Teens' work in welcoming Syrian families to Co Galway 'humbling'

JUDGES visiting Tuam for the all-island Pride of Place competition described it as a “humbling experience” after they heard how young people from across the county have been working to make families from Syria feel welcome.

Galway County Council has entered the 'Supporting Refugees' project by Galway's Comhairle na nÓg and Youth Work Ireland Galway in the competition which acknowledges work done by communities.

Young people from parts of Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Connemara have been involved in organising workshops, intercultural nights and first hand accounts in an attempt to help young people become more aware of the refugee situation as well as offering the hand of friendship to families who have moved to Co Galway over the past few months. The group have also been learning phrases in Arabic, which has proven a big success.
A teenager from Syria, who now lives in Ballinasloe, told how she and her family now “feel joyful and safe. You have given us an undescribable sense of happiness.”

Read more in this week's edition of The Tuam Herald