Women flee Zimbabwe for the peace of Ryedale (From Gazette & Herald)

Women flee Zimbabwe for the peace of Ryedale

TWO women who fled the terrors of Zimbabwe have praised the warm welcome and kind hearts of Ryedale people.

C J Becker and Helen Mogg arrived in this country with CJ's young son, the contents of three suitcases and a limited amount of cash. They lost everything in Zimbabwe after attacks and intimidation.

CJ, who is a Zimbabwean national, was required by the British consul to pay 300,000 Zim dollars, or around £300, for a visa to come to Britain. The visa states that she has no recourse to public funds. CJ's partner, Helen, is British. They headed for the peace and tranquillity of North Yorkshire and found a place to live in Ryton.

Since their income comes from handmade leather goods, they needed a car to get to markets and shows.

Mick Barker, from KM Barkers in Malton, sold them a car. But when he delivered it he also brought a bike for CJ's son as a gift.

Later, he found them beds, bedding and other furniture. Other people also gave CJ and Helen furniture and things for the house. "The fish man put word around and from that someone offered us a fridge.

"The kindness to us has been tremendous. We find the people here very friendly and very willing to talk."

At first Helen, who is aged 72, was denied any state benefits, even though she had topped up her UK state pension contributions in the '90s.

She was told she could not prove she would be an habitual resident. It took five months of anguish and failing funds before she heard that she would be paid an amount as yet unspecified.

CJ too had financial difficulties. She was not able to open the bank account of her choice because she had no utilities bill to prove her address.

Eventually, after trying Barclays and Lloyds, the HSBC accepted her account on receipt of her lease agreement.

Helen and CJ tried to get help in sorting out their urgent financial difficulties. "Finding information is a problem," said CJ. "The Citizens Advice Bureau couldn't help. They asked us to continue our enquiries on our own."

The couple love Ryedale and have some interesting comments on attitudes and the way of life here. Helen said: "Colour is a big thing in this country, more so than in Zimbabwe. People here are afraid of the issue. They should accept the issue and not apologise.

"In Zimbabwe, we had many black friends. But in the end, our black friends had to stop greeting us. That was what drove us out - and the fears of violence. When a starving kid throws a stone at you because you are white you feel you are not wanted. But we do miss the black people."

They also find there is a lack of discipline in British youngsters and young people have no respect.

CJ and Helen have experienced a bit of antagonism in the UK. "Some people think we are freeloaders," said Helen. "But we haven't taken a penny. If you live in Africa, you have to fend for yourself."

The two women have been delivering leaflets to help make ends meet.

"People in Ryedale have been fantastic," Helen added. "We have never known anything like it. When we arrived, we slept on the floor. We had a kettle and two cups. In two weeks, local people had given us chairs and a bed. I can't give enough praise."

Now CJ and Helen would like to offer help and advice to anyone else who arrives in this country in a similar situation. You can contact Helen and CJ on (01653) 669199.

Updated: 10:16 Wednesday, January 29, 2003