About Kurdish All Wales Association (KAWA)
Welcome to the Kurdish All Wales Association (KAWA), a Cardiff-based non-governmental organisation committed to enriching the lives of the Kurdish community in Wales. Our mission revolves around providing essential services, fostering cultural understanding, and establishing strong bonds with diverse communities across Wales.
Our values
KAWA upholds several core values that guide our work. These include: Cultural Pride, Respect & Dignity, Empowerment and Solidarity. All of these values emphasise listening to and responding to the needs of our people in Wales, Ensuring fairness, kindness and inclusion for all. We also preserve and celebrate Kurdish heritage while embracing life in Wales. This helps build strong realtionships and standing together in times of need.
Our aims
1. Strengthen the Kurdish community's voice and representation in Wales
2. Celebrate Kurdish culture and heritage while promoting unity with wider Welsh society
3. Support Kurdish people to integrate and contribute in to the Welsh community
4. Build partnership with Welsh government, local authorities, charities, businesses , universities and other communities to support and empower Kurdish people living in Wales to integrate and thrive.
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Our mission
At KAWA, We support, represent and empower Kurdish people across Wales by providing community services, promoting cultural understanding and collaborating with other agencies to enhance wellbeing and intergration. We focus on:
Supplementary Education
We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the Kurdish language by offering supplementary education in the mother tongue. Our programs aim to enhance language proficiency and cultural awareness among Kurdish youth.
Cultural Promotion
KAWA takes pride in promoting Kurdish culture through various channels. From traditional art forms to contemporary expressions, we strive to celebrate the richness and diversity of Kurdish heritage.
Community Building
We believe in building bridges across communities. KAWA actively engages in initiatives that foster understanding, respect, and collaboration among different ethnic and cultural groups in Wales.
Cultural and Art Events
KAWA organises vibrant cultural and art exhibition events, including the annual celebration of the Kurdish New Year, Newroz. These events serve as platforms for showcasing Kurdish arts, fostering unity, and sharing the beauty of our traditions with the broader community.
Salah Baba Rasool
Director & Welsh Refugee Council's Head of Service
Salah Baba Rasool, who arrived Wales from Central Kurdistan in 2003, has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service. His proactive involvement spans the organization of diverse social, cultural, and sports events, along with the implementation of supplementary learning programs for children.
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In his dual roles as the director of the Kurdish All Wales Association (KAWA) and the Head of Service in the Welsh Refugee Council, Salah has played a pivotal role in serving and unifying the Kurdish community. Through his leadership, he has fostered connections, organized collaborative events, and facilitated mutual understanding with all other communities in Wales.
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Salah's dedicated community service has garnered well-deserved recognition. As a testament to his tireless efforts, the Kurdish All Wales Association (KAWA) received an exclusive invitation, alongside 700 community and charity representatives, to attend the welcoming event of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in October 2023.