Family picnic organised by the South Dublin Migrant Forum

OVER 50 people attended a family picnic organised by the South Dublin Migrant Integration Forum (SDMIF) last Saturday, where people from a variety of countries shared aspects of their culture.

Members of a number of groups attended the event in Tymon Park, including people from the Venezuela Community Ireland, Integration of All Children in Ireland, the Romanian Community of Ireland, the Irish Bongs and the Fettercairn Diverse Women’s Group.

Yemi Ojo, the vice-chair of the SDMIF, organised the event with her colleagues Liliana Fernandez Carruci, the chairperson of the group, and the group’s financial secretary, Sudeep Sanyal.

Yemi told The Echo: “The atmosphere was very friendly, happy and fun. We all brought varieties of native food from our different countries and we shared.

“The parents and children were playing together, and the parents and all the adults were having fun and lots of laughter, especially during the balloon activities and the raffle.

“I coordinated the event as the vice-chair, with support from the financial secretary of the SDMIF because the chairperson was unavoidably absent.

“The credit for the event should go to the executives, and the South Dublin Social Inclusion Unit who donated gift vouchers for each group member represented.”

The family picnic was a successful event overall and allowed migrant groups in South Dublin County to strengthen ties with each other.

“Both adults and children made new friends, and learned and tasted different native food,” said Yemi.

“The family picnic has a positive impact on participants’ emotional well-being as well. Two-and-a-half-years of lockdown due to the Covid pandemic was way too long.

“People are very happy to get out of the house with their children to have a good time. Already, participants are looking forward to the next time we’ll hold the family picnic.”