment. At that time, I had two flight tickets to return to Mauritius: one I refused, and the other was deferred. Thankfully, I had some Jamaican friends who protected me from abuse and rudeness from other detainees. The only good thing that happened during my stay was that I learned about Microsoft and Origami craft, which are now part of me, and I discovered a Bundist Temple that became my quiet place, providing inspiration for me to become a Bundist. After nearly four months, I was released from this awful place but left with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The numerous delays in my status process contributed to this and are ongoing. Unfortunately, my ordeal and struggles did not end there; I am still fighting to obtain my status. I remain resilient and will never give up on my right to stay with my loved ones, especially now that I have become a great-grandmother of four. On top of that, I am dealing with many health issues stemming from the Detention Centre. The immigration system has failed me for many years. I began to question my decision to move to the UK and wonder if I made a mistake in leaving everything familiar behind back home.

Despite my deceptions and challenges, an angel came my way. I met my partner, Michael, who is always there for me and who knows my struggles; he was part of them too. He supports me both financially and morally. Through our ups and downs, he has stood by my side from the beginning until now. We have been together for seventeen years. I met some amazing people from the Buddhist community; they support me morally and are always concerned about my well-being. I have four daughters, my sons-in-law, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. I have my teachers from Manchester College, where I studied nearly two years ago. My teachers (Sue, Shams, Ventjana, and Cristina) are always there to support me. How magnificent it is to be surrounded by such beautiful and amazing people, even amid my struggles! I have learned valuable lessons from these experiences. I learned to adapt to new, harsh situations, embrace uncertainty, and find strength in my resilience. Through these struggles, I have come to appreciate the opportunities and experiences that have come my way, even when they were not exactly what I hoped for.

When I looked back on my journey in the UK, I realised that life is a series of ups and downs, twists and turns, and unexpected detours. Things that I never expected to happen in my life occurred during my time in the UK, which has not always been easy. It was a valuable chapter in my life that taught me some important lessons about myself and the negative situations and people around me. As I look forward to my uncertain future, I am grateful for the personal growth that came from my time in the UK and the memories that will stay with me forever.