About
Afghan Association of London
The association provides:
- A comprehensive advice and referral service, particularly in the fields of immigration, health, housing, welfare benefits and employment.
- Mother tongue and extra-curricular classes for children.
- Recreational and leisure activities such as residential holidays, social excursions and a football team.
- A women's group holding regular meetings, publishing a women's magazine and organising social and cultural events.
- A children and family worker providing advice and support and dealing specifically with the needs of youth and families.
- Activities for the elderly.
- A library.
The first Afghan refugees arrived in Britain in the 1980s following the continuous turmoil in their home country. To date there are approximately 70,000 Afghans living in Britain, with 80% residing in London.
Although it is quite a sizeable community, it is not as visible as other communities. Afghans tend to avoid being conspicuous and make an effort to blend in and stand on their own feet economically.
The majority of those living in London are highly educated, resilient and hardworking, and this was illustrated by a BBC Newsnight documentary. This documentary showed how small businesses in Southall which originally belonged to other well established Asian communities, now belong to Afghans, which is indicative of the growing social and economic contributions that Afghans have made. However, this has also resulted in the fact that their voices and specifically their stories have not been heard and they have been underrepresented in the public eye.
