My Experience as a lone Parent on Asylum

Nehanda Radio – My name is Tapiwa. I am a single father of two daughters and we arrived in the UK in August 2003. I had no idea that I would be prohibited from working for the upkeep of my family. It seemed so strange I was told that I would be given money from the state every week, instead of being allowed to work.

After a few weeks of this money, it became clear to me that the amount of money I was receiving was calculated to allow me to simply stay alive while the Home secretary decided whether or not to grant us leave to remain. I called it “Breathing Money”. It was enough to keep us breathing and not much else.

It was hard living on NASS support with two children, seeing we had to pay for most other things just like anyone else. We had to buy school uniforms, shoes, clothes and pay for school trips among other things.

Read more