鈥淚t was August 2021 and like everyone I was watching the news and seeing the dreadful images of the chaos in Kabul airport and families trying to flee following the fall of the country to the Taliban. I remember thinking what would it be like if this happened to me and my family.鈥 That thought planted the desire to help in Ann Kelleher-she just wasn鈥檛 sure what exactly.
Around the same time her husband sent a radio clip of Rory O鈥橬eill (IRC Community Sponsorship Manager) speaking about how another community was making a difference. Ann reached out to him. 鈥淚 just really liked the idea of a group welcoming a family into their community and felt this was a really practical project that could make a difference to one family.鈥
Soon after, the Dara Group, which Ann leads, was formed鈥攂ringing together nine dedicated individuals whose diverse skills have proven invaluable to the work. IRC supported the Dara Group by offering online and in-person training and facilitating peer learning. They provided governance templates, organised Garda vetting, and gave detailed feedback on the group鈥檚 preparation plan to help anticipate the family鈥檚 needs.
Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the group found creative ways to fundraise. Their first major initiative, a sea swim, 鈥淒ip for Dara,鈥 raised significant funds and brought the team closer. 鈥淲e swam in Killiney one Saturday morning, it was a fantastic day. Although we had been up and running for a few months, in some ways it felt like the start of the project and was a bonding moment for the group.鈥 Corporate donations, support from personal networks and their community helped them raise 鈧25,000 in total.
Securing a home proved challenging鈥攗ntil a local religious order stepped forward with a derelict lodge. With the help of a group member with property management skills, the home was renovated and ready by December 2022. That鈥檚 when the group met the Shahab family鈥擣arid, Sweeta, and their young son, Aria鈥攆or the first time. 鈥淲hen we got to the new kitchen, Sweeta turned to me and hugged me, and we were both very emotional. I knew that the (Emergency Reception and Orientation) centre had been a challenging place to be, and it was clear this was a momentous day for the family鈥.
Since then, the group has supported the family in every step of their new life in Ireland鈥攆rom English lessons, to helping with healthcare appointments and celebrating milestones.
鈥淲e were all so excited when we saw a picture of Aria (age 3) in his uniform starting Montessori last October. It really felt like such a huge step for the family and for Aria on their integration journey.鈥
For Ann and the group, the impact has been profound. 鈥淲e all feel we have learnt so much. About Afghanistan, about what it means to be a refugee, about the challenges of integration.鈥
To others thinking about getting involved, her advice is: 鈥淭here is a bit of work involved but I found it hugely rewarding and lots of fun! I would certainly recommend it as an initiative to get involved in without any hesitation.鈥
