Migrant exhibition gives personal insights on refugee plight

Áine Ryan

Minister of State AodhΡn Ó RíordΡin has said no ‘upper limit’ must be placed on the number of refugees accepted in Ireland, as this crisis is an evolving ‘emergency’.
The Labour Minister for State at the Department of Justice’s remarks were made in Castlebar yesterday (Wednesday), the day before Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald announced that Ireland will take in 4,000 refugees as part of the country’s response to the current crisis.
Mr Ó RíordΡin was in Castlebar to launch an exhibition, entitled ‘Migrant Women – Shared Experiences’ in the National Museum of Ireland: Country Life.
Through the film and an array of precious belongings brought on migrant journeys, the exhibition tells the story of eight migrant women from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. Curator, Rosa Meehan also juxtaposes these contemporary experiences with those of Irish women who fled the Great Famine in coffin ships.
“At this moment, we must stand up and accept these refugees and respond in a humane way to the thousands who want to come here and not put an upper limit on it,” Mr Ó RíordΡin said.

Direct Provision shortcomings
Mr Ó RíordΡin's criticisms of the shortcomings of the Direct Provision system were echoed by some of the women whose dramatic stories are told in the exhibition.
Phaw Shee and her daughter Say Law La (13) are from the Karen community of Burma-Myanmar. They spent several years in Ban Don Yang refugee camp before coming to Ireland under a refugee programme. The family arrived with all their belongings in a striped plastic bag which is now part of the exhibition.
“We stayed for six weeks in Ballyhaunis in the reception centre there, and then moved to Casltebar. I am in second year in school now in Davitt College, and want to be a nurse. I just wish that the Syrians and others fleeing their countries are offered the same as us: a place to live and a safe environment,” Say Law La said.
The road to freedom and Irish citizenship was a longer one for Kany Kazadi, who fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo for political reasons.
“I was in a direct-provision hostel in Ballyhaunis for four years. If I could talk to the Taoiseach I would say: ‘Please do not put these poor people in direct-provision hostels’.  People must be integrated quickly and not locked up in these hostels. We have so much to contribute to Irish society. I am a proud Mayo woman now,” she said.   
Mr Tony Candon, the manager keeper of the museum said: “The opening of the exhibition now is very timely with so much attention focused by the world’s media on the movement of millions of people fleeing from the Middle East and Africa and seeking sanctuary in Europe.  As well as the factual reporting, there is also much commentary on how migrants are being treated and how they should be received. Our exhibition provides a context in which to explore the issues.”
Rosa Meehan praised the ‘amazing women’ who ‘shared their story through objects of significance to them and through memories of their mothers told on film’. 
“Their participation has helped us as a community to engage in a conversation about interculturalism,” she said.

MORE On Friday night next, September 18, Culture Night celebrations will embrace a migrant theme, from 7 to 9pm, with music and song from a number of traditions.