The AwDUra Scheme came at a great time for me. Towards the end of my maternity leave, I was at home, lacking motivation and I noticed an advert for Black, Asian and Minority Welsh Writers. As I read into the project, it inspired me more and more to take action.
The AwDUra Scheme has been started by Mudiad Meithrin to encourage more Black, Asian and Minority Welsh Writers to begin writing for children. Its aim is to, ‘Give a voice and platform to people who are Black, Asian or from an Ethnic Minority to write, create and publish stories in Welsh so that children see themselves and our nation’s diversity in books.’
I’ve always had a passion for reading and when I became a Primary School Teacher, some of my strongest feelings and values centred around creating and nurturing for the next generation, that love and interest in books. I must admit that it was only in recent years and since having my own children that I started to recognise the lack of representation in children’s literature, in particular Welsh literature. It got me questioning my experience of books growing up and I couldn’t think of one book I’d read with a strong, positive black main character or even a positive black character in a lesser role that I could look up to as a role model. After this realisation I started creating books for my classes, sometimes linking to topics and sometimes just for fun. The pupils’ response was astounding, all of the pupils enjoyed the books and the pupils from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds commented that some of the characters looked like them. This highlighted to me the need within our society to have stories that represent and showcase the full breadth of our diverse society, in order to inspire, encourage and guide young children of all backgrounds at such a pivotal part of their development. I had in the back of my mind that it would be exciting to take these ideas further but had no idea where to start……this is where the AwDUra Scheme came in.
Waiting online to join the first meeting with the other successful applicants, Gwenllian, Jessica and Manon was very nerve wracking; Would I have to have a book idea prepared? Would my ideas make sense? Would the other applicants be more experienced?
However, I need not have worried, as soon as the meeting started Gwenllian made me feel like I belonged and like I had a valuable contribution to make. What struck me immediately was the contagious passion that she visibly has for the Scheme, and I cannot wait to be a part of the exciting plan for the four months of support and mentorship. A highlight so far has been the Q and A with Marva Carty, who discussed her journey and the recent Welsh translation and release of ‘Mae Mari’n Caru Mangos.’ Another highlight was meeting with the author Manon Steffan, whose knowledge, skill and experience made me analyse my ideas in all dimensions, the implications for publishing and printing and the best way to communicate with an illustrator.
I am looking forward to a face-to-face day next month and with it the opportunities to communicate and collaborate with people who have made their way through the complex Welsh literature scene. I am feeling so revived and can’t wait to see where this opportunity might take me…
