Dr Ayman joined RefuAid's language programme in 2019. A surgeon with over 8 years surgical experience as Vascular and Trauma Surgeon in Syria. Dr Ayman studied for the OET on RefuAid's Language programme and after passing his English language exams took out a loan with us. Borrowing £10,000 to cover the cost of his UK re-accreditation. He passed and is now working as a General & Vascular Surgery SHO at Manchester Royal Infirmary and repaying £256 each month towards his loan. He sent us the below:

"It gives me great pleasure and gratitude to talk about the great job Refuaid does.

I have been with Refuaid for more than three years. It had provided me with a lot of support, starting with registering me for the preparatory courses needed for OET exam and paying the exam fees itself, and not ending with the Equal Access Loan granted after passing OET. Here, I would like to take the opportunity, particularly, to stress the importance of the loan granted by Refuaid. This loan helps refugee doctors a lot, especially payments of fees for exams, courses, transports, …etc required during requalification after passing the language exam OET, which would have constituted a great burden on a refugee doctor who relies on Jobcentre to manage daily life matters and living expenses, as they do not work during this period in order to devote themselves to studying to register with the GMC and return to work as a healthcare worker as soon as possible. Otherwise, requalification would take longer if they work any other jobs with studies.

As for me, I cleared my exams in March 2021 and was granted GMC registration in July 2021 and am currently working as surgical SHO at Manchester Royal Infirmary and repaying my loan instalments
as agreed in the loan contract.

Finally, I would like to thank all the staff, volunteers and donors of Refuaid and hope my work in the NHS brings a smile to patients' faces and is a little part of giving back.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart."