DEWA Project

Wishing a blessed Islamic New Year to those celebrating.

The UK’s leading far-right figure was on Saturday detained by police under terrorism legislation at London’s Heathrow airport, after a week in which he played a key role in encouraging protests that later turned violent in Northern Ireland https://ft.trib.al/TetIep0

When hate feels loud, we choose to celebrate love 💜

🎉This week, we’re thrilled to celebrate that Jomiloju, a woman in our network, has finally received her status after spending a long time in limbo.

🗣️ “I fled my country with my kids for safety. All I wanted was a better life for my children away from violence...”

“It was a very long and rough road since I arrived in the UK... Until a friend introduced me to WRW and I started attending activities with them 3 times a week, my life changed. Their support and company brought a smile to my face.’’

“WRW was a lifeline for me, and knowing that I can turn to them whenever I'm stuck gives me great relief at all times.’’

“I have finally received my status after a long time. It's still like a dream to me, and I keep asking myself if this is really happening after all the uncertainty, frustration, and struggles.”

During a week where hate and hostility dominates, it is more important than ever to celebrate great news. Jomiloju’s news reminds us why this work matters and why we do what we do.

When the noise of hate and fear fills the air, we turn to our community for strength, resilience, and hope.

Solidarity will always prevail. 🤝

Starting on Monday 22nd June,

LIFE IN THE UK COURSE!

Email [email protected] to register or sign up here: https://forms.gle/fCrM2Q6cDuB74Wpw9

We condemn violence in all its forms.

Those responsible for criminal acts should be held accountable through the proper legal process. At the same time, the actions of one individual must never be used to stigmatise an entire community, nationality, ethnicity, or faith. Collective blame only creates further division and harm.

We stand with Belfast City of Sanctuary in rejecting racism, hatred, intimidation, and attempts to exploit tragic events to spread fear and division. Responsibility lies not only with those who carried out these attacks, but also with those who fuel division, exploit public anger, and create a climate in which racism can thrive.

Thank you to Sheffield DocFest for donating some tickets to people seeking sanctuary.
Sheffield DocFest has joined the family of the City of Sanctuary UK - Art Award.

DocFest has officially BEGUN 🥳

We're incredibly proud and excited to bring you the next 5 days of films, talks, events and activities 💚

If you haven't checked out our programme yet, now is the time! You don't want to miss our incredible range of films and events 👉sheffdocfest.com

Looking back at this work sixteen years later feels deeply emotional.

In 2010, Different Cultures. One World: Women’s Voices from South Yorkshire was published. It was not just a book. It was a collective space where women from different countries and cultures, living in South Yorkshire, shared poems, stories, memories, recipes, pain, hope, and strength.

At that time, many of us were trying to find our voice in a new country while carrying memories of displacement, loss, survival, and rebuilding. The book came from women’s lived experience and from a belief that our stories matter, not as objects of pity, but as knowledge, creativity, resistance, and dignity.

The voices in this book still stay with me.

Violet wrote with deep pain and power about Africa, land, greed, wounds, war, famine, and refugees, ending her poem with the unforgettable line:

“My name is Africa.”

Christine Thandi wrote about hardship, survival, asylum, education, and the determination to rebuild life. One line still carries so much strength:

“I decided to correct my life.”

Tchiyiwe captured the feeling of arriving in Spital Hill, Sheffield, where different languages, accents, food, and memories meet in one place.

Nacera shared culture through food and memory, reminding us that recipes can also carry identity, belonging, and home.

My own poem, “Sky, Land, Trees, Power And Me,” was also included in this publication. Reading it now feels emotional. I can see the younger version of myself trying to speak about justice, land, womanhood, love, power, and belonging.

One line still stays with me:

“Your power is your weapon, my power is my love.”

Some of the women who contributed to this work have since left the country. Some are no longer with us. But their voices remain. Their words are still part of our collective memory.

I also want to acknowledge the people who helped make this work possible, including Patricia Daniel, who gave ongoing advice and support through Global Issues Local Action at Northern College, and River Wolton, whose creative writing support helped many of us put our thoughts and feelings on paper. Their contribution mattered because they did not speak for us. They helped create the conditions for us to speak.

Looking back, I realise that much of the work I continue to do today, with refugee women, sanctuary, storytelling, leadership, and social change, has deep roots in this earlier collective journey.

This book was also part of the beginning of the DEWA project. It reminds me that community work can begin quietly, through writing, food, memory, friendship, and trust, but its impact can continue for many years.

Sixteen years later, I honour every woman who contributed to this work, every woman who shared her story, and every person who helped create a space where women’s voices could be heard with dignity.

Women’s voices. Every woman. Everywhere.
Dr Ibtissam

Thank you sincerely to our supporter who donated the wheelchair for the boy.

I recently met the family, and the mother expressed profound gratitude for the kindness shown by the people of Sheffield.

As always, we are truly thankful to live in a city that values equality and diversity, and that cares for one another.

Love and respect
❤️💐

Friends and community,

I am reaching out today to support a mother in Sheffield whose 15 year old son has just undergone a major reconstructive foot surgery at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The operation was complex and included taking bone grafts from his hip and placing them into his foot. He is now in a full cast, in significant pain, and expected to need several weeks of recovery with his left leg elevated at all times.

The family urgently needs:
• A wheelchair suitable for a teenager
or
• Information about charities, organisations, churches, mosques, community groups, or services that may be able to provide or loan one temporarily.

The mother has been told that renting a wheelchair privately can be very expensive, and she is struggling financially.

If anyone has a wheelchair no longer in use, or knows of any support available in Sheffield or nearby areas, please message us privately.

Even sharing this post could help the family reach someone who can support them during this difficult time.

Thank you.