My name is Meltem Avcil. I have lived in the UK since September 2001.
Our family was initially dispersed to Bradford where we lived for six
months and then to Doncastor, where we have lived ever since. I am
due to be deported with my mom to Germany tomorrow Friday 12th of
October.

I was born in Turkey. In Turkey the life was so difficult in our
village my mum and dad got persecuted like everyday. They were living
in the fear of persecution all the time and that fear never stopped.

One day they thought if we live like this there is no point of
living. Finally I was born. My parents said to themselves we have to
do something about this. They moved to Germany when I was 6 year old.
Germany refused to give us asylum, so our family made their way to
the UK - this was in September 2001.

Please think for a minute - if we had not come to UK, Germany would
have sent us back to Turkey. From there I would have the same
persecution. I know you might be thinking how can they persecute a
little girl but I'm sure they do. Because in this country, the UK,
there is something called human right. But in Turkey they don't have
that so then we moved to UK and claimed for asylum but they refused
that in 2005.

Immigration 'Snatch squads' first came for us at 7 o'clock in 2005
and bought us to Yarl's Wood removal central. I was small then I did
not know anything, after three days they released us. From that day I
could not get a bit of sleep in my eyes as I was growing up. Can you
feel how I felt always thought what's going to happen to us tomorrow?

My dad ran away in 2006. I didn't feel anything. My mom was sad
about it. We have never heard from him and have no idea where he is
or why he left.

Was thinking again and again there is a big difference between asylum
child and child who has leave to remain in UK. I never thought they
were different.

When a friend asks you "can you come to my party next week" the child
that is an asylum seeker thinks first what is going to happen
tomorrow? All day all night always asking them, what is going to
happen? But when it comes to the party day. You feel nothing
happened. Why do I have to live with this feeling all the time? And
you start thinking about that as well you think the questions get
more and more you can't concentrate on your work.

In August 2007 the immigration came for us again in the morning at 7
o'clock. My friends were sleeping in our house. As soon as my mom
opened door they rushed in. They do that to all families but can't
they think why do they have to come in the morning? Sometimes they
awake small babies from their hot bed! Even sometimes they get
teenagers to think y future is down. They said to us to be quick,
they were shouting in our ears. One time they lead my friends away
with out her saying bye to me! How do they feel that I'm never going
to see her again?

Anyway they took us to the car and drive us to the police station,
told us to stay there and wait, there is another car going to come
and take you to the removal centre. The car came and it was awful.
For a minute I thought to my self am I an animal? They even treat
animals better then that. The car had a cage. I said to myself I
wished I had died and never saw this day.

The escorts bought us to Yarl's Wood. And since that day I haven't
seeing no friends. It has been 1 month and 3 weeks I'm here. I tell
you it has no difference than a jail. Put your hands to your heart
and think this girl's family, friends and loved ones are all in this
country.

What would this girl do in a different country? How would she survive
in different country one that she doesn't even know?

Now I need your help for the first and last time. Please help me!

I need a solicitor for myself

Also an appeal to the Home Secretary not to remove my mom and me and
probably the airline as well

I can't do this from Yarl's Wood, I don't even know how.

Please anyone, any groups if you read this message, contact me immediately.

Meltem Avcil,
Yarl's Wood IRC Thursday 11th October

She says thet have now got a solicitor thanks to her appeal and the removal has been cancelled. However she is still detained and facing an uncertain future...