By Sheena Clarke
When they arrived in the UK in 2005 the Alpha Mbodi and his two sons, Aimé and Junior, believed that they had escaped the horrors of the civil war that was devastating the eastern region of DR Congo. They settled in Burngreave and started to rebuild their lives. Now their prospect of a safe future here has been shattered by the threat of deportation and they are asking people to support their campaign to be allowed to stay here.
Family left behind
Originally from the North Kivu region of the DR Congo, Alpha Mbodi was targeted by government soldiers who accused him of collaborating with the rebels. He managed to escape to the UK with his two sons but tragically, in the confusion and chaos, they became separated from his wife and daughter who were left behind.
Although extremely traumatised by their experiences, the family has settled well in Sheffield where they are popular members of the community and active members of Sheffield Community Church. Aimé attends Firth Park Community Arts College, where he expects to get good results in his GCSEs this year, while Junior is doing well at King Edward VII School.
Jailed for working
Last year Alpha was discovered working in a low paid cleaning job without a work permit. While he realises that he should not have been working, he felt that his primary obligation was to provide for his family. He has paid heavily for this transgression with a prison sentence and separation from his sons who were cared for by church friends during this time.
You can support the Mbodi family in their fight to stay here by signing their petition and writing to the Home Secretary using the campaign’s model letter.
You can also sign the on line petition at the address below