Efrem’s story

Derventio supported housing resident Efrem, a 33-year-old refugee who sought asylum in the UK from his native Eritrea, was shortlisted from 100 UK hopefuls from 72 UK universities to be in with a chance of winning a highly coveted scholarship set up in memory of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence.

To prepare for the two-day assessment in London, Efrem used Sylvester’s Fund to buy a new suit so he could look business smart and feel more confident.

I’ve really wanted to be a lawyer from the beginning. I know I’m good at it. I understand complex logical reasoning. I’ve always been very ambitious. That was my interest but where I am from there are not the opportunities there are in England, and I want to thank the English government and the people for giving me the chance to live my dream.

My Derventio housing and support worker Carla comes every Monday. I’m very happy. Derventio will fix things for you immediately. They motivate us, they come, and they chat to us every week.

Efrem has been volunteering for Upbeat Communities in Derby and has started a paid position there too. On arriving in this country, he undertook maths and English GCSEs, and has taken out a student loan to complete his Open University law studies.

Now he wants to use his story to help inspire others.

I’m especially interested in commercial law, and it’s a dream for any commercial lawyer to work at Freshfields.

I meet many young people from different countries, and they don’t know the opportunities that are there because in their countries there are no opportunities. All they think is that they are going to work at something and make some money to send to their families. That’s good, but many people have lots of potential. I want to work with people to show them the way and offer them chances.