I was introduced to the Grand through Ginamet and Moodie who are part of the Grand Multicultural Hub.
I meet Ganimet on the train and it was such a coincidence. I was sitting in the train station and I saw a lady next to me with black hair. I suspected she is not British but I just sat there and patiently waited for the train. However, the lady looked at me and asked if the train on the platform was going to Swansea. I replied politely and then she asked me if I’m from the Middle East. That’s how we initiated a conversation.
When we got on the train I told her my story. That I’m originally from Palestine but I lived in Lebanon for a really long time. I came to the UK three years ago when I was 19 years old completely on my own and I’m currently waiting for my refugee status to be approved.
She tells me that her husband, Moodie is from Palestine and maybe they can support me with the approval process. After that about two weeks later I came to visit Ganimet and Moodie at the Grand.
That’s how the story went from randomly encountering Ganimet at the train station in Cardiff to suddenly being here involved with this hub.
Because of the newly established hub this place will be able to genuinely help people.
I myself would love to be involved especially in helping the asylum seekers. I know that the life of asylum seekers is hard, you are completely on your own and it’s difficult to form meaningful friendships and relationships and access relevant information.
I hope that when I’m 50 years old I can reminisce about all the people I’ve helped here. Just like Ganimet and Moodie, who I currently see as my aunty and uncle, are helping me now.
