Refugee left for dead is now on track for a brilliant career

Aug 7 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A UGANDAN refugee who escaped from civil war to Britain with little formal education is undertaking a work placement in Liverpool, after completing his first year at Oxford University.

Now 19, Terrance Ayebale arrived in Britain six years ago barely speaking English but managed to achieve top grades at GCSE and A level in two Liverpool schools.

He won a place at St Anne's College, Oxford, to study engineering and is now spending his summer working at Sutcliffe’s, a city centre engineering and surveying firm.

He said: “My life has turned around in such an amazing way.

“In Africa I was left for dead on the road after rebels took over our village.

“I never knew my father, my mother left when I was seven, and my uncle who looked after me died.

“Luckily I was rescued by the British Red Cross and a group of nuns who took me in.

“When spending time with the missionaries, one nun noticed how I would spend most of the time doing mathematical equat- ions, unlike the other children.

“She thought I had a desire to learn and brought me back with her to Britain. She made me promise to try as hard as I could with my education and to go to church and I have kept those promises.”

When Terrance came to the UK, he was fostered by a south Liverpool family and attended Shorefields technical college, Dingle Vale, and St Margaret's Church of England school, on Aigburth Road.

Last year, he was offered his place at Oxford.

This looked in jeopardy a few months ago, though, when Terrance was told he would need a visa to stay in the country.

Facing the possibility of deportation, Terrance sought the help of friends and family and Liverpool MP Louise Ellman. In a national campaign, Terrance voiced his story to the nation and with popular support secured his visa and place at Oxford University.

This national campaign brought Terrance to the attention of Sutcliffe. Impressed by his tenacity and desire to work in engineering, the company, through MP Louise Ellman, contacted Terrance with the offer of a paid work placement which Terrance accepted.

The placement could lead to a permanent role on completion of his degree.

John Sutcliffe, of Sutcliffe’s, said: “It’s very rare to find an individual like Terrance with such natural ability and determination to carve out a career despite the obstacles. We feel he will be a real asset to the team this summer and hope his placement will lead to a permanent role in the future.”

Terrance, who still lives in Liverpool in his university holidays, is enjoying his time at Oxford and his work placement.

He added: “Working within this company is great, everyone is really friendly and you can ask for help if you need it – I thought working in an office would be more intimidating.

“I am learning a lot and some of the work I am doing ties in with my course next year, so I have a headstart.”

lizawilliams