Feature
The Spirit of Duhallow: Fam By HELEN O’SULLIVAN
On the 24th February, war broke out in Ukraine when Russia launched its attack and life changed. Not just in Ukraine, but across the world. Ireland has opened its door to those fleeing the war, Duhallow included. Ukrainian families have started to relocate and settle into communities across the region and it is lovely to see how communities and neighbours have come out to welcome them. Undoubtedly, they have been through unimaginable horrors and experiences to get here, and we cannot underestimate how traumatic and life changing all of this has been for them. Coupled
with a different language is a different culture, education system, health system etc. IRD Duhallow has been working on the ground to reach out to them in an effort to get information to such families and help them access supports they are entitled to as well as start to settle into the area. Urgent Calls for donations and volunteering were put out on social media and the people of Duhallow did not let us down. Instead we were inundated with offers of help, donations of clothes, toys etc. as well as offers to translate with a surprisingly large number of people being able to speak Russian, one of Ukraine’s most common languages. This has proven invaluable to us. It is heart-warming to see such
a response. It is this spirit of volunteerism which we are seeing that will really help our new friends to get settled here faster. Some children have already started school in the region both primary and secondary and again local schools were only too willing to help. To see local children immediately welcome and engage with Ukrainian kids through fun and play and not through language made us all realise how possible this all is. Last weekend the community of Banteer were given short notice to take some refugees into their community facility as a short term rest centre. An unimaginable effort of voluntary work was undertaken over a short number of days. People of all ages and
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Olena Lobchenko and Svitlana Chornous - sisters in law with their kids and host family the O’ Callaghans. Their kids started school in Lismire NS and Boherbue Comprehensive School in recent weeks. 12
DiscoverDuhallow@irdduhallow.com
Issue 62 April 22, 2022
