The AwDUra project was about new writers, specifically from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community in Wales. Mudiad ran the scheme from 2022 until 2023 although the legacy continues to this day (with the publication of a film version of my story launched at the 2024 National Eisteddfod). Ten successful candidates were selected to be part of the project, and were mentored throughout the year by experienced writers Manon Steffan Ross and Jessica Dunrod. Some of the main aims of the project were to improve our writing and understanding about the world of literature, but the main aim was to write a children’s story, and 3 stories were published.
I think it’s important to say a little bit about how I saw the project as contributor potential and as a “real” contributor. I teach religious education in high school – that’s my background – but I never saw myself as a writer… I never imagined it! But when I saw a Mudiad advert on Facebook I didn’t just see another plan for the BAME community that would have no purpose. No! This time I saw a project with a definite result – a published book. The ad showed me that Mudiad Meithrin was serious about equity and anti-racism and ready to be an organisation that would take action.
As a real contributor to the project, it was clear that Mudiad saw the need to expand the ‘doors of the language’ to allow people like me to participate. I’m a Welsh learner but I wasn’t excluded from the process. So again, I felt part of the Welsh-language community (although I couldn’t speak Welsh fluently). And as more and more Welsh-medium schools are built, more parents are going to opt into Welsh language education, and it’s important for books to represent all aspects of Welsh life and experience. Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to share my story of my grandfather’s journey to Britain as part of the Windrush generation with the publication of my first book – Granchie and the great oak – thanks to AwDUra and Mudiad Meithrin.
*This blog is published with thanks to the Windrush Wales Fund 2024 grant*
To watch Chantelle read the book, follow this link – Granchie and the Giant Oak Tree
Order the book here – Granchie and the Giant Oak Tree – Mudiad Meithrin
