In May 2018, British Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of Dover, Kent, stopped the car of Andrei Iancu, 20, a Romanian, for an inspection. They looked in the trunk and discovered a human arm sticking out of a suitcase in the trunk.
The Port of Dover is the closest British port to France and mainland Europe.
The victim, Phong, then 16 years old, was rescued and immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition. After six days in the hospital, Phong gradually recovered and was transferred to the Kent County Children and Youth Care Center.
Driver Iancu later pleaded guilty to smuggling people into the UK and was jailed for 18 months in a reformatory for people trafficking.
A family in Ashford, Kent then adopted Phong through social services.
The seaside town of Dover, where Phong was found and rescued
After nearly a year living with his new family, Phong sent a thank you letter in English to those who helped and cared for him. On August 17, Kent County Council published this letter:
Dear Britain,
I am writing to tell you about the difference you have made in my life. You have saved my life, given me a family and a home.
I arrived in England after waking up in a hospital bed. I was terrified and panicked. I didn’t know where I was, my whole body ached and I couldn’t even feed myself. I could only move my neck and fingers a little.
What I will always remember are the kind nurses and doctors who smiled at me, gave me biscuits, oranges and water. They took good care of me. After 6 days in the hospital, Melissa, a social worker, came to visit me and took me to a new home. I didn't understand what Melissa was going to do until she showed me what would happen.
Now I have my own bedroom, the first one I have ever had, and a mother, a father, brothers, sisters, grandparents… At first I couldn’t speak English well, but we practiced together every day. Then I was allowed to go to the Migrant Action Network centre in Kent to learn English, where I met Jo, my new social worker.
After 3 months in the UK, I am now able to go to College to study English and Maths. I never thought I would be able to get into university, but I passed 2 English entrance exams after only 11 months in the UK. Thank you everyone for helping me learn English and improve myself. Now I am more confident and think more about positive things.
Thank you for finding me, helping me get better in the hospital. Thank you everyone for giving me a family, giving me a good education. Now, I believe in myself and think positively instead of negatively. I never believed that I would be loved. But now there is a big rainbow in my life, instead of darkness.
I am looking forward to my third college entrance exam in September. I am not sure if I can pass the exam but I will do my best. I hope I can make my family proud.
My mum helped me write this letter. Once again, thank you England for changing my life."
Excerpt from the thank you letter written by Phong in English
"He is an extraordinary child, and has grown so much since he first arrived," said Christine Burge, Phong's current foster mother. "He has passed so many tests, become more confident and has made many close friends. I am proud of him every day."
