Refugees and asylum-seekers plant bluebells in Welsh churchyard to encourage friendship

REFUGEES and asylum-seekers in north-west Wales joined volunteers to plant bluebells within the churchyard of St Deiniol’s, Llanddeinolen, and can return to see the shoots emerging within the spring.

The event was supported by the Local Nature Partnership and Dyma Ni Befriending (DNB), an organisation that gives friendship and assistance to asylum-seekers living within the region, within the knowledge that many could wait years for his or her status to be decided.

The charity said: “The rhetoric within the media and from opposing groups is commonly hostile, with inflammatory and negative views being commonplace. The reality is that our friends have loads to supply to the UK. Both volunteers and asylum-seekers profit from and luxuriate in the mutual contact DNB provides.”

The Ministry Area Leader of Bro Eryri, Canon Naomi Starkey, said: “What made the day significant and value while was the incontrovertible fact that we shared in an activity and a friendship which transcended any national boundaries. We learned that human beings, whether from Iraq or Sudan, share a humanity and a capability to like, share, and take part a typical task. We made it possible for people to belong and turn out to be included.”