Azbera

My name Azbera is Ethiopian, but I was born as Travis Antonian Sweeny in 1983 in Montserrat in the Caribbean.

I attended a seven-day Adventist Church achieving a good education and the love of my mum. Long before I had the opportunity to come here it was a place I wanted to live. England was a place we talked about especially with my nan and mum. Even from the age of five it was a place we held with high regard and somewhere I wanted to find out more about. From a young child I felt that this country was a part of me. My village only had a church, a school and a local shop. So, the dream to come here was a huge thing growing up.

My dad was a travelling man and so I planned to come to London at some point. When hurricane Hugo hit Montserrat and then the volcano erupted, I had to leave and was grateful to be coming here... so everything I had dreamed of finally came true. But unfortunately, it was through tragedy. But I suppose where there is a loss there can also be a gain. I've been here twenty years now and although I've not given up on the Caribbean, this is now my home.

I was a successful roller-blader back then and travelled across Europe. Rollerblading is like a form of martial art as it builds self-control, but I had an injury and lost my sponsor, so my bredren got the place. That’s how life works sometimes.

I now embrace Bobo Shanti which means I believe we are all Gods and Goddesses that are still reaching our potential. Capitalism segregates us but the poor are becoming the larger tribe in the system and the rich need the poor more ….things will change in time. I try to live a humble life and I am conscious of the love of people and what is temporary…….

To me Windrush means Caribbean people repatriating to a better place where they can find food, clothing, shelter, education and social development. Caribbean people were keen for international contact with a wide range of cultural outlets. Living side by side with differences. This is the Caribbean journey.