An asylum seeker who came to Wales not being able to speak a word of English is now hoping to study Pharmacy at university and work in medical science in memory of his mother, who died of liver cancer. Hisham Saeed, who arrived in Wales in 2017 aged 20 had never been to school but has now bagged a top award for his commitment to learning.
Raised in Mosul in northern Iraq, Hisham lost his mother when he was very young and didn't have a chance to attend school. His grandparents encouraged him to flee the war in Iraq in search of safety, and he eventually ended up in Swansea after a long, treacherous journey to the UK.
Hisham explained: "I lived with my grandparents and I had to look after the farm. My grandfather taught me how to read and write. But when the war came, we had to move and leave everything."
When he was placed in Swansea, he had to learn English from scratch. He said: "I couldn’t speak any English. I didn’t know anyone here and everything felt so strange. I felt as if I was blind and deaf. I didn’t know any Kurdish people so I felt quite lonely."
After he started learning English at drop-in sessions run by Swansea Asylum Seekers Support, he met "very kind" people who learned English alongside him and also gave him food and clothes. Before long, he enrolled on an English as a second language course at Gower College Swansea, where he was also determined to study GCSEs too.
He said: "I said I wanted to do something more difficult and that I wanted to go to university. My dream is to work in medical science because my mother died of liver cancer."
During his studies, he found himself living on the street. He said: "I had no home. It was so difficult but I still carried on studying. Arriving in the UK, everything was so different but focussing on my studying helped me to forget [the difficulties]."
Hisham was supported by Swansea-based project Share Tawe, who found him families to stay with - for which he was "so grateful" - and by organisations including Swansea Asylum Seekers Support which helped him settle into life in Wales.
He ended up taking a total of six GCSEs, and achieved two As and one B in his AS levels. Now in his final year of A levels at age 25, Hisham is hoping to study Pharmacy on a scholarship at Swansea University from September.
He said: "I never had the chance to go to school because of war so when I did have an opportunity, I took it, I worked hard and I have achieved a lot in just a few years. I have never dwelled on the past and my sad stories. I just look forward."
Hisham has now won an Inspire! Award in the 'Different Pasts: Shared Futures' category for his dedication to learning. The awards are part of Adult Learners' Week, October 17-23, in which people are encouraged to take taster courses and consider learning in their adult lives - whether that's gaining a formal qualification or learning new skills at work.
Sadie Evans, one of Hisham's lecturers at Gower College, nominated him for the award and said: "We have all been so impressed by Hisham’s sheer determination and ambition. He has an incredible story and is a living example of how education can transform your life. He has embraced every opportunity and worked extremely hard. He also selflessly supports other learners because he wants the same for them."
Not content with the strides he's made in his own education, Hisham has started volunteering to provide Kurdish to English translation for asylum seekers and refugees, and attends medical appointments with them so they can register with a GP and explain their health issues.
He also volunteers in Matt's Cafe to provide meals for homeless people. He said: "Swansea means so much to me.
"It was a place that saw me at my lowest. But so many people helped me and I never gave up on my dreams. Whatever we believe, we can achieve. It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you’re from or what your background – getting an education or skills training will give you a second chance. Make plans, work for it and you will achieve it."
The Inspire! Awards and Adult Learners' Week are run by Welsh Government and European Social Fund-funded Working Wales, and and the Learning and Work Institute. 14 winners throughout Wales have been recognised for their commitment to "lifelong learning, building confidence and developing vibrant and successful communities."
Jeremy Miles, minister for education and Welsh language, said: "Congratulations to the Inspire! Award winners and nominees. Each and every one has demonstrated incredible commitment to learning and overcome significant personal challenges to get to where they are today.
"The Inspire! Awards remind us that it’s never too late to learn something new, and that learning can pave the way for second chances – to start a new journey, to gain recognised qualifications, or to discover a new passion. The dedication of our Inspire! Award winners to never stop learning sets an example for us all, and their stories deserve to be shared and celebrated."
David Hagendyk, director for Wales at the Learning and Work Institute, said: "Every year, as we celebrate the Inspire! Awards, we’re reminded of the true value of learning throughout our lives. It isn’t just about qualifications and certificates – learning has the power to boost confidence and mental wellbeing, to arm you with the skills you need to find a new job, to feel confident to support your children and grandchildren at school or to help you feel part of a community.
"A huge well done to all of this year’s winners. Their commitment to learning is not only incredibly inspiring, but it has also helped to change their lives for the better. In sharing their stories, we hope we can inspire others to give it a go and try something new this Adult Learners’ Week."
To find out what’s going on during Adult Learners’ Week, and for personalised advice on your own learning options and support available, get in touch with Working Wales on 0800 028 4844 or go to www.workingwales.gov.wales.
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