Waterford New Communities Network launched at City Hall

There was a very large attendance of new immigrant communities in Waterford for a special gathering for the launch of the new communities’ network on Wednesday last in the Large Room, City Hall.

The idea for the event came from Hungarian woman Csilla Czelvikker, who works with Waterford Council. She was in touch with Monica Rudi Kent from Italy, who is married to an Irishman and living here for over 30 years. She described coming to Waterford back in the 1990s, which at the time was a mono-culture and has since evolved into a city and county of many different cultures.

The intention is to avoid immigrant ghettos, which have sprung up in the UK and France and to have more inclusive culture here, where young people grow up in partnership in a new multicultural society.

Csilla and Monica had the basis of an idea without any funds but managed to bring the idea forward with the help of expat communities and the Waterford Area Partnership and Council.

A panel spoke of their experiences in Waterford and how they came here. Monica, acting as a very capable MC, introduced the Metropolitan Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Jody Power.

He mentioned his own emigrant experience studying as a lone Irishman in UK marine education and thereafter, working in the UK and in the USA, working with people from other cultures. He said he understands the immigrant experience and the benefits. He said we should celebrate the richness of our cultural tapestry and reaffirm our collective dedication to building a stronger, more cohesive community for all who call Waterford home.

This initiative started from a humble beginning during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the Slice of Culture Festival taking place in 2020. Like Africa Day events, it showcased a number of communities in Waterford, helped shape the Waterford New Communities Network and showed what can be achieved with open hearts and minds.

It is a symbol of shared commitment to building bridges, breaking down barriers and forging meaningful connections between the Irish host and the new communities. People feel valued and respected and are empowered to contribute to the social, cultural and economic fabric of Waterford.

Liam Quinn of Waterford Partnership explained how resources are available, backing up the Mayor’s comments on it. They helped facilitate housing and integrating the Ukrainian community since the war two years ago.

The intention with the new group is to facilitate opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and mutual understanding. Ireland is a great country for volunteering, with Waterford alone having 700 people covering, sport, culture and many other groups. He encouraged immigrants to get involved in volunteering. They also assist in language skills for example with Ukrainians and Africans. Health and well ness workshops are done too.

Elsie Bible of the Philippines said that there are now 2000 people from her country working in the South East region, mainly in the health service. They feel at home here and have their own gatherings despite being a long way from home, and aim to raise their families here. They have helped raise money for the Solas Centre and do other charity work as well as being involved in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Many came here with nurses’ Visas and now are allowed to bring partners after a few years and become Irish citizens.

Olina Pidorprygora spoke of her experience training and working in the pharmaceutical industry several years prior to the Russo-Ukrainian War, having settled here over ten years ago. She now assists in helping with the new Ukrainian community coming here and assisted in setting up choir the Ukrainian Emeralds. Singing is good for their mental health and they even composed a song in English and their own language for the county and city of Waterford. Borsch soup is their national dish  and they are grateful to Waterford and Ireland for hosting them.

Senthil Ramasamy of South India, spoke about the Tamils. The Indian community has grown much in recent years to fill vacancies in the HSE and UHW with many coming from the Kerala area of South India. Many work in the Cherry Ward in cancer care.

Rita from the Brazilian community in Waterford spoke for their community. They like to get involved in sports and St. Patrick’s Day events, plus coffee morning fundraisers.  The Nigerians are also involved in local sports and cultural events with fundraising events too for local charities.

Kyle Butler of WLRFM compered a panel discussion for the event, with speakers from the various communities discussing their lives here. Farid Ahmad spoke on behalf of Afghans here and spoke of how he learned English and trained at WIT. There are now a few hundred here and they are learning English, overcoming language barriers, and getting involved in St. Patrick’s Day events and community activities. Cricket is one of their sports and they go to community centres also. Some of his countrymen work in catering and take away food.

I met Riham from Sudan, who is an artist here in Waterford and has also worked in the food sector. Another speaker was from the Pakistan overseas community in Ireland. As the mayor said, it reflected the diversity of the Waterford population and he was excited by it all and welcomed, saying “It was wonderful to have you”. 

There was a great atmosphere at the event, with the Ukrainians even signing songs for Waterford.

Many photos were taken with the Mayor. Kyle Butler did mention during the panel session the possible racism threats elsewhere in Ireland and social media comments, but Waterford expatriate community reps noted that they had little experience of that here, even after recent events in Dublin.

But as one of the speakers from the Philippines said, one should do as the Romans do and adapt to the new country and this is working well. It may be not easy at times in a foreign land for them and there is homesickness, but they are grateful for what Ireland has offered them, even if the weather is wet and cold at times.

Waterford New Communities Network launched at City Hall
article by Kieran Walsh, The Munster Express
and appeared in the edition dated 5^th March 2024.