My dad had a good job and we had quite a good life. Everything was normal and we were a very happy family. The move to the UK was proving a great success.
However, this all changed in 2007. The pride of winning a seat on the Leicester Young People's Council was wiped out when I found out that I might have to go back to my home country of Zimbabwe. My father was stopped from working because of issues with his work permit. His employers did not process it correctly and this caused the Home Office to decline our application to stay here.
This is when I felt the whole world crashing down on me. I started deteriorating at school and having nightmares about my past experiences of abuse and bullying in Zimbabwe. The thought that I might be sent back there made me feel suicidal and I even attempted to harm myself. Luckily I had good support around me from my youth worker, friends and family, especially my new family at college. I have managed to come through it all and received counselling support from other girls who shared the same experience as me. Without this level of support, I'm not sure I would still be here.
While my mental health situation has improved, I still have major worries. There are continuing issues with my father's work and the family feels abandoned by an uncaring system. An even bigger problem is I managed to secure and then postpone a university place last year, but the days until induction in September are slipping away.
I'm unable to attend university because they need £8,500, as I'm viewed as an international student due to my father's work permit issues. This is an impossible amount for me to raise, even with the help of friends and family. It's been devastating having to watch all my friends go to university and move on with their lives.
However, I refuse to let this get me down. I've completed the Prince's Trust Team programme and currently attend an internship at the National Youth Agency. It's a good experience, but I always think how nice it would be to be studying for my Business and Law degree.
As September gets closer, I don't feel confident it will be resolved. I will not get to take up the place I was granted on the merit of my hard work.
- Wave is backing Belinda's campaign to go to university. If you would like to contribute or want to get involved, please contact John Coster on 07595 893930 or email editor@leicesterwave.org.
