Finding the path to independence for Waterford migrants By LYNDA LAWTON, Waterford Chamber
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or most of us, it is impossible to imagine fleeing for your life from a war-torn country or a city with the utmost corruption, but for over 5,000 people in Waterford and the South East, that is a stark reality. Thankfully for them, they have made their way safely to our shores and with the help of Waterford Integration Services, a humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), they have begun to slowly build a new life for themselves. Many are young adults, sent by their families who have handed over their life savings to give just
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one family member a chance. Here in Waterford, they seek out education, a place to call home and a chance to earn a living so they can send money home to the rest of their family who are still living in unimaginable conditions. Waterford Integration Services work with Waterford City & County Council, Embassies, Immigration Department, other NGOs, agencies, academics and the private sector to provide a variety of supports to their clients, including advocacy, integration, human rights resources, professional service referrals, access to English language classes, outreach, integration
activities, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation, and policy development. Access to education is an ongoing issue in Direct Provision Centres but the coming together of Elaine Fennelly, CEO of Crystal Valley Tech and Anne Nolan of Waterford Integration Services, during the Waterford Chamber Regional Leaders Programme, has resulted in the business community stepping up in support of our migrant residents. Working together, Anne and Elaine very quickly figured out a way that the ICT firms of the South East could support vulnerable
NETWORK • Q1 2021
