Pictures: Diverse cultures gather in Kilkenny to celebrate end of term awards at Failte Isteach

Diverse cultures from Africa, Asia, South America and Europe gathered together in City Hall on Wednesday for the annual presentation of end of term certificate awards.

The event - hosted by Mayor David Fitzgerald, his last in City Hall before his end of term as mayor - was the culmination of the year’s endeavour to learn English by an eclectic group of immigrants. Over 100 participants passed through the project during the past year with over 70 eligible for award certificates. READ MORE BELOW

Failte Isteach has been running under the auspices of the Fr McGrath Centre for the past twelve years. In addition to providing language tuition, the project works at breaking down the barriers that immigrants and communities face by extending the hands of friendship and goodwill.

It provides more than the transfer of skills and knowledge; it also links participants to a variety of community activities and makes a positive difference to the lives to all those involved. It is often the very first stop for newly-arrived immigrants to the locality.

There was a buzz about the place on Wednesday. Everyone had a different story to tell but all agreed that faced with the challenges of adapting to a new culture, life was made a lot easier by understanding the common language. The learners highly value the opportunity to learn English, as without the language they can feel marginalised and detached from the community.

The Fr McGrath Project is unique, in that, in addition to providing conversation English, participants are linked to a range of social, community and educational activities.

The centre reaches out to new communities and valuing their diversity, while at the same time promoting inclusiveness within the local community. “I really like coming to the Fr McGrath Centre where I have made many new friends,” said one Ukrainian student.

“We all feel welcome and at home here, we are encouraged to practice and develop our English skills and we communicate through English language, even if we are just at the beginning and only have a few words. We get to know each other as well as finding out what is going on in the local community.”

The Failte Isteach awards were not just for the students; 16 tutors who volunteer their time each week to teach English were also presented with certificates for their sterling work and commitment to the project.

“They are the glue that holds it all altogether,” says coordinator Theresa Delahunty.

Also recognised for their tremendous work throughout the year were the team running the project, Theresa Delahunty Coordinator, Samuel Morgan Immigrant Support Officer, Margaret Birnie Tutor Team leader, and support workers Elina Tkachenko and Oksana Ryaboshapka.

The programme is funded through SICAP by Kilkenny Leader Partnership and further resourced by St.Canice’s Community Action Network. The next term begins on September 20. New tutors are always welcome. For further details, contact 056-7751988 or 086-1927033.

Immigrant Services has run the Failte Isteach Project and Support Services for Immigrants for twelve years.  It is funded through SICAP by Kilkenny Leader Partnership and further resourced by St.Canice’s Community Action Network.   

The next term begins on September 20. New tutors are always welcome. 

Further details can be obtained by phoning The Fr McGrath Centre 0567751988 or Immigrant Services Mobile 0861927033 or 0861966073.