SECA joins St Patrick’s Day Parade

This year Strabane Ethnic Community Association took part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade for the very first time.

Pictured below are members of SECA on their own float.

SECA team up with Strabane Fire and Rescue

Strabane’s Fire and Rescue community team recently visited up to 300 homes in Strabane and the Glebe, in a bid to raise awareness about fire hazards in the home. Local officers worked closely with SECA as they visited occupants from the community’s ethnic minorities, advising them on potential fire hazards and safety in the home. A number of fire alarms were also fitted free of charge during the one-day initiative. While the scheme has been operational for two years, there is still very little awareness of it in the region. The recent effort by local fire safety officers follows a fire in a house occupied by members of the local ethnic community over a month ago – an incident which Richard Mortimore, Strabane’s crew commander, stressed could have been easily avoided with a fire alarm.

Vice-chairperson Damien Preiable with Richard Mortimore and the fire safety team

Describing the initative as ‘very successful’, chairman of SECA, Bobby Rao, said it also generated interest among local residents. “There were a few local people there who didn’t know about the hazards and safety and they were asking about it”, he said. “It was a great success.” Mr Mortimore added: “It was a very, very successful event. We were recieved with open arms by the community and we got good feedback from the community. A lot of other people asked us about it and we have taken names and addresses which will be followed up.”

Mr Mortimore has called for more awareness of the potentially life-saving visits, which are free of charge to the public. Anyone interested in this service can call the Home Fire Safety Unit on 92600477 to make an appointment.

SECA presents Interfaith Calendar to Strabane Council Chairman

Chairman Jarlath McNulty has united with SECA to support the 2009 Interfaith Calendar. The calendar represents fourteen religious communities; American Indian, Anglican, Bahai, Buddhism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Mormonism, Orthodox Christianity, Protestantism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism.

Diya Guram and other SECA members presenting Jarlath McNulty with an Interfaith Calendar.

Speaking after being presented with the calendar by Bobby Rao, Mr McNulty said:
“This calendar is a valuable tool to raise awareness of the different religious communities evident in today’s multicultural society. It is extremely informative and has the potential to promote mutual respect among cultural, racial and religious communities. I trust that this calendar is widely distributed and I do hope that it instills in all readers, an appreciation of the diversity within our society and an acknowledgement that this diversity can be society’s greatest strength.”