I never imagined my journey would lead me here, to a place where the wind hums a different tune and the air feels so unlike the warmth of Nigeria. But life has a way of unfolding in unexpected ways.  

My name is Chika. I was born in Jos, in northern Nigeria, though my roots lie deep in the Igbo lands of the east. Life in Nigeria was rich with family. I am one of seven, surrounded by laughter, connection, and a strong sense of community. But it was also difficult. Life did not always move smoothly, and opportunities were limited. The future often felt uncertain, shaped by struggle and the need to push constantly just to move forward. When the opportunity came to migrate to the UK, I took it, not knowing what lay ahead, only hoping for something different. 

Arriving in the UK was far from easy. I moved from place to place, London to Birmingham, Coventry to Middlesbrough, never settling, never feeling rooted. Each move brought its own loneliness and uncertainty. Then I arrived in Cardiff, and something felt different. There was a gentleness here, a warmth in the way people spoke and listened. For the first time, I felt a sense of belonging. Wales became my sanctuary. Starting again meant rebuilding my life from scratch. I had always enjoyed working with my hands, and hairdressing felt like a natural path. But when I first arrived, finding a salon that worked with Afro hair was incredibly difficult. I walked into countless salons asking for a simple haircut, only to be turned away. After more than two years in Wales, struggling to find a salon that could provide the service I needed became the push I needed to make a change, not just for myself, but for others who had felt the same exclusion. 

I enrolled at what was then Coleg Glan Hafren, studying Level 2 and 3 hairdressing over three years. It was not easy. I had no money for equipment or uniforms, and at times it felt impossible. But support came when I needed it most. A local organisation helped cover the cost of my tools, opening a door I could not have opened alone. That first year, I was awarded Best Student, a moment that showed me I belonged and that my hard work mattered. 

 After completing my BTEC in Business, I opened my own salon, Hair Affairs, in 2016. It is more than a business. It is a space where everyone, regardless of hair type or background, feels welcome. It is a bridge between cultures and a place of understanding.  

Today, I have built a life in Wales. My children speak Welsh, a language unfamiliar to my tongue but deeply familiar to their hearts. I still miss Nigeria, the warmth, the closeness, the sound of life filling the streets. But Wales is home now too. A home shaped by kindness, opportunity, and the belief that no matter where we begin, we can always start again.  

My dream now is to pass on what I have learned, to teach others the skills that changed my life. Because when we share what we have, we make the world feel a little more connected, and a little more like home.