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Out of Africa to the wilds of Lanarkshire… Maryhill-based refugees plant new roots

Maryhill Integration Network has been working with tree charity Eadha Enterprises to restore former opencast coal mine.

They have been forced to give up work and livelihoods as they seek permission to stay in Scotland.

But now Glasgow-based asylum seekers have been given a surprising outlet for their energies as they seek full refugee status.

Men - originally from Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia and Iran - are volunteering to plant new trees at a windswept former opencast mine in South Lanarkshire.

All are users of the Maryhill Integration Network which works with refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow.

The first team of refugees based in the city have already sown 800 aspen trees at Glentaggart Opencast mine in the Douglas Valley, 35 miles south of Glasgow.

Despite driving rain and freezing temperatures at their first session, the volunteers were thrilled to be giving something back to society, according to project leaders.

The refugees are working with social organisation Eadha Enterprises, based at Lochwinnoch, which was set up in 2011.

Peter Livingstone, Eadha's chief executive, said working with the refugees had been a revelation for his team.

"Of all the groups that work with me, I must say the work ethic in the refugees is hard to beat," he told Glasgow West End Today.

 Project: Refugees are helping to plant thousands of aspen trees. Photo credit: Sami Elhaj
Project: Refugees are helping to plant thousands of aspen trees. Photo credit: Sami Elhaj

"Often they were forced to have to stop to take breaks. It's ridiculous, because these guys just want to work.

"If local people see them helping out it can only help relations and understanding - because the bottom line is that they just want to work.

"They've got the work ethic that I think many people here don't - and I see that first hand."

The planting is taking part on land owned by Douglas & Angus Estates and is part of a Forestry Commission Scotland fund project. Support also comes from Foundation Scotland.

The trips are being supported by Craig Thompson who runs Operation Play Outdoors.

Anteneh Teklu, from Ethiopia, said he and his friends had kept warm by working hard and drinking tea.

"In Ethiopia gardening is taught in school and we planted some small trees there too.

"It feels nice to have this connection between Ethiopia and Scotland; we both emphasise the importance of the environment and how we should learn to work together to help protect it and ensure it for the future."

Ermis Kiflome, from Eritrea, had invited a friend along for the planting.

"After we finished, on the drive home, I felt happy.

"My friend was tired, he had never done this kind of activity before.

"It is a nice complement to studying all week - to use our bodies, and feel that we have created something new.

"It’s so good for the environment to do this and also for everyone else living in Scotland."

Native woodlands are being re-established on the former opencast site to help restore the landscape and provide wildlife habitats.

Rare species such as aspen are being chosen because they can more readily survive the challenging environment.

Peter said: "We are using innovative methods. We are not using tree guards and we are choosing species carefully.

"At theses sites there is not a blade of grass on them, and it's like planting on concrete."

He added: "Despite the conditions, the guys that were out seemed to enjoy themselves - they were singing and all smiles.

"You see the potential they could offer to our country, I think it is a very positive message.

"Look, here are refugees who have come from Africa and they are working in snow and sleet at the most challenging site in Scotland, and they are not complaining and they are helping to put right past wrongs and are helping to restore our landscape.

"For goodness sake you can't have a more positive message than that."

Rose Filippi, a development worker with MIN, said the partnership with Eadha Enterprises had proved hugely popular with refugees.

 Hardy: gorse is a species that can thrive in harsh terrain. Photo credit: Sami Elhaj
Hardy: gorse is a species that can thrive in harsh terrain. Photo credit: Sami Elhaj

Rose said: "Since the two sessions we ran last year with the men’s group, so many of the members of the group have been asking when we can go tree planting again.

"Being outside in the fresh air, away from the city and contributing to a project aiming to restore native plant species to Scotland’s landscape is something that the group really connects with.

"It brings them together through team work, also giving them new skills and understanding of the ecology of their new homes.

"Many members of the group are waiting for their asylum claims to be processed so are unable to work, this can be a frustrating and debilitating time for them so opportunities like this give them confidence as they are able to volunteer and use their time positively.

"No matter where you’re from or what language you speak, it’s clear that this is a great project to be involved with.

'Even in the face of the typical Scottish weather, you can see smiles."

* For more information about Eadha Enterprises click here. For more on the Maryhill Integration Network click here.

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