ERITREAN refugees are learning English thanks to help from St. Ambrose College sixth form students.

The African asylum seekers are studying in the Christian Brothers mission in Salford until their applications are processed and are using their spare time to learn the culture, customs and language of what they hope will become their new home.

Each Wednesday St. Ambrose College sixth form students come down to help them learn English and integrate more easily.

Brother Gervase, who runs the Revive project, said: “The young men have all fled the country because they feared they would be press ganged into joining the army, which is very corrupt and harming its own people. They had a choice of being oppressed or joining the oppressors.”

While their cases are examined by the Home Office, the Government gives them temporary accommodation and £35 to live on.

Despite the hardship, they love their new country.

Tiklam who has been in the U.K. for two months said: “I love this country. The people are so smart and I love this school. When I come here I see people who have a dream. I had a dream when I was a young man but that was taken away from me by the army and now at last I feel I can dream again.”

St. Ambrose sixth form student Ammar Estwani, 17, who is of Syrian descent is helping with translation, while another six students give lessons and simply get to know the refugees.

Nick Moore, 18, whose family fled Poland in the Second World War, said: “From an immigrant family that was forced to flee its home because of war, I feel deeply that we should all help. These people are subjected to immense hatred in the media, but if you get to now them you realise they are just like you and me and have so much to offer and contribute to our society. If we want to be considered a humane society we simply cannot turn our backs.”