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.

Child Protection Training

A day course on Child Protection was organised by SECA and delivered by Geoff Hunter on the 25th June, held at SECA offices. Pictured here are the participating SECA members along with members from the local community.

Visit to Stormont (June 23rd)

Members of SECA and FountainStreet enjoyed a guided tour of Stormont recently. During their tour, the group met with, amongst others, Ian Paisley Jr. and Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister Gregory Campbell. The group where accompanied on their trip by Sinn Fein MP Pat Doherty, local councillor Michael Boyle and Bobby Rao.

The group meets Ian Paisley Junior.

SECA Reads to Children in Polish

SECA and Good Relations Department representatives pictured with students from Newtonstewart primary schools.

On June 13th SECA members travelled to Newtonstewart library to read to children from local primary schools in Polish, pictured below is Agnieszka Sakowskie

SECA Gives Diversity Training at Strabane Grammar

Bobby Rao presents Stephen Birkett of SGS a Multi-Faith calender on behalf of SECA, pictured with members of Year 8.

On June 9th Bobby Rao completed another of his many Diversity Training Days, becoming more and more popular with schools and students as the issues of diversity and tolerance become more prominent.

This was followed up by another training day, this time with the Year 9’s on the 18th of June, pictured SECA member Natalia Palacz.

Concerned About Suicide

On the 9th April Strabane Ethnic Community Association organised an evening to raise awareness about the issues surrounding suicide at Alley Theatre. Chairman of SECA Dr. Nari Babu welcomed every one. It was well attended with a mixture of ethnic and local people and few families who lost their loved ones, which was very informative and heart moving. The three speakers were excellent.

  SECA representatives with guests.

Barry Mc Gale of Western Health & Social Trust said when someone dies by suicide many people are affected such as families’ friends and work colleagues.

It is important to communicate and address with the concerned person or people and never take things lightly. It’s a mental block, we should try and move the block to a different area to help but all too often no one knows where to turn to for information and support. (Barry has distributed information leaflet contact number.)

Reverend Noel presenting Barry Mc Gale with a memento.

Speaker Ann McGarrigle from Suicide Support Group who lost her son to suicide said coming here to talk and sharing her experience as a mother to bring hope and belonging to the people who lost their love ones and not to shy away from seeking help.

Vin McCullagh, playwright of ‘Why am I?’, spoke about his true story of attempts to deal with manic depression, mental illness and his personal battle in dealing with the threat of suicide. Vin offers a unique insight into the battle against mental illness which is now increasingly being diagnosed and openly discussed in society today.

SECA Chairman Dr Nari Babu presenting Ann McGarrigle with a memento.

Bobby Rao, SECA development officer, thanked the three speakers and said they were excellent in giving courage and strength to people who think it’s a stigma when they lose their loved ones to suicide.

If you need any help or support, call:

Ann McGarrigle - 02871278709 OR 07738057129

Barry McGale - 02871865127

Sad Day For SECA

The body of Hungarian Zoltan Szabo, tragically killed recently in a road accident, will be flown home to his heartbroken parents this weekend. Mr Szabo had only been in Ireland eight months and had been working with a local construction company. He lived in Sion Mills with his brother Attilia and his fiancee Monica.

Paying tribute to Mr Szabo, Bobby Rao of SECA said: “It is a very sad time for both families caught up in this terrible tragedy. Our prayers are with his family and the ethnic group has contributed to his return home.”

Zoltan’s friends and family with Bobby Rao.

Presbyterian Minister Nigel Craig along with his Hungarian wife have been working with the Hungarian community and are stunned at Mr Szabo’s death. “My wife has been working with the council for Ethnic Minorities for several years as an interpreter so she has been the go-between since Zoltan’s death. His death has come as such a shock for the Hungarian community and in particular, Zoltan’s fiancee of seven years, Monica.”

Our thoughts and sympathies are with Zoltan’s friends and family at this unhappy time.

Health Education - Breast Cancer Awareness Night

The information session on being breast aware and the importance of cervical and breast screening took place for SECA, as part of International Womens’ Day and as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal program. The event was held at the Fir Trees Hotel on 6th March 2008. The women attending the evening event recieved information on being breast cancer aware, a chance to use the breast cancer training model and to recieve information on cervical and breast screening.

The session was organised by SECA in conjunction with the Health Promotion Department and the Western Social Care Trust . The session received extremely positive feedback, with all participants reporting an increased understanding of the importance of being breast aware and attendance at cervical and breast appointments.

Bobby Rao, Development Officer, said it was a very successful evening and hopes to organise similar events in the future.

For more information on breast cancer call the Breast Screening Unit at Altnagelvin Hospital on 02871 611363 or 02871 611443.

Knockavoe pupils get best out of Strabane

Strabane employers are supporting Knockavoe pupils as they study employability as part of the  new revised curriculum.  Dominic McCallion completed his year’s work experience at MacFadden’s Newsagent this year, the proprietor is Seamus MacFadden.

Julian Gawley and Marc McLaughlin completed their year’s work experience at Better Deals, with proprietors Una and Gary McLaughlin. Julian Gawley completed another work placement at the Your Store.

School principal Dorothy Kincaid would like to thank all employers for their support and understanding. Bobby Rao, the Development Worker for Strabane’s Ethnic Community Association, came to the school to talk to the students about the Indian way of life. Mr Rao presented the school with an ethnic calendar. In turn, student Steven McDevitt presented Mr Rao with a painted canvas on behalf of the pupils of Knockavoe School.

Multi-Lingual Leaflet Launch

A close association between Strabane Grammar School and Strabane Ethnic Community Association led to the creation of a leaflet by a young school student, which will act as the first port of call for foreign workers arriving into the district.

Grammar student Dane Coyle worked along side SECA as part of a work experience placement. Along side other projects, he produced a revamped version of SECA’s community leaflet, which provides helpful information in nine languages. The use of national flags and an easy-to-use design layout make the leaflet accessible and easy to understand.

The young man’s work was hailed by SECA Chairman, Bobby Rao, as well as Ruth Hopkins of Strabane Grammar, who is a linguist herself. Commending Dane’s practical use of various languages she said: “Here in Strabane Grammar we recognise the importance of promoting mutual respect and tolerance amongst our pupils”. “We aim to develop an awareness, knowledge and regard for other cultures and societies, and to educate the young people in our care to take their place confidently in today’s increasingly multi-cultural society, and achieve employment in today’s global economy,” she added.

The school’s association with SECA began two years ago, around the theme of problems impacting local society at the time. SECA highlighted the growing problem of racism, which was becoming increasingly common around Northern Ireland, especially in the Belfast area. Bobby Rao was subsequently invited to the school to share his thoughts on the subject and his own experiences of living in the community