A hostel that has been rented by the Rwandan government to house UK asylum seekers is preparing to accept children.
Kigali Hope Hostel is building outdoor facilities that will include football fields, basketball courts and outdoor toys for all children moving to the eastern country of Kigali. Africa.
The manager, Elisee Kalyango, confirmed that she was improving facilities for children who could be among the UK’s portals at the 50-room, three-star hotel in the city’s Kagugu district.
According to plans announced by Boris Johnson, the UK will send “tens of thousands” of asylum seekers to Rwanda, where they are expected to start a new life. The UK has made an initial payment of £ 120 million to the plan.
Part of that money is to pay hotel owners a one-year lease so that their properties are used only for UK asylum seekers.
The Hope hostel is currently empty after an 11-hour intervention by a European court stopped the inaugural deportation flight two weeks ago. Outside, builders worked on plots for adults and children.
Kalyango confirmed that they were taking steps to prepare for the arrival of children under the policy and said, “We are ready to care for people of any age.”
They were building a “mini football and basketball court, which can be changed to volleyball” and said toys could be placed on the grass.
The Rwandan government has wanted to show the Hope hostel to the media as modern, clean accommodation with facilities including a prayer room and a pool table.
Sign up for First Edition, our free daily newsletter, every weekday morning at 7:00 BST
However, it is the only facility so far signed up for UK asylum seekers.
The Rwandan government said those who arrive will receive full board accommodation, health care and support for five years or until they are self-sufficient.
Enver Solomon, the head of the Refugee Council, said he was dismayed to learn that asylum accommodation providers in Rwanda were preparing for the children.
“That [UK] The government intends to treat anyone, of any age or any conflict, as a human burden in a plan that is cruel and will cause great human suffering, “he said.” We are surprised by the refusal of the Ministry of Inside to be transparent about their plans and the damage they will cause.Every day through our work we witness the impact that uncertainty on the threat of expulsion in Rwanda is having on the anxiety and mental health of young people , with worrying reports of self-harm. ”
At a press conference in Rwanda, Johnson praised the migrant plan. “I am sure that the migratory aspect will work very well. I think it is remarkable that so far no court in the UK has considered it illegal and no international court has considered it illegal.
He added: “You have to find a way to break the model of human traffickers. Human traffickers, human traffickers are doing something deeply bad and dangerous and we need to find a way to stop it. I’m sure it will be value for money. “
Johnson decided not to visit the facility during his trip to Kigali this week. Asked why not, he said, “As you know, they’re not occupied by anyone yet. I’m full time with no problems. [Commonwealth] conference of heads of government “.
When asked why the government had not ruled out sending children to Rwanda, the prime minister’s spokesman said: “I think 90% of those found are men … We have taken important steps, such as those leading the place, to have everything they need here. so they have the opportunity to settle down and live their lives. “