Bradford award winner doesn't let cultural struggles stand in her way

The idea of an arranged marriage complicated an issue Mariam had been comfortable with for many years, but which she’d had to be discreet about because of her culture.

Twenty-year-old Mariam is openly gay and doesn’t see why she should hide her sexuality. “When I was younger I didn’t see it as an issue,” she says. “I didn’t think about my sexuality.”

Mariam is often questioned about how she can sport a pink mohawk and be the way she is, coming from her background. “I say it’s because I am proud of who I am,” she says.

Three years ago, she arrived in Bradford and spent the first couple of years living in hostels before arriving at Bradford Foyer, one of 150 Foyers throughout the UK working with 16 to 25 year-olds who, for a number of reasons, are unable to live at home.

Mariam credits the Foyer with giving her the stability she needed to get on with her life. She continued with her A-levels, but found her true forte, and her future, helping others through volunteering for Bradford Youth Development Partnership (BYDP).

Last year was her turning point, and she credits BYDP for her many achievements. In January she was elected on to the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament, and in February was awarded two gongs – the Positive Contribution and Outstanding Achievement awards at the Bradford Young Citizens Awards, run by Bradford Council and supported by the Telegraph & Argus to recognise the achievements of the city’s young people.

Mariam’s awards recognised her work with the Rewind Project, an organisation empowering young people to tackle issues such as homophobia and racism.

“I realised no matter what I had gone through, people still believed in me,” she says.

Inspired to help others through the voluntary work she was involved in, Mariam seized the opportunity to extend her support overseas.

Her chance to volunteer abroad came through Platform 2, a global volunteering scheme funded by the Department for International Development for 18 to 25-year-olds who wouldn’t otherwise be able to visit a developing country and get involved with issues of justice and poverty.

Talking about her Peru experience, Mariam explains it not only opened her eyes to the poverty there, but also made her aware of her own potential to go there and help others.

Mariam went to Peru last October and stayed for three months. She says it was strange returning home to snow-covered Britain when she’d been living in 30 to 40 degree heat.

“Coming back from Peru it was like I made a vow to myself that I would never complain about anything in England. It’s complete madness coming back and complaining about the snow when there are kids out there who have never experienced it,” she says.

Coping with cockroaches and a lack of hot water was nothing compared with the poverty she experienced. While there, she and her fellow volunteers helped to build a nursery in a poor community.

They had no construction knowledge and had to rely on an interpreter who explained about digging foundations, which they did with only shovels and their bare hands.

“It was incredible how much the community appreciated what we did,” says Mariam. “It was extremely impoverished. People had to wait on the streets for water. It was the most amazing experience I have ever had.

“To think there is poverty here as well made me realise how I have helped in other communities, but there is so much to be done here as well. We all need to work together.”

Mariam’s experience also made her re-evaluate her own situation. “I was a sensitive kind of person, thinking of others all the time, and it made me believe more in myself.

“You always go through hardships in life, and I have always thought ‘why me?’ but it has now made me realise that I am glad I have gone through it because I got the opportunity to go to South America.”

Mariam has returned to her volunteering role with Bradford Youth Development Partnership. Her future hopes are to travel and “make a difference”.

“I want to get involved in a massive youth exchange to appreciate different cultures, sexualities and races. I think that is the only way we will solve a lot of issues in the world,” she says.

She says homelessness is a particular issue among young people. “There is a lot of rebellion, a lot of culture-clashing. A lot of young people say it is easy to live on their own. I want to say there are other options. You don’t need to be on the streets.”