My name is Awder Ahmed, I am a Kurdish refugee from Iraq. My family and I arrived in the UK in March 2019, claiming asylum. A month later, we were placed in Swansea, where we were warmly welcomed. People from the African Community Centre, SCVS, and kind nurses at the Central Clinic helped us settle in, offering comfort and support that made us feel part of the community

The initial challenges were substantial. Our housing, provided by the Home Office’s contractor, was in poor condition, and requests for improvements were often denied. Public transportation was costly, which was tough with limited funds. Additionally, the language barrier added to our struggles.

As a volunteer with the African Community Centre’s Transportation Scheme project, we received the Project of the Year award from the Community Transport Association, recognizing my contributions. I also worked on a capital project for Morriston, naming it “We Love Morriston” and designing its logo and newsletter. Later, with the Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team’s “Share Tawe” project, I assisted homeless rejected asylum seekers, helping some secure leave to remain in the UK—a significant success for our team.

Grateful for the support we received, my family and I have embraced opportunities to give back. Working with organizations like Race Council Cymru, African Community Centre, EYST, and Swansea City of Sanctuary, I’ve connected with individuals dedicated to improving the lives of ethnic minorities. These experiences have deepened my understanding and commitment to supporting Swansea’s diverse community.

It’s important to showcase the positive contributions of people from ethnic minority backgrounds, celebrating their achievements and recognizing their impact. Many, like myself, deeply appreciate the refuge and new life the UK has offered us, and we’re committed to giving back and raising our children as active, engaged members of the community.

I encourage young people to speak up, share their experiences, and seize opportunities to make their voices heard. By expressing themselves, they can help raise awareness of the challenges and experiences unique to their backgrounds.

Currently, I work with Race Council Cymru, contributing to its mission of promoting justice and racial equality. I am proud to play a role in the third sector. I aim to continue helping and improve the lives of ethnic minorities and advancing equality in our community through my work in the third sector.

Fy enw i yw Awder Ahmed, rydw i’n ffoadur Cwrdaidd o Irac. Cyrhaeddodd fy nheulu a minnau’r DU ym mis Mawrth 2019, gan geisio lloches. Fis yn ddiweddarach, cawsom ein lleoli yn Abertawe, lle cawsom groeso cynnes. Helpodd pobl o’r Ganolfan Gymunedol Affricanaidd, o Gyngor Gwasanaeth Gwirfoddol Abertawe (SCVS), a nyrsys caredig yn y Clinig Canolog ni i ymgartrefu, gan gynnig cysur a chefnogaeth a wnaeth i ni deimlo’n rhan o’r gymuned.

Roedd yr heriau cychwynnol yn sylweddol. Roedd ein llety, a ddarparwyd gan gontractwr y Swyddfa Gartref, mewn cyflwr gwael, a gwrthodwyd ceisiadau am welliannau yn aml. Roedd cludiant cyhoeddus yn gostus, a oedd yn anodd gydag arian cyfyngedig. Yn ogystal, ychwanegodd y rhwystr iaith at ein brwydrau.

Fel gwirfoddolwr gyda phrosiect Cynllun Trafnidiaeth y Ganolfan Gymunedol Affricanaidd, cawsom wobr Prosiect y Flwyddyn gan y Gymdeithas Cludiant Cymunedol, a oedd yn cydnabod fy nghyfraniadau. Gweithiais hefyd ar brosiect cyfalaf i Dreforys, gan ei enwi yn “We Love Morriston” a dylunio ei logo a’i gylchlythyr. Yn ddiweddarach, gyda phrosiect “Share Tawe” y Tîm Cefnogi Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig ac Ieuenctid, bûm yn cynorthwyo ceiswyr lloches a wrthodwyd yn ddigartref, gan helpu rhai pobl i sicrhau caniatâd i aros yn y DU – llwyddiant sylweddol i’n tîm.

Yn ddiolchgar am y gefnogaeth a gawsom, mae fy nheulu a minnau wedi croesawu cyfleoedd i roi yn ôl. Gan weithio gyda sefydliadau fel Race Council Cymru, Canolfan Gymunedol Affricanaidd, EYST, a Dinas Noddfa Abertawe, rwyf wedi cysylltu ag unigolion sy’n ymroddedig i wella bywydau lleiafrifoedd ethnig. Mae’r profiadau hyn wedi dyfnhau fy nealltwriaeth a’m hymrwymiad i gefnogi cymuned amrywiol Abertawe.

Mae’n bwysig arddangos cyfraniadau cadarnhaol pobl o gefndiroedd lleiafrifoedd ethnig, dathlu eu cyflawniadau a chydnabod eu heffaith. Mae llawer, fel fi, yn gwerthfawrogi’n fawr y lloches a’r bywyd newydd y mae’r DU wedi’u cynnig i ni, ac rydym wedi ymrwymo i roi yn ôl a magu ein plant fel aelodau gweithgar ac ymgysylltiol o’r gymuned.

Rwy’n annog pobl ifanc i godi eu llais, rhannu eu profiadau, a manteisio ar gyfleoedd i sicrhau bod eu lleisiau’n cael eu clywed. Trwy fynegi eu hunain, gallant helpu i godi ymwybyddiaeth o’r heriau a’r profiadau sy’n unigryw i’w cefndiroedd.

Ar hyn o bryd, rwy’n gweithio gyda Race Council Cymru, gan gyfrannu at ei genhadaeth o hyrwyddo cyfiawnder a chydraddoldeb hiliol. Rwy’n falch o chwarae rhan yn y trydydd sector. Fy nod yw parhau i helpu a gwella bywydau lleiafrifoedd ethnig a hyrwyddo cydraddoldeb yn ein cymuned trwy fy ngwaith yn y trydydd sector.