Diwali Festival

Dane Coyle - Interview

Dane Coyle completed his work-placement at the SECA office. We interviewed him on his experience.

• What was your expectation before you helped out in SECA?

” I honestly didn’t know what to expect at first, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out how much varied and interesting work SECA carried out. If anything I thought I’d be just helping an office”.

• How did you benefit from working fro SECA?

“I gained an understanding of how minorities interact with the majority. I gained a new understanding of appreciation of hat it’s like to be a minority in Northern Ireland and realised that the native population has a lot of work to do in the areas of tolerance and understanding. I also realised it was good fun helping out.”

• Do you think SECA plays a major role for the ethnic minorities on our community?

” I think SECA does play a major role in this community. More than any other group, SECA continues to push on and try to make a difference for the minorities here. I’m glad I could be a small part of it.”

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Phil Eagleston - Interview

• What were your expectations of india before you went there?

I went out with an open mind despite what I seen was there it was very warm and also very crowded, especially in chennai. Very different to what we are used to ireland. Everyone could communicate in english so this made things easier.

• How was your experience in Dennis Lillie’s MRF Fast Bowler Academy?

It was a dream come true working with a legent like Dennis Lillie, and training with all the other International Cricketeres from different countries. It ws tough going from 6.30am till 6.00pm. I improved a lot of my skills in bowling while there and also made a lot of friends who bentover backwards to make my stay comfortable and the food was excellent, I enjoyed greatly the Indian hospitality.

• How did SECA help with your trip?

Without SECA this dream of mine would not have happened. Irish national coach Phil Simmpns got in contct with Bobby Rao and told him that the Cricket Ireland did not have the funds to send me out to India. I was pleasantly surprised to learn of Bobby’s contacts in India. With in three days he arranged the funding for the Visa, myPlane tickets, and my accommodation in Chennai. After I came back from India I was picked to play my first international for Ireland. I would like to thank SECA for their determined support and for making my dream come true.

Polish Night in Strabane

Kieran McGuire, SDC Chairman, sampling Polish food on offer during SECA’s Polish night in St Pat’s Hall, with Bobby Rao, Damien and secretary Agnieszka.

Bartosz Thiede and Piotr Wisniewski playing piano and guitar repecitively.

A group of Polish children getting their faces painted by Rosie during the Polish night at St Pat’s hall, organised by SECA.

The event was organised by Agnieszka Sakowska, and she started the night off with a welcome message to those attending. Food was prepared by Katazyna Trecka & Agnieszka Sikorq, very unusual for the locals but was well-recieved. Locals were introduced to some new Polish words, such as ‘Sniadanie’, ‘Obiad’ & ‘Kolacja’ meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner respectively.

The food and performers were well-recieved and a good time was had by all who attended this SECA event.

Knockavoe Pupils Learn of Indian Culture

Bobby Rao prepares some Indian food for Year eight and nine pupils at Knockavoe School and Resource Centre, Strabane, with Sonya McGill, Jennifer Maybin, Louise Crawford and Wendy Scullion, RC2034 

As part of learning about local and global citizenship, Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils of Knockavoe School are learning about community comunity celebrations. Bobby Rao, development officer of SECA, has been giving multi-sensory lessons to Knockavoe pupils about Diwali and Indian culture. Pupils have listened to Indian music, tasted Indian food and learned some Indian dancing.

“It is very important, as part of the revised curriculum, that our pupils learn to work and think of others in our community. Knockavoe pupils have enjoyed the interactive way Bobby has done this,” said Julie Murphy, acting principal.

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.”

Strabane Celebrates its First Diwali Festival

Strabane was the weekend venue for the North West’s first celebration of the Diwali Festival. Two hundred people gathered in St Pat’s Hall to celebrate the holiday, which brings together the one billion plus population in India and others around the world. Diwali is a five day festival of enthusiasm and joy, celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Traditional customs include the lighting of lamps (diwas), prayer (pooja), feasting and the exchange of sweets. Hindus believe it is a time for renewal and hope for success, prosperity and happiness in life. Also known as the Festival of Lights, the holiday was an opportunity for the Strabane community as a whole to come together in a celebration of cultural diversity.

The large crowd present, which included members of Strabane’s growing multicultural community, members of local community groups and the Council Chairman enjoyed an evening of ecletic live entertainment and Indian cuisine, courtesy of Masala restaurant.

    

Chandini Guram and Natasha Sharma performing Traditional Indian and Bollywood dancing.

Compere for the evening, Vijay Elangovan, explained the festival and its global significance. Dr Narenda Babu Koyyalamudi, Chairman of SECA, told those gathered, “I’d like to welcome everyone to our small party here. Tonight we celebrate the multicultural society that we have become. I’d like to thank all who were involved in organising tonight’s event and Strabane Council, who have always been supportive of all projects like this,” he said.

Council Chairman, Jarlath McNulty, added, “This evening aims to promote racial harmony and good relations between local residents and those from other countries. By bringing everyone together we are highlighting the benefits of cultural diversity.

“The Indian community have long been resident here and we are delighted to be invited to share this festival with them. Diwali is the most important event in their year and occassions like this greatly help us understand each other’s cultures.”

Dr Narenda Babu Koyyalamudi of SECA and SDC Chairman Jarlath McNulty lighting candles together at the festival.

Both he and Dr Koyyalamudi lit the traditional Diwali lamp. The evening’s entertainment included special performances from the Pop Tap Dance Academy, Bollywood dancer Natasha Sharma and Chandini Guram, who performed a traditional Indian dance. The Artsekta Fusion Band rounded off the night with their unique blend of world music.

   

Michael Lafferty, Public Relations Officer for SECA, heralded the evening a great success: “It has been one of the most successful events of our calendar year, well supported by the community groups and our members. I would like to thank the Council, our members, all the performers, the staff of St Patrick’s Hall and the Department of Social Development for their support.”

SECA Gives Indian Chefs English Lessons

Chefs from the Masala restaurant taking English classes at the SECA offices.  Pictured are Rukmagat Aryal, Hukum Bahadhurkc, Reskham Laisubedi and Parusuran Poudel.

These chefs from local Indian restaurant Masala are being prepared for the IELTS by SECA, with new legislation coming in shortly requiring all Asian immigrants to have a qualification in English to have their visa renewed.  SECA has organised English classes to help the chefs stay in business and continue to support the local community.