This is a side of my history, that I don’t want to hide, but it somehow also doesn’t come easy talking about it.

In December 2017 I left Russia and became an asylum seeker. And in July 2019 I have been recognised as a refugee officially. What happened in between? Well, it’s a long story. If you want it to be told – let me know. I’ll gladly share it if anyone really finds it interesting. 

In short:

I lived in a refugee camp at an abandoned airport.

I lived in a queer shelter with a lot of amazing and unusual people. That opened my eyes a lot.

There was an attempt to deport me.

There was an 8 hour interview, where I said everything about the way my country treated me. All of the things I said are true. 

And here I am. I live now the way I want. But I will never forget what I had to go through to be where I am now.

Part of the reason I ask you for support, is that I spend a lot of time helping other people, who are going through the asylum procedure. They are alone, they are traumatised. I feel for them and I am there for them, to help them feel that they are on the right way and they can make it.

I ask myself – why am I not working as a social worker in that shelter? And the answer is clear to me: social workers have to keep the distance, not to become friends with the people they work with.

Whereas I think, that I want to provide understanding and support without prejudices. And of course – I want to give the friendly warmth. I wouldn’t be able to do it, being in the position of a social worker. 

So thank you full-heartedly for being with me. 

Love,

Bogolepov