People are really welcoming if you get to know them...

Audio

Adama

An Interview with Adama

Adama moved from Africa to Morecambe two years ago with her husband and young family. She talks about finding the transition difficult at first but says she is much happier here now that she knows more about English culture and language and has got to know people.

I came from Africa because my children used to have malaria

I moved here two years ago with my kids. I came from Africa because my children used to have malaria and they were really sick so I have to get away from there, that's why I came here. And my husband had a house here; it was a very small house but because it was his house we don't have to pay rent so we decided to move here. But he is originally from Scotland so when I moved here it was boring: no family, no friends. It was so strange and different culture as well. So I found it difficult when I came here because, you know, it's not easy to mix. But then I get mixed with people and I really like it now, I like England now.

People are really nice

For the first few months I came here I was always crying but now I'm used to it and I know many people and they are nice very helpful, I would say. I had kids so I didn't study when I first came here. so now I have a bit of time now they are growing up so now I am studying English. I think if I do my English I will enjoy it more because I will have a better job. And people are really nice, they are really welcoming if you get to know them. It is just that everybody is scared to trust people but otherwise it's ok. I understand why.

I am really enjoying myself now

[When I came here] one [of my children] was 2 and one was 6 and I have another one who is two. Now they are older but [although] they really like their school, sometimes they say they get bullied or some people call them 'Pakis.' And they don't understand, because they are like half mixed so children don't understand they are black background, so they think they are 'Pakis'. So it is really hard for them. If they called them Africans they don't mind but if you call them 'Pakis' they don't like it... but otherwise they like their teachers and they like to learn English and they are doing well because, especially the older one, when they first came here, was really struggling but now, since then, they are going to high school next September and she is not at the bottom. So I am really happy with that ...I am really enjoying myself now.