Asylum seekers often provoke fear and resentment in the local community. But they have received a warm welcome in Darlington and are making great efforts to fit in.

Women's Editor Christen Pears reports.

HER eyes stare across the room to a future that is safe but miles away from her real home. But as they move into soft focus, Nemberwa Kamerarhwa is actually looking back, remembering why she is where she is today.

"My husband was treasurer of our home town in Congo Kinshasa but then there was civil war," she says in her native language of Lingala. "The rebels came looking for anyone who was high ranking in the city and they killed him," she says, through her interpreter Moses Possi, a fellow asylum seeker from neighbouring Congo Brazzaville. "They looted our house and burned it down. My son was also killed and I don't know where the rest of my family are, including my grandchildren."

So at 63, Nemberwa fled her homeland and through the UK's asylum arrangements this year ended up living in Darlington. "It is really hard leaving home but the people here have really welcomed me. It's a bit like being a baby though, only knowing Darlington in the whole of the country, but I am happy here where it feels much, much safer. I will never forget what people have done for me and will always be thankful."

Now Nemberwa has decided it is time to put something back into the town that offered her shelter and sanctuary. She and other asylum seekers in Darlington have been involving themselves in a host of activities designed to integrate them into the community.

"We have been collecting for an organisation that helps people who have been bereaved," she says. "And I am learning how to speak English so I can communicate with people."

Nemberwa has enrolled on a course at Darlington College of Technology, where she is learning English, along with fellow asylum seekers. Their efforts to fit into the community have not gone unnoticed and have won the asylum seekers high praise. Twelve refugees were presented with certificates of achievement by the town's MP Alan Milburn, at a ceremony at Darlington College.

As well as charity work, they have been taking part in a schools project, which involved speaking to young people about what it is like to be an asylum seeker and to have to flee their own countries.

"The idea of asylum-seekers going into schools in Darlington is a very positive one," says Mr Milburn. "These people have a powerful message to tell and it is right they share their experiences so we can have a greater understanding."

Community development worker with Darlington Borough Council Sarah Kasagic adds: "I think this has had a major effect on misconceptions in the town. It's also been their way of giving something back to the community of Darlington."

Further work is planned involving the town's schools and young people in a co-ordinated approach to getting the refugee message over. "It's about integration and we hope they will get involved in all sorts of voluntary work," she says. "It's great so many of them go to Darlington College and I am really pleased with the way it has offered support - it's a really positive thing."

Returning to her Refugee Steering Group meeting in a Darlington town centre office, Nemberwa says "thank you", in English this time, and smiles. Her gaze is focused again as she looks forward to her new life in a North-East town she now calls home.