On Monday, April 15 Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR) held an open public meeting to celebrate the support given in 2023 to thank many supporters and to learn about the life of an Afghan woman and how Wales aspires to be a Nation of Sanctuary.

At 6:30pm St Mary’s Church in Brecon was full and Fr Mark Clavier, who had kindly agreed to host the event, welcomed everyone before handing over to Margaret Blake to chair the meeting and introduce speakers. 

The first speaker was Sian Summers-Rees, Chair of City of Sanctuary, a national organisation set up in 2005 in Sheffield. HBTSR joined City of Sanctuary in 2015 and helped to show a way for other rural areas without many people seeking sanctuary to be able to show welcome and support. Sian outlined the history and how the concept of Wales as a Nation of Sanctuary had arisen. The aim is that Wales will be a place that wherever people seeking sanctuary go, they are met with welcome, understanding and celebration of their unique contribution to the rich tapestry of Welsh life. Sian said that Welsh people believe in fair treatment of every person, especially those who are most marginalised and struggle to meet their basic needs. A Nation of Sanctuary will work to ensure a fairer future which enables equitable access to services to support every individual to thrive. Sian paid compliments to HBTSR for the work done in support of people seeking sanctuary and for sharing our beautiful countryside and friendly people with them.

Sian then helped to introduce Sweeta and to encourage her to talk about her life. Sweeta is an award-winning, Afghan-born businesswoman who was forced to seek sanctuary in the UK after a film made about her was shown and publicised by the British Embassy. As a businesswoman in Afghanistan, she won a number of awards for excellence in business as the founder of Hariwa Jewellery Company and Jalvaghadarchin Coffee shop for women. Both of these businesses had a social outreach arm which empowered women. Sadly Sweeta was forced to seek asylum in the UK in 2017 after publicity about the film showed her without a headscarf. She explained how she was initially very glad to be in Swansea and anticipated that her family would be able to join her within months. She learnt English, was accepted onto a law degree course and a fast track Welsh Government business course. But red tape and the pandemic held up her family who had to remain in hiding without her for five years. Eagerly expecting the family to be able to join her, she arranged for them to move to Pakistan where life was marginally safer but long delays took their toll on all concerned. 

Sweeta explained how the support of friends in Swansea and in HBTSR had helped her to keep going when it seemed possible that her family would not survive, let alone be able to join her.

Sweeta’s children joined her in 2023 and two months ago her mother and three sisters were also able to come to Swansea. Sweeta’s mother, Saleha, then spoke briefly, thanking everyone for their help and saying how although she had tried to look after the children they really needed their mother. Sweeta is now engaged to her partner Ali who helped her to survive the years without  her family and worked ceaselessly to have them reunited.  

HBTSR secretary Ailsa Dunn then outlined the achievements of HBTSR in 2023 and mentioned that nothing would have been  achieved without the support of very many people. HBTSR presented nearly 60 certificates of thanks to many people and places who have been especially supportive in recent years.