Ilham’s Journey

In 2011, Ilham’s life in Kamishli, Syria, was turned upside down by the war that swept through her country. She, along with her husband and two infant children, was forced to make the heart wrenching decision to flee her homeland in search of safety. Their future was uncertain, but Ilham knew she had to protect her family. After a long and difficult journey, they arrived in Wales, a place they had only heard of, now hoping it would offer them the security they so desperately needed.

The early days in Cardiff were some of the hardest. They had escaped the immediate danger of war, but the reality of being in a new country with no family, friends, or community left her feeling deeply alone. “Those first few months were a blur,” Ilham recalls. “Everything felt unfamiliar, and I missed my home, my family, and the life we had built before the war.”

But amidst the overwhelming challenges, hope began to emerge. The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) stepped in, providing the guidance and support that Ilham’s family needed. Even more so, her Welsh neighbours reached out with warmth and generosity, filling the gap left by the family and friends she had been forced to leave behind.

“I was so grateful to the Welsh community,” Ilham shares with a smile. “They welcomed us with open arms. It was like a piece of my heart started to heal.”

Cardiff quickly began to feel more like home. Her neighbours helped her settle into daily life, and the local school played a key role in supporting her children. Teachers went out of their way to make sure Ilham understood how the school system worked and offered extra support as her children adjusted to their new environment. The warmth of Welsh culture, alongside her newfound friends, made the integration process smoother.

As her children grew and began attending school full-time, Ilham found herself with a desire to give back to the community that had been so kind to her. In 2022, she began volunteering as an interpreter with the Welsh Refugee Council, using her linguistic skills to help other refugee families facing similar challenges. Fluent in Arabic, Kurdish, and English, Ilham can now proudly say she’s even learning Welsh, through the WRC.

Her compassion and commitment to helping others did not go unnoticed, and Ilham soon gained employment with the WRC. She began as a triage officer, helping those newly arrived in Wales, before progressing to a specialist housing and homelessness caseworker role. By the summer of 2024, she had become the new Volunteer Recruitment and Development Coordinator.

“I love my job,” Ilham says proudly. “It allows me to support others who are going through what I went through. I can give back some of the kindness that was shown to me.”

When asked what her favourite thing about Wales is, Ilham doesn’t hesitate. “The people. They have the biggest hearts and are now like family to me. And they give the best cwtches!”

Ilham’s journey from Syria to Wales is a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the human spirit. Wales has not just given her safety but a place to call home and a family she never expected to find.

Story provided by the Welsh Refugee Council.