Croeso i Bawb / Welcome to All

At the end of January a SaySomethingin (SSi) initiative, we have been working on with the National Centre for Learning Welsh for the last six months, came to fruition.

In a star-studded, bi-lingual, multi-media launch, the SSi module that allows Arabic, Dari and Pashto speakers to learn Welsh direct from their mother tongue was introduced as part of the National Centre’s “Croeso i Bawb” (Welcome to all) programme.

Appropriately the launch event was held at the centre for asylum seekers and refugees – The Oasis – located in the enticingly named Cardiff suburb of Splott.

Speakers included Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and the Welsh Language in the Welsh Government and Dona Lewis, the recently appointed CEO of the National Centre.

Polish and Syrian refugees gave moving speeches on their experiences studying Welsh and how crucial it was for them to do so. One person compared learning Welsh to receiving “a large warm hug” – what a wonderful description of what learning Welsh meant to her.