Ballina welcome

MAKING MUSIC Members of Ballina’s new Karen community performing at the special function in their honour, held in the Ballina Family Resource Centre.  Pic: John O’Grady

Big Ballina welcome for Karen Group

Anna-Marie Flynn

THE BURMESE Karen Group were treated to a warm Ballina welcome last week when the local Karen Cáirde Group hosted a three-hour event at the Family Resource Centre in the town.
The north Mayo town is home to a host of families who were introduced to the locality after spending an eight-week induction term in the Ballyhaunis Orientation and Training Centre. 
The group formerly lived in an isolated refugee camp on Burma’s border with Thailand.
Local councillor Johnnie O’Malley said the Karen Group went to great lengths to present aspects of their own culture and wore their traditional dress for Saturday’s occasion.
Mayor Padraig Moore addressed those in attendance, as did Deputy Dara Calleary, which really added to the sense of occasion.
The two cultures were emphasised as part of the whole day as entertainment was provided by Peter Neary and the Bofield Céilí Band and the refreshments provided were traditionally Burmese.
It was particularly nice to see the school mates of the Karen Group show up in large numbers and that really made the day for everyone.” he said.
The group was presented with a merit award for its involvement in this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballina.
All the families are currently enrolled in intensive English classes and are involved in several projects in a bid to become integrated into the wider community.