Adult Learners Week 2024

Different Past: Shared Futures Award – Finalist

Daoud Mohumad

Adult Learning Wales are pleased to announce that Cardiff based learner, Daoud Mohumad, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Different Past: Shared Futures Award at this years Inspire! Learners Awards.

Daoud, was a service member and soldier in Sudan and worked with the refugees teaching English and undertaking activities with teaching others music in particular the guitar and played basketball. Unfortunately, he stepped on an IED and was injured with a significant brain injury and left shoulder disability. As with any brain injury, he has had to overcome many difficulties, but his passion for learning and educating has never dwindled, which has led him to develop new skills in the digital world, an area with which he previously could not engage with due to the situation in Sudan. 

Daoud tells us:  

“Sudan is a country that has been in crisis for the past 50 years. I  have stayed in Cardiff for 10 years but had to go back to Sudan for family reasons. The current war in Sudan has brought me back to Cardiff and I now want to stay to develop my skills and help refugees in the city. I want to make Wales my home. Before the war (In Sudan), I was trying to help people to speak English and to develop their skills in English, now I want to help people develop their ability of learning.”

In Cardiff, Daoud joined one of Adult Learning Wales’ ICT Digital Literacy courses led by tutor Nicole Kinnard. The course has been taught at a pace that suits Daoud and the other learners. Daoud has enjoyed the social aspects of the course where he has made friends and supported others with additional learning needs.

Nicole said:

“Daoud is a pleasure to teach, he is a truly kind man with a great voice and often sings in the classroom which has a great calming affect on all the students. He is astute and can tell when there is an atmosphere and chats away to others and engages with fellow learners in a remarkable way that ensures everyone is relaxed. Daoud is incredibly good at inspiring others to be their best and has led by example and set himself high goals. In the past Daoud has suffered racial discrimination and abuse but has overcome this by engaging in new opportunities and in particular further learning where he has had the opportunity of developing his skills in ICT. As Daoud’s tutor, he is an inspiration to all.”

The Digital Literacy skills course with Adult Learning Wales has given Daoud an opportunity to develop his skills and increase his chances of future employment in the digital sector.

Daoud added:

“I want to get into Computer Science; the computer is an ocean, it’s endless and full of opportunity and you always have to learn more. I like being part of the learning experience, you meet nice, lovely people and friends. It brings together people who have never met before. I’m not just learning about the course; I like learning as part of the whole experience. It gives you more opportunity to build up your life, and that’s learning; it is a blessing.”

From everyone at Adult Learning Wales, congratulations Daoud by making it as a finalist at the 2024 Inspire! Learner Awards. We wish you all the best with your ongoing studies and your future opportunities here in Wales.