Juhara Siraj Sherif

I came from Eritrea to the UK about 19 years ago. I came on my own because of the political issues back home. I had nobody in the UK that I knew and couldn’t speak the language at all, I had no English Skills.

At the time it wasn’t funny but when I look back now, I laugh at myself but here’s a funny story; one day I left to do some shopping and when I came back, I had no idea which way home was, I was lost! I couldn’t ask for directions as I didn’t understand nor speak English. I started to cry and caught the attention of a police officer and tried to explain my situation they used a translator on their phones to interpret what I was saying.

Before WAES I attended Lewisham college where I studied English Speaking and Reading for 3 months. I was going through a lot I had my kids; I was going through marital issues, and I moved around almost 12 times eventually settling in an apartment in Westminster with my children. Westminster Council Social Services has helped me quite a fair bit with my little ones for example travel costs and making sure we’re okay.

As a single mum and a domestic abuse victim it was tough managing life, especially when you have children with specific needs such as autism, diabetes and speech, language and understanding delay, so I was a little depressed but kept powering through. I enrolled onto a course at WAES. I was grateful I could use the nursery temporarily whilst I studied.

In all honesty I wanted to get rid of my depression, I wanted to meet more people and socialise. My kids are my motivation to learn as well as being part of a community.

My favourite aspect of studying at WAES is I can always be very open in the classroom with all my peers and teachers. I enjoy the activities and tasks put forward.

The teaching at WAES has been enjoyable. My tutor Katia really knows her learners inside out. She explains the task further when I have a mind block, it unjumbles the words. She gave me the confidence to go ahead with my exams, the preparation leading up to my exams has helped me pass.

My greatest achievement at WAES is being able to read and write. I ‘ve been able to read 25 books this year with full comprehension.

My overall goal is to find a good office job. Studying at WAES has made a difference in my family because my kids look at me as a role model for them the more they see mum learning the more they pay attention to their education. . I have participated in Family Learning and joined Home Work Surgery with my kids as part of the community courses at WAES.

Also, now they have knowledge about life in the UK and English Skills I’m able to help someone else in need even if it is just directions in my local community or wherever I am.

Put yourself first like I am and go study especially to any mums out there who want to make a change you just have to ask, don’t think so much about it.