Visit to Cardiff, South Wales Yama Wida’s Report

Visit to Cardiff, South Wales

Background:

In July 2011 the British Red Cross organised a gathering of approximately 250 Afghans living/working in Cardiff and invited Afghan Action to make a presentation about Afghanistan and share ideas on how to help organise the network of Afghan Diaspora who reside in South Wales. “The Society of Afghan Residents in South Wales” was formed as a result and is the first Afghan community organisation in Wales. It was established in October 2011 and is currently led by Dr. Nazir Sherzai, a successful business entrepreneur who runs his own furniture business, “Star Furnishing”, in central Cardiff, a location which makes him easily accessible to people.

After the July gathering, and building on my previous visits to the region, I asked the Society of Afghan Residents in South Wales for help in recruiting some advocates for Afghan Action’s “Building Bridges” programme. I was introduced to some locally well-known Afghans and 3 are now active advocates.

Purpose of the Visit on 9 February 2012:

On my visit to Cardiff on 9 February, I was able to train the advocates and develop contacts with the local community. Regular communication and visits in person help to improve and strengthen our relations with local community groups like the Society of Afghan Residents.

Furthermore, I had the opportunity to discuss in person details of the upcoming event (to be held on 19 February 2012) being organised by the Society of Afghan Residents, which aims to bring together local Afghans and others from the wider community. The chairman, Mr. Sherzai, has agreed to give Afghan Action a slot in the agenda to introduce our activities. Our new advocates will deliver a presentation about Afghanistan. The purpose of taking an active part in such events is to use them to raise awareness about Afghanistan and link progress there to the Millennium Development Goals, and also to raise the profile of Afghan Action.

Outcomes:

I was in Cardiff for the whole day and more Afghans kept coming into the meeting, so I had a very good opportunity to brief them about our programmes.

Training:

* Signed advocacy contract with three Afghans, Ms. Shahnaz Hakim, Mr. Sayed Habibullah Hashimi, Mr. Hafizullah Oruzgani;

* Provided detailed training, using a comprehensive Power Point presentation;

* Answered questions and discussed the Q&A session;

* Introduced the goals and activities of Afghan Action to our advocates;

* Referred our advocates to Afghan Action’s website and facebook link;

* Provided them with soft and hard copies of the materials.

Meeting:

* Detailed discussion with the Chairman of the Society of Afghan Residents in South Wales, discussing future events and programmes;

* Agreed to support and participate in a joint event with the Society of Afghan Residents on 19 February in Cardiff;

* Discussed the possibility of Star Furnishing stocking some of Afghan Action’s carpets in the store for display and sale purposes.

Next steps:

* Our three advocates will represent Afghan Action on 19 February at the event organised by the Afghan Society in Cardiff and speak about Afghanistan etc;

* The Afghan Society and Afghan Action will contact schools in South Wales in order to open doors for our advocates to make presentations about Afghanistan.

Yama Wida
February 2012