Big adventure for refugee children

Summer camp enjoyed by kids living locally

Refugee children from Ukraine, Syria, Pakistan as well as African countries have been enjoying a huge range of activities with the Unity Youth Hub.

The youth hub is run by the Nenagh-based Silver Arch Family Resource Centre. In July and August, it provided 40 refugee children living in Nenagh, Borrisokane and Coolbawn Quay with a great opportunity to join a summer camp.

The camp lasted three weeks and had fantastic success. It was hosted in two locations by Nenagh AFC and Borrisokane Community College.

In the first week, Unity Youth Hub held a fantastic sports day in Nenagh and Borrisokane. We had it all: fun games, new friendships, and four hours of non-stop activities! Massive thanks to our fantastic sport leader Josh Egan, who kept the energy high and the fun flowing.

The 40 children enjoyed another fantastic day out when they were taken to UL Adventure Centre to take part in a ropes and boats course. The children donned life jackets, hopped into colourful kayaks, and paddled their way around Lough Derg. They also tackled the high ropes course – they climbed cargo nets and balanced on wobbly bridges.

Huge thanks to UL Adventure Centre for a day of laughter, courage, and unforgettable memories.

FEELING VALUED

On the second week, the refugee children took part in two team-building and craft days. What can be better than making new friends and engaging in fun activities together? The team-building and craft days in Nenagh and Borrisokane were a blast and emphasised the significance of feeling valued!

Feeling part of a group is essential and participants on both days had the opportunity to bond, collaborate, and tackle challenges as a team while having a great time.

Huge thank you to artist Gerardine Wisdom, whose craft sessions were a huge hit! The children made adorable dolls and dressed them in beautiful clothes. The grand finale was a massive chalk drawing where every participant contributed a piece to create something big and beautiful together.

A big shoutout to our volunteer Sorsha Williams, our amazing day leader, who organised the activities with the support of a team of volunteers – these events would not be possible without their combined efforts.

Watching the children from different cultures exchange phone numbers, share biscuits at lunch and help each other up when someone fell was truly heart-warming.

Another trip during the second camp week was to Galway Wildlands for Net Adventure. Lots more activities and exercises, making new friends and unforgettable memories.

CULTURES INTERMINGLE

Week three consisted of two trips. Cinema Day involved the children being brought to Limerick cinema to see Spiderman. Some of them were at the cinema for the first time. The film is fantastic and the experience was great!

There was also a trip to Fota Wildlife Park in Cork. After watching kangaroos jumping and having lots more fun in the amazing natural park, the children had a picnic and received summer camp certificates at the end of the day.

The Unity Youth Hub summer camp gave children from different cultures the opportunity to feel adult and independent. This was not easy, as every culture has its own peculiarities. The children had different food preferences - some would not eat pork or were vegetarian; some kids had allergies.

The camp did not provide food and children had their own packed lunch from home. Children were given drinks and snacks. Lunch time chats were great!

The main goals of the camp were: respect, trust and support. If somebody in the camp had to pray at a definite time, they could do so with respect from the rest of the group.

Olena Arkhanhelska, Child and Youth Project Worker of Silver Arch FRC, would like to say a special thanks to the volunteers who cared for the children like their own. Thank you; a fantastic team! Your kind hearts and great responsibility helped to realise this project!

The Unity Hub Summer Camp Volunteers: Sorsha Williams, Vitalii Sirenko, Lynn Chan, Bella Abushova, Alex Pleciscik, Shorouk Alhlail, Hanna Ivanova, Ellen Blackwell. Many thanks also to Tom Darcy for helping on a great adventure with the trip to Fota.

Huge thanks from children’s parents to Silver Arch FRC and the Tusla fund for this fairy tale!

To register for the Unity Youth Hub of Silver Arch FRC, please contact Olena at 0833582904 / olena@silverarchfrc.ie.