An artist and entrepreneur once voted Afghan businesswoman of the year has been granted asylum by the Home Office after being featured in the Guardian last week. Samira Kitman, 32, who lives in Lancaster, had originally been refused asylum, but was due to appeal on Monday. She visited the US for a meeting with the then secretary of state, John Kerry, and was featured in We Are Afghan Women, a book by the former first lady Laura Bush. The college trains a new generation of Afghan artisans in woodwork, miniature painting, ceramics, jewellery, gem-cutting and calligraphy – Kitman’s specialism. In the UK, she found herself barred from working and had to survive on the £5-a-day allowance the Home Office gives to asylum seekers.

Source: The Guardian March 26, 2017 12:23 UTC