17 images Created 30 Nov 2009
Kosovo refugees in London
The Kalaj family came to England as refugees after their lives in Kosovo were torn apart and had no choice but to escape.
I met them in East London. They were attempting to rebuild their lives and adapt to a new country, whilst waiting for the Home Office to make the final decision whether or not they could permanently stay in the UK. This situation meant to be a temporary one, is protracting over time. Years have gone by and their fate has not being decided while their lives keep on being on hold. In the meantime, their children have learnt to speak English, going to school and becoming more and more English. The parents instead live in a limbo or half-existence as they describe it, where they cannot seek employment and live on vouchers given by the government, in a home decided by the same. They pray that a decision will come through soon so that they can go on with their lives. One day, in fact they hope to live normal British lives.
Their situation is common to many Kosovo refugees in London.
I met them in East London. They were attempting to rebuild their lives and adapt to a new country, whilst waiting for the Home Office to make the final decision whether or not they could permanently stay in the UK. This situation meant to be a temporary one, is protracting over time. Years have gone by and their fate has not being decided while their lives keep on being on hold. In the meantime, their children have learnt to speak English, going to school and becoming more and more English. The parents instead live in a limbo or half-existence as they describe it, where they cannot seek employment and live on vouchers given by the government, in a home decided by the same. They pray that a decision will come through soon so that they can go on with their lives. One day, in fact they hope to live normal British lives.
Their situation is common to many Kosovo refugees in London.
