At the University of Kent, our commitment to becoming a University of Sanctuary extends beyond providing scholarships to asylum seeking students —we aim to foster a truly inclusive and welcoming campus for all. This year, we are proud to see our Sanctuary Scholars take an active role in supporting this mission by establishing Sanctuary, a student-led group that brings together those passionate about refugee and asylum-seeker support.
Recently, Sanctuary collaborated with the Kent Spoken Word Society to host Poetry Showcase & Fundraiser: What Parts of Yourself Do You See in Me?, an evening of poetry celebrating identity, unity, and shared human experiences. The event featured 18 heartfelt performances, including powerful pieces by Sanctuary committee members, offering audiences a deeply moving insight into the journeys of our sanctuary students.
This showcase was also a significant part of Charlotte Annis’ end-of-year dissertation. Charlotte, a third-year Cultural Studies and Media with Journalism student, is also the Secretary of the Kent Spoken Word Society and played a key role in organising the event. Her dedication to creating a space for storytelling and connection was instrumental in bringing this powerful evening to life.
Among the many breathtaking performances, we are honoured to share poetry from Ismael and Mia, two committee members of Sanctuary, whose words capture the emotions of displacement, longing, and resilience.
Maison by Ismael
Sa voix, ma plus belle mélodie
Mon réconfort se trouve dans son sourire
Elle me manque
De l’amour dans tous ses repas
Mon plat préféré c’est son riz au poisson fumé, hummm
Oui, maman me manque
Il est mon repère, il est ma base
Je n’ai qu’à penser à lui quand tout va mal
Avec lui j’ai appris à
Toujours pleurer avec classe
Sourire au monde même quand je saigne
Oui, Papa me manque
À chaque fois que maman cuisine
On se dispute pour avoir la plus grosse part
J’y pense et je souris bêtement
Je parle de football avec mes frères
Mes sœurs me conseillent à propos des femmes
Oui, Ma famille me manque
Aujourd’hui tout n’est que souvenirs
Nos photos sont mes biens les plus précieux
J’ai peur et ça me terrifie
Le fait qu’on ne se reverra peut-être plus jamais
Quelle partie de toi vois-tu en moi?
English Translation: Home by Ismael
Her voice, my most beautiful melody
My comfort is found in her smile
I miss her
Love in all her meals
My favorite dish is her smoked fish rice
Yes, I miss my Mom
He is my landmark, he is my foundation
I only have to think of him when things go wrong
With him I learned to
Always cry with class
Smile at the world even when I’m bleeding
Yes, I miss my Dad
Every time Mom cooks
We fight over who gets the biggest slice
I think about it, and I smile stupidly
I talk about football with my brothers
My sisters advise me about women
Yes, I miss my family
Today everything is just memories
Our photos are my most precious possessions
I’m scared and it terrifies me
The fact that we might never see each other again
What parts of yourself do you see in me?
Sommeil Eternel by Ismael
Je vis ma meilleure vie dans mes rêves
Du coup la nuit je pleure dans mon sommeil
Je pleure, car j’ai peur du réveil
Donc je pris pour un sommeil éternel
Ça sert à quoi d’être éveillé mais sans vie
Je suis amoureux de l’apathie
Absence de passion, l’ingratitude me sourit
Regard vide , cœur aride
Je l’apprécie, elle m’aime , et je déteste ça
Car l’insatisfaction flirte avec mon âme
je la trompe, elle me quitte ,je souffre en silence
Car mon euphorie se trouve dans la souffrance
Plus besoin de sourire pour cacher ma culpabilité
Car les gens sont trop occupés à se faire la guerre
Je suis triste et ça m’attriste d’être attristé
Sur le bon chemin, mais je réussi à me perdre
J’aime de plus en plus la la mélodie de l’obscurité
Ma solitude fait l’amour à mon anxiété
Je rêve d’un dîner avec l’ange de la mort
L’idée de le rejoindre à sa table me réconforte
Quelle partie de toi vois-tu en moi?
English Translation: Eternal Sleep by Ismael
I live my best life in my dreams
So, at night, in my slumber, I weep
I cry because I fear waking
So, to numb the anticipation of the incoming day,
I look for eternal sleep
What’s the point in being awake when you’re lifeless?
I’m in love with apathy
Absence of passion, ingratitude allures me with a smile
Empty gaze, arid heart
I like her, she likes me,
And I hate it.
Because dissatisfaction flirts with my soul
I cheat on her, she leaves me, I suffer in secrecy
Because my euphoria is found when suffering captures control
No longer a need to smile to conceal my guilt
Because people are too preoccupied fighting each other
I am sad and it saddens me to be saddened
On the right path, but I managed to lose my way
I’m infatuated with the melody of darkness more and more
My loneliness makes love to my anxiety
I dream of a dinner with the angel of death
The vision of joining him at his table comforts me
What part of yourself do you see in me?
In another man’s land by Mia
The journey of being sheltered under venerable conditions aches
It felt like being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with no compass
Yet you still have hope of life
Imagine learning how to swim without support in the storm
Remember, no direction to get off to the shore
2023 was the year I saw a University of Kent Rescue boat
I waved to them, and they spotted me in the middle of Manchester Sea
With no one and no support
They rescued me from the waves I was drowning in
They welcomed me with the support of learning how to swim
They gave me shelter
I found beautiful siblings, old and young
Aunties and uncles
Moms and dads
I found my family where I belong
How I wish those with power could see how joyful we are
How I wish they could let us bloom like a spring
How I wish we had our own world
How I wish Kent was a planet on its own
Well,
I believe all this shall pass and we will live in harmony
I believe we will make the world shine again
I believe we will bloom like spring
These performances were met with both laughter and tears, as students and audience members gathered with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by sanctuary students. The event was not just about poetry—it was about connection, empathy and a shared commitment to supporting those who are rebuilding their lives and finding a new home within our community.
Support our sanctuary scholars
Our sanctuary students have made an incredible journey to be here, overcoming immense challenges to pursue their education and aspirations. With the right support, they can continue to thrive.
You can help by donating to the Sanctuary Fund. Your gift provides direct financial assistance to asylum-seeking students, easing their hardships so they can focus on their education and reach their full potential.
Make a gift today that makes all the difference by clicking here. You can also follow Sanctuary on Instagram to stay updated on their initiatives: @sanctuary_ukc. Thank you for your support.