MINISTER FOR Older People and Health Promotion, Áine Brady TD, today officially launches the Fáilte Isteach Clane project in Clane Parish Centre.
Fáilte Isteach is a community project involving volunteers welcoming new migrants through conversational English classes. First established in Summerhill, Co Meath in October 2006, Fáilte Isteach has been running in Clane since February.
A team of eight volunteer tutors in Clane provide weekly lessons for students from a number of different countries including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary and Slovakia.
Liam Carey, national development officer for Fáilte Isteach, praised the contribution of the volunteers from Clane who attend the sessions every Thursday night.
“We had a tremendous response from the people of Clane when we went looking for volunteers and each has shown great diligence, commitment and expertise,” he said. “That so many people give their time so willingly and freely is a wonderful reflection of them as individuals but also of the community spirit that is so evident in Clane.”
He continued: “Each week, the work that this wonderful group of people do is making a difference to so many lives and I’m delighted that Minister Brady will be present to recognise their contribution and officially launch this powerful community project.”
Peter Thew, one of the project tutors, commented: “We have been amazed by the enthusiastic response from the students. They come to us from a wide area including Clane, Prosperous, Maynooth and Naas.
“Their abilities vary from complete beginners to those who have reasonable competence in English but lack a safe environment where they can practice their skills.”
He added: “What makes these classes so different is that the students determine the language they want to learn. In the few short weeks we have been operating, we have run lessons in going to the doctor, shopping for food and clothes, preparing for job interviews and opening a bank account. Each of these everyday tasks requires a different vocabulary and language structures.
“By giving the students an opportunity to learn and practice these language skills, we can help them more completely integrate into our community.”
Fáilte Isteach Clane will run every Thursday evening from 7pm to 9pm. The lessons are free and all are welcome.
