Bringing Christmas cheer to children in Direct Provision

The community group, Direct Provision Cork Events, is seeking donations from the generous people of Cork to help them present and provide parties for children living in Direct Provision centres this Christmas.

The group have set up a GoFundMe page, with the aim of raising €10,000. Their hope is that every child in Direct Provision will receive a gift and some festive cheer over the holiday season.

Sinéad Mulry, who created the GoFundMe page says the group have been organising these community events every year since Direct Provision centres existed.

“We organise Christmas parties for, now eleven, Direct Provision centres, last year it was seven. We do this so these children can have Christmas presents. UCC lecturers, students, and friends organise the events, collaborating with charities like Saoirse - Ethnic Hands on Deck. It is known that DP centres don't have the best living conditions and these parties help the families,” she said.

“We came together because we want to give a helping hand and show our solidarity with people living in Direct Provision. We want the people to have some sense of community while they go through that system,” she added.

With the money that is raised, each of the over 400 children in centres in the city and county will have the opportunity to choose a present of their choice.

“We get a present for every single of those children along with a voucher, and I tailor them myself so the gift is appropriate for the child. It’s €5 and you’d be surprised how far that goes,” said Sinéad.

There are two big parties planned, with one in the Aula Maxima in UCC on 2 December and smaller parties which will take place in Direct Provision centres. Sinead says that feedback from parents is always positive and the children really enjoy their day out. “The kids abcolutely love the parties, there’s a balloon man, face painting, a band or a DJ. It’s great fun and it helps them to feel normal for a day.”

Sinéad explains that most parents and guardians living in Direct Provision have next-to-no resources. The centres where they live are isolated from local communities, making it difficult for the residents to integrate. “The parents may not be able to provide a present for the children. They are living in old hotels which have been converted to centres,” she says.

“We intend to ensure that a little seasonal light and warmth is brought to these families, through providing each child with a present and each family with festive fare through these parties,” she added.

Although Sinéad explains that they usually reach their goal of €10,000 eventually, they heavily rely on public donations. At time of writing, they have raised €4,000.

“The funding enables us to buy the vouchers, make-up, Santa sacks for each child, order food and beverages for each party, help pay for entertainment, make payment for transport to and from centres, and buy some more entertainment if we have enough funds,” she said.

If you’d like to donate, go to GoFundMe.com.