This years’ national Refugee Week theme is IMAGINE. Below is a taste of reality for one of our network members, Loraine Mponela through poetry ‘God I Love My Son’ and a video as an element of the We Are Maokwo ‘Imagine, my reality‘ project.

LAURA NYAHUYE who made the video below says: I listened to several audios and watched several videos from the content that we collated. We collated information in various languages. The audios that kept coming back to me was Loraine Masiya Mponelas audio. Loraine shared about her role as a leader/chairperson with Coventry Asylum and Refugee Action Group – CARAG https://www.carag.co.uk during COVID 19. The need to adjust and interact via zoom, searching for funding and supporting the A to Z needs of others. For example, phone credit, internet, housing, mental health, wellbeing, food to mention a few. Amid all this Loraine was/is worried about her health. While worrying for her health she is worried about her son whom she has been separated from for 9 years.

Loraine LOVES HER SON. I am sure a lot of us can relate to how precious children are. I am sure we can relate to the immense worry that COVID 19 brought in and how vigilant we’ve been to ensure our children are safe. Well, Loraines’ case is different. Hers is not a case of worrying about a child she lives with, a child who is a bus ride away, a child she can call and face time with any time, NO. This is a mother who has been separated from her son for 9 years. Her son is thousands of miles away. Loraine is an asylum seeker. Asylum seekers are people whose request for protection is yet to be processed. International law provides that anyone has a right to seek asylum from persecution. Though she is a key worker in many ways. Her role is not acknowledged as such.

This is Loraine’s poem:

GOD, I LOVE MY SON

God I love my son. WaChiuta mwana wane nkhumutemwa. WaChiuta I love my son. I had my son when I was still a teenager back then kukaya ku Malawi.

I remember the day I first entered Chatinkha labour ward that year.

I remember that month, that day, I remember that night.

It was 3:50 AM that my son showed up.

He was cute and he still is now.

WaChiuta I love my son.

I remember the first time he suckled my breasts.

I smiled.

And that will forever stay with me.

Children are a blessing so they say.

I agree I am blessed. With my son, we grew together and were closely knitted together. WaChiuta I love my son. God, I love my son.

My son always knew what I was thinking of just looking in my eye.

All those are just memories now.

I feel incomplete.

He sends me photos we took together but that is not enough for me.

I feel empty.

That connection no longer exists.

My son ali ku Malawi while I live here in the UK. WaChiuta I love my son.

God, I love my son.

The tagline and status that I often use.

It is my way of testifying to God that no matter the feelings my son may have,

No matter anyone else may judge me for what has happened in my life I will forever love my son. Like a rock I will stand with my son.

Nothing has or will change that part of me for him.

God, I love my son.

WaChiuta I love my son.

It is an affirmation.

It is a promise.

It is a declaration.

I miss my son and I know he misses me too.

We miss each other.

WaChiuta I love my son.

Sometimes we cry together on the phone.

We console each other.

Believing that one day our story will change.

God, I love my son.

WaChiuta I love my son is a protest to show that whatever barriers that have been mounted between us, my heart, is always with him.

God, I love my son is a status that comes from the deepest part of my heart.

I know I have failed him but it stands:

God, I love my son. WaChiuta mwana wane nkhumutemwa.

by Loraine Masiya Mponelas

https://www.wearemaokwo.com/god-i-love-my-son

Please listen to Loraine talking in this moving video:

More from Loraine, and Laura: http s://www.wearemaokwo.com/laura-nyahuye

More about the We Are Maokwo project: https://www.wearemaokwo.com/imagine-my-reality

Please find below important links:

For more of Laura Nyahuye work visit her website here