Garima Kapil , EMEEN Writer & Editor
A young refugee from Central Afghanistan has achieved his dream of becoming a Fabricator and a Welder. Aliyasir Jalla, a student at the Belfast Metropolitan College has overcome all odds and challenges, with his sheer hard work and determination. He has not let anything stop him from pursuing his goals. Aliyasir is certainly an inspiration to many aspiring refugees here in Northern Ireland.
As a 15-year-old Aliyasir arrived in Northern Ireland in 2018 as a refugee from Afghanistan. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Afghanistan is one of the largest refugee-producing countries in the world, and many Afghan refugees have sought asylum in countries around the world, including in the UK and Ireland.
In an interview with EMEEN, Aliyasir said, “Whatever happened has happened, good or bad, I had to move on and achieve my goals.” His background in a farming community from Afghanistan taught him the value of hard work, and he brought this to his studies in Northern Ireland.
James Kerlin Programme Director, Manufacturing Skills for Industry (MSfI) said "The MSfI project offered Ali the opportunity to achieve and progress in line with his aspirations and it's no surprise to hear about his continued accomplishments. Along with my colleagues Chris Corken and Andrew McNevison, and tutors John McGowan and Barry Montgomery we're delighted to have been part of the journey and wish Ali continued progress in his career; we're cheering for his success and we're confident the best is yet to come."
Aliyasir enrolled in the Belfast Metropolitan College in 2019, and quickly made a name for himself in the Engineering Department, headed by Mr. Chris Corken. When asked about Aliyasir's journey Mr. Corken said, “Ali is a great student, well organized, and a good communicator. We are really proud of what he has achieved.”
In the final year of his studies, Aliyasir gives special thanks to his tutor, Mr. Barry Montgomery, for helping him through everything over the years. “Mr. Montgomery made sure I felt included even though my English was not up to the mark at the start of the course,” Aliyasir recalls. Mr. Montgomery also remembers Aliyasir's eagerness to learn about the culture, language, and history of Northern Ireland. John McGowan who is the engineering trainer and assessor spoke to EMEEN and said that Ali's commitment is second to none, he would doubt that Ali has ever missed even one class in the first six months of his course, Ali definitely knew what he wanted to achieve.
Aliyasir now works four days a week at his paid placement and attends classes one
day a week, making him self-sufficient. “I couldn't have achieved this without the help of the Belfast Metropolitan College,” he said. In this interview with EMEEN, Aliyasir also stressed the importance of reaching out for help, rather than relying on benefits. “There is help out there, and it's important to take advantage of it,” he said. He also thanked EMEEN, a group that works on behalf of ethnic minorities to promote employment in Northern Ireland.
EMEEN expressed their gratitude to the Belfast Metropolitan College for providing this incredible opportunity to showcase Aliyasir's success, and hope for more of such stories in the future. Aliyasir's achievements are an example of how education and hard work can lead to a better life, even for refugees facing challenging circumstances. With the help of the Belfast Metropolitan College, he was able to gather the skills and knowledge he needed to become a successful fabricator and welder. His story is a testament to the resilience and determination of refugees who are looking for a better life.
In the future, Aliyasir hopes to continue to grow in his career and to help other refugees and asylum seekers achieve their goals as well. He wants to be a role model for others and to demonstrate that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
EMEEN’s director Steve Lazars will be working closely with Belfast Metropolitan College to see more success stories like Aliyasir's. Steve believes that education is a key factor in helping refugees integrate into their new communities, and EMEEN aims to provide support and guidance to help refugees achieve their goals
By working closely with educational institutions such as Belfast Metropolitan College, EMEEN hopes to provide a path for refugees to access education and training opportunities, ultimately leading to successful careers. EMEEN founder and director Steve Lazars said, “EMEEN is committed to helping
more refugees like Aliyair achieve their dreams. Our goal is to provide support and guidance to help refugees integrate into their new communities and reach their full potential.”