Thread- about the vote in EU Parliament. It occurs to me that maybe we are not talking loudly enough about the hundreds of actions people and local businesses are doing quietly to support and welcome international protection applicants in the face of terrible govt failings
I'm going to give you a non exhaustive list of how businesses and organisations in Clare have gone out of their way to open their doors, facilities and hearts to refugees, those who are in DP andemergency accommodation - it can be like this in your community too
First up and first in, Lahinch SeaWorld has from the very first invited and offered free passes for its swimming pool to people in DP in Lisdoonvarna and Emergency Accom in Miltown, other locals have organised lifts to help people keep fit and combat boredom
Second, the lovely Hotel Doolin staff and manager who have to hosted large groups of Syrian programme refugees at least twice free of charge the first time for hot chocolate and cookies and later for a whole Christmas dinner complete with music and santa for children
Third (in no particular order) - Miltown Malbay Community Centre, Ballyvaughan Community Centre, Lisdoonvarna Pavillion - community facilities whose boards and management all opened their doors every time they were needed for coffee mornings, music sessions, family days etc etc
Next, Geopark (cliffs of Moher) put on such a welcome for a group of men visiting the cliffs they gave them gift bags t-shirts, souvenirs, and a welcome from the manager so the men said they felt like VIPs. Murphy Blacks in Loop Head provided a picnic for free for Syrian families
fifth the Armada Hotel in Spanish Point managers and staff who as well as organising a mass tree planting and including all the asylum seekers gave us a fab packed lunch for a whole bus load of men on a day out
Then there are the local organisations such as @CLDC_ and the LCETB who have done their very best to include and support people and have helped fund some of the above activities. Not to mention Clare Women's Network and Clare Immigrant Support Centre and Clare PPN...
I'm not talking here about the great individuals who are doing the real work every single day in Lisdoonvarna and Miltown Malbay compensating for the lack of facilities, supports transport etc that are in those places - they are unbelievably decent humans and show the best of us
communities in Clare also fundraised 4000 to get TVs installed for the first group of Syrian families and the workmen installing them did it for costs , and I could go on and on (I do) and I've probably forgotten loads but I just want to say that all these groups and people above
acted as good communities can do when we act on our good humanity to do whatever needs to be done, not one single one of these groups ever sought credit or publicity , they just stepped into the gaps left by the state. This is the kind of country I think we are,
this is the kind of country I want us to be and I know that despite all the fear mongering and hysterical right wing hate and the negligence and disrespect from the govt we can do it, we can welcome the stranger within our gates and we can enjoy the huge benefits they bring.
Keep thinking of groups and businesses I've forgotten - The Cheese Press in Ennistymon and crafter Cynthia Cox who helped women from one of the centres get an arts and craft market going!
Forgot too how the community in Doonbeg did a fundraiser to buy decent runners for the young men who'd joined a charity run- they saw the bad shoes they had and set about replacing them
And I forgot all the schoolbags and nice back to school stationary that everyone collected and donated for @donnahsvuma 's every child is your child campaign so kids in DP would have the same as everyone else.
@donnahsvuma Damn I forgot the Shannon men's shed too who sorted out and oiled and fixed breaks and punctures and replaced chains on donated bikes for all the refugee children when they arrived
