Colleen Molloy (Letters, 22 May) suggests that all those with spare rooms can help the homeless by inviting them to stay. I strongly concur. We first did this in 1973, when we welcomed a family of three Uganda Asians to live with us. It was one of the richest experiences of our lives, and we are still in touch with the family. The daughter, then a disoriented teenager whom we were able to get back on her feet and into education, has just retired as a consultant anaesthetist. Since then, we have welcomed a family of three from Iran, and others from Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Nigeria and elsewhere.
They have all been genuine asylum seekers, sent to us via the Red Cross and a local asylum seeker hub. The Iranian family has now obtained refugee status, the son is at university and the father is in work and self-supporting. A fourth person’s claim is well under way – she has valid grounds to remain. All were destitute when we welcomed them into our home.
I would heartily recommend the experience to those who have the capacity and can afford it. Yes, flexibility, consideration and tolerance are needed on both sides, but these are far outweighed by the richness and pleasure that we have gained from the experiences.
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