Mayisha Begum is a third year QMUL student studying Psychology. Over the last couple of months, news of the Refugee Crisis has exposed the plight of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict in their home countries. Inspired to take action, Mayisha developed the Convoy to Calais project, which sent food and clothes to refugees in Calais this month.
What gave you the idea for the Convoy to Calais project?
Convoy to Calais is a project which aimed to create not only a short-term difference in the lives of refugees in Calais by collecting essential supplies through regular drop-off days, but to create a long-term difference by counteracting the constant scapegoating and targeting of individuals who deserve nothing but our love and support.
It all started as a Facebook status asking if anyone was interested in getting involved in the project to help organise and publicise drop-offs, and to help organise the trip. We ended up with a mix of friends and family all getting involved. Students from Queen Mary were involved in volunteering at several of the drop offs we held around campus.
Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?
There were lots of challenges! It was hard because we were all trying to juggle our own personal lives with this - for me, it was trying to maintain the balance of third year and the project. However we all helped each other and I think that's what really made the project successful, and we had so much help along the way from all different kinds of people, which was amazing.
How much food and clothes were collected and how were these distributed to refugees?
We had two warehouses full of food and supplies, to the point where we had to refuse any more! There was a lot going on behind the scenes to enable this project to take place. Most of us work or study full-time, but the levels of dedication and commitment shown by the team was incredible. No matter how many obstacles arose we addressed them, dealt with it and moved on to the next one. Because, at the end of the day, no matter how much grief and stress we experienced, the project in itself brought us all the joy in the world.
A few weeks ago, one of us went out to Lesbos and took supplies with him to give to the people arriving on the Island, and did some amazing work out there. Last week half the team went to Calais with some of the supplies and volunteered in the warehouse and with the distributions. This week, the other half, including myself, did the same. It was surreal being in Calais after preparing for it for so long.
We volunteered in the warehouse run by L’Auberge De Migrants, a charity which was set up years ago by ordinary individuals and continues to be a grassroots movement. Despite everything the staff have to do to keep their operations running, and the constant fear of being shut down or moved - they still stay positive and full of enthusiasm.
We spent the whole day sorting, packing and getting boxes ready to distribute. You might think this is a minor job but honestly, I can’t explain the feeling of knowing that your actions are benefitting people directly. The fact we were there sorting, taping boxes up etc. meant more boxes were getting ready to be distributed throughout the week, so more refugees would be able to receive aid, which, especially in this weather, is so crucial. Just being a part of that was so special.
What would you say to other students who feel passionate about an issue and want to make a difference?
I’ve learned that if you are passionate about something, no matter how many times you fail or things go wrong, if you remain true to your intentions and your goal things will happen. If you have an amazing supportive group of people around you things will happen. If you believe you can do something, you can. I cannot get over the number of people who helped us last minute, whether it was agreeing to take us to Calais last minute, letting us use their warehouse, transporting supplies, helping with sorting, promoting etc. It’s hard to find the beauty in humanity when there is much hurt in the world. But I’ve seen it with my own eyes these past few weeks. And it really does give you hope for the future.
One lesson I’ve learned that will stick with me is that despite my insecurities and fears, I am capable. Things got hard sometimes, but the fact that we saw something through, something of this scale, has really proven to me that I, and all of us, have the ability to create change.
Do you have any future projects planned?
I have lots of ideas and plans for the future. For Convoy to Calais, we are hoping to take regular trips to the warehouse and organise groups of young people to go and volunteer for the day- but this is still in the works. I'm also the President of the Palestine Solidarity Society, so I will continue to raise awareness about the injustice there, which is something I am very passionate about. I also have plans to raise awareness about the genocide in Burma of the Rohingya, which I was pleased to discover is a cause our university is very much active in and I hope to join them in raising awareness, particularly among students.
I also help run an ethical blog called Oh So Ethical, to encourage people to look at the food they eat and clothes they wear, and realise the impact our actions have on the environment and on people all around the world- such as the exploitation of factory workers who make the clothes we wear.
There's a lot to be done, and unfortunately it took me until my final year to realise the platform this university offers people like me in voicing our opinions and channelling our passion into action, and I really recommend any student who is passionate about a cause to look to the university to help you create the change you want to see. I really appreciate the support the university has given me, and the confidence it has given me to push for something I am passionate about.