In a remarkable testament to Christian charity and community spirit, Project Oasis has successfully concluded its mission of supporting a refugee family from the Middle East, bringing hope, stability, and faith-filled friendship to their new life in the United Kingdom.
The initiative began in early 2017 when parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Great Missenden, were inspired to sponsor a family through the UNHCR/UK refugee programme. What started as a spark of compassion quickly grew into a diocesan-backed project with volunteers from multiple local parishes, all offering a variety of skills and unwavering dedication. By mid-2018, the Project Oasis team had successfully submitted its application to the Home Office and UNHCR, receiving approval to sponsor a refugee family.
Initial fundraising efforts raised £18,838, including Gift Aid, from 58 generous donors. While the team had anticipated a family with young children, God’s plan led them to welcome Zainab and her daughter Maryam, then 13, from Iraq. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the team rented and furnished a home in Chesham, investing around £12,000 to prepare for their arrival. On their first day in the UK, Zainab and Maryam arrived at Heathrow with a single suitcase and little English, warmly greeted by five members of the Oasis team and supported by Arabic-speaking volunteers and modern technology like Google Translate.
With Oasis’ support, Maryam quickly enrolled in school, and Zainab began ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses, excelling in her studies while volunteering locally. Additional support came from the Catholic Women’s League, which generously provided £3,200 to aid Zainab’s language learning. Over the next several years, the project continued to support educational and practical needs, including school trips, housing moves, and assistance with official forms, demonstrating the enduring commitment of the local Church community.
Through perseverance, faith, and the support of Oasis, Zainab found part-time work and completed her ESOL courses, becoming fluent in English. Maryam continued her studies while receiving vital mental health support and is now working to upgrade her GCSEs. The family moved multiple times, eventually settling in High Wycombe in more suitable accommodation, while Oasis volunteers continued to provide guidance and friendship.
A major milestone was reached in December 2023, when Zainab and Maryam were granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. This year, they successfully passed their citizenship exams and were naturalised as British citizens, celebrated with their UK passports in hand. They are now preparing to participate in an HCPT pilgrimage to Lourdes, a joyful symbol of their new life and faith journey in the UK.
The Oasis team reflects on the project with gratitude and humility. “It has been a privilege and an honour to be part of Zainab and Maryam’s journey,” said a team spokesperson. “We treasure the friendships formed and continue to pray for suitable work for Zainab, progress in Maryam’s studies, and good local friends for them both.”
Project Oasis stands as a shining example of the Gospel in action, how parish communities, united in faith and charity, can transform lives, offering hope, dignity, and opportunity to those in need. The project has now formally concluded, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and enduring human connection.
We invite the faithful across the Diocese of Northampton to continue praying for Zainab and Maryam as they embark on this next chapter in their lives.
