Refugee Party 12th JUNE 2004

Some 50 refugees and other friends of JRS attended our Refugee Party on 12th June this year, despite the chilly weather and the competition from Euro 2004.  It was a great occasion and we all had a wonderful time.  The food was multicultural - with Cambodian, African and English dishes– as was the music.   And of course we had our own game of football during the afternoon!  Especial thanks are due to all our helpers for the day: all the cooks, those who helped with shopping and setting up the room and those who helped clean up! 

The party was also a wonderful way for us to be able to say “goodbye” to the Osterley site, where we have had our office base for 5 years.  During that time the Jesuit community, the staff and students at Campion House College and the retreat centre, have all shown wonderful hospitality to our refugee friends, for which we are very grateful.   

We have now moved office and are sharing a site with the Manna Society: a project for the homeless, which offers a drop in centre and other facilities, e.g. housing advice, nursing services and a clothing bank.

More photos from our Refugee Week Party

Refugee Party 21st JUNE 2003

There were people from Uganda, Eritrea, Cambodia, South Africa, Korea, Ivory Coast, Slovakia, Zimbabwe, France, Italy, Congo, Burundi and Britain.  Babies in arms and men in their seventies.  Some still seeking asylum.  Others happily settled.  Neighbours dropped in from Thornbury Road.  Seventy-five men, women and children enjoyed the garden, the football, the food, the beautiful weather and each others’ company at the party shared by JRS with the London Detainees Support Group at Osterley on 21^st June.