Bright Plymouth teen, 17, could be forced out of the country
Caitlin Greyling, a former student of All Saints Academy Plymouth and originally from South Africa moved to the UK several years ago due to her father's work. Her life in the UK is well established but they have been unable to get the fees together for her citizenship and only have until October 8 to do so
Peter ChapmanCommunity Reporter
A Plymouth student could be forced to drop everything and move back to her home country - where she lived with bars on her windows - if her Visa isn't renewed.
Caitlin Greyling, aged 17, and her family are desperately trying to raise the funds to pay for her citizenship application after being hit with the financial bombshell.
Setting up a gofundme page to help raise the £2,600 needed, Caitlin's mum Vicky is now appealing to the people of Plymouth to help with their plight - or face their whole world being turned upside down.
Caitlin and her family arrived in the UK on December 18, 2014 and have built their lives here ever since.
They came from Cape Town because Caitlin's father got a job in Plymouth and the company moved their family over.
Now Caitlin may be forced to return home alone if her Visa isn't renewed, to a life their whole family was relieved to leave behind.
17 year-old Caitlin Greyling needs your help to get her Visa. (Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)
Far from being exotic and exciting life in South Africa was tense and terrifying at times. Vicky said: "It was terrible. It was dangerous. We were living in fear most of the time. The community was great but the life of crime was not what we wanted our daughters to grow up in. When we did get the opportunity to move over to Plymouth we jumped at it."
And Caitlin recalled not-so happy memories of her childhood home, she said: "We had bars on our window, locks on every door. Our gate had to be chained up every night. My dad was part of Neighbourhood Watch and he would be chasing people away with paintball guns, because they couldn't have real guns, but these looked realistic."
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Vicky added: "They also had Tasers. The police would come and pick up the pieces."
Looking towards Caitlin, Vicky said: "It's not something I want her to go back to." Caitlin replied: "I wouldn't have a life there anyway."
Caitlin left South African school around age 13 and was surprised by the level of education she received in England, initially at All Saints Academy Plymouth and now at City College Plymouth. Caitlin said: "When I moved here I was really shocked at how much they were explaining everything, step-by-step. Spending a whole lesson on something. Making sure you've got the right resources and you didn't have to pay for it. My teachers remember me as the one who said 'have a nice day' at the end of class."
17 year-old Caitlin Greyling (foreground) and her mother Vicky Greyling (background) moved to Plymouth from South Africa in 2014. (Image: Penny Cross / Plymouth Live)
Jane Yilmaz taught Caitlin at All Saints and got in touch with Plymouth Live regarding Caitlin's issue. On teaching Caitlin, she said: "I taught her throughout year 11. Caitlin was a dedicated and hard-working student. She would always go the extra mile and attend every opportunity for extra lessons.
"She was such a friendly and mature young adult who without fail would say, 'Have a nice day Miss' at the end of every lesson. She was an absolute joy to teach. I have no doubt at all that Caitlin will do very well in her future chosen career in forensic science. She is an asset to this country."
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Currently Caitlin studies forensic science and criminology at City College Plymouth as well as working weekends at The Body Shop. On her future plans, she said: "I want to go to university and study forensics, hopefully even get a masters and become a forensic pathologist."
Her Visa expires on October 8. She qualifies for citizenship through her mum and they've applied via an agency because they can't afford to get this confusing, expensive and important process wrong. However it all costs money - money they don't have.
When asked what the immediate future would be for Caitlin, should they fail to raise the money, Vicky said: "She would have to stop working, stop going to school. With no extension given to her, when she reapplies for an ILR (indefinite leave to remain) it would likely be rejected and she will be sent back."
Caitlin has her own way of dealing with the problem, she said: "I am very stressed and scared, I haven't processed it properly. I leave it to the side and try to be happy. I just love the opportunities I have here, the education and a job.
"I don't like anyone focusing on me, that's probably why I haven't processed it. Whenever someone asks my about my citizenship I just say 'how are you?' I move the conversation on.
"If I don't get my citizenship I'll be sent back to South Africa. That's not an option. This is where my family is."
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Vicky, like all parents will understand, has no choice but to think about it. She said: "I think about it all day everyday. I had a compete meltdown yesterday. I have to process it because I have to deal with it. I'm sending emails, I'm trying to raise money.
"I don't understand the system. She's been in the country so long. She's got so much to give the UK. Sending her back would be so sad. If she has to go back then I have to go back, I can't let her go back on her own.
"I hate asking people for help, but I'm desperate. I don't know how to ask people, I don't know how to put my heart out there. I would rather deal with somebody else's situation. But now we need help."
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