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"We were a very close and happy family," Jose says. "But for political reasons I was forced to leave my home in Kinshasa and then my country. At first when I arrived in the UK, I was able to phone my wife and children regularly. But one day this contact stopped and I couldn't get hold of them anymore.
"It was around the period of war in my country and I didn't know what had happened to my family or why there were no messages. I was very disturbed and I went to see the doctor, who prescribed me anti-depressive medicine.
Filled with fear
"Later I found out my family had to move twice for their safety. They moved to an area with no mobile phone coverage and no electricity. My children's education was also badly interrupted.
"During this time many people died in my country, while I was watching it on TV. Many people moved here and there and I knew anything could happen to my family. I was filled with fear, having no contact with them.
"I couldn't sleep at night, because, my family is my life. In Africa, family is your life, your future. Your children are your future. I'd never lost contact before. I'd never been in that situation.
Emotional support
"The medicine wasn't helping me and the doctor said I needed emotional support. That's when I started going to the Red Cross project in Cardiff, where the staff and volunteers really helped me. By using this service, I discovered a leaflet about how the Red Cross can help re-establish contact between separated family members.
"I was given a Red Cross message form and I wrote to my family. But I could not find any proper map of Kinshasa, my city, showing all streets, even using the internet it was impossible to find a good map as there are no postcodes in Kinshasa.
"All through these difficulties the Red Cross did its best to find my family in the suburbs. I was lucky to have contact with a relative who gave me her new home address and this helped me send my message. Through the Red Cross message I sent my wife my phone details and waited for her call. I tried many times to phone her but I was not able to make contact.
Making contact
"One day I received a hand-written letter from my wife and I was so happy. I sent a reply straight away. Someone from the Congolese Red Cross delivered my message by motorcycle - because of a lack of roads, cars can't go there. Then she called me. I was so happy and I do not know how to describe my happiness.
"Now our contact is re-established and I am sending money to my family regularly. I am also in the process with my solicitor of applying for their visas to come here.
"Because of my experience I am now volunteering for the international tracing and message service. I want to help others who are facing the horrible, distressing and devastating trouble of losing contact with their family."
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