Watford Jobcentre helps woman who fled Taliban find work

Sonia Qadery, 26, came to the UK on her own in October 2021.

Watford was considered the most suitable place as she had already had family living in the area, but she had never been to England before.

It wasn’t long before Sonia threw herself into improving her English and finding a job.

The Watford Job Centre helped Sonia find a job at Costco in Bushey (Image: Department for Work and Pensions)

She said: “We learnt English in Afghanistan, but it is different using it everyday here.

“Now I am at Watford College enrolled in an English language course and use it every day, so I am getting better.”

Not only has Sonia enhanced her language skills but she has also secured a part time job at Costco in Bushey, with the help of the Watford Jobcentre.  

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She said: “When I first came to the UK, I felt very sad.

“My work coach helped me a lot. I started at Costco last April. At first, I was an assistant and now I am a cashier, I want to improve and learn more skills.”

For Sonia, the work provides her with more opportunities to meet people.

She said: “I talk with different people all day. My manager, the supervisors and the team are very kind, and they all look after me."

She added: "Everyone has been so kind to me and I am so thankful to them for their support.”

Sonia will attend university in September to start her UK law degree (Image: Department for Work and Pensions)

But Sonia one day plans to work as a lawyer in the UK as she once did in Afghanistan.

She said: “The Jobcentre found me a role in Costco and I’m really happy in it, but my dream job is being a lawyer again and establishing my own firm here.”

In Afghanistan, Sonia’s legal work centred on women and human rights; something the Taliban takeover has pushed her to pursue even further.

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“After the situation in Afghanistan changed, women cannot work and girls cannot go to school or university.

“It’s very sad because Afghan girls can’t do anything but stay in the home and be silent. They don’t have any freedom”, Sonia said.

Sonia is now one step closer to pursuing her dream as she has been accepted into The University of Roehampton to start her law degree in September 2023.