1.4. Meltem Avcil : And So I Stood Up

Meltem is 28 years old, a social entrepreneur and award-winning campaigner, and she lives in Cambridge with her partner and one year old son. Originally from the Kurdish part Turkey she and her mother fled to seek asylum in Europe when Meltem was very young. They ended up in the UK and waited six years for a decision on their case, which was rejected, after which they were taken to the notorious Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre in Bedford and was locked up there at the age of 13 for 3 months. We didn’t talk much about what happened during those three months in this interview because Meltem has talked extensively about it. We talked about what it’s like being a child trying to find her place in the world and finding courage when it seems that all is lost.

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I am an Immigrant is and ice&fire theatre production hosted by Christine Bacon, edited by Helen Clapp. Cover art by Ada Jusic.

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We are particularly keen to hear your suggestions for future guests

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Meltem’s TedEx talk www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDbicQlE6no

#NoToHassockfield petition https://notohassockfield.org.uk/please-sign-agnes-tanohs-petition-at-change-org/

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