Meath language scheme to be extended nationwide

Failte Isteach, the Meath based community project involving older people volunteering their time to teach conversational English to new migrants, is set to be extended nationwide. The move comes following a significant donation by the Iris O"Brien Foundation which will enable similar programmes to be established in towns and villages throughout Ireland. An initiative developed by Mary Nally, chairperson of the voluntary organisation Third Age Foundation, Failte Isteach was established two years ago in Summerhill and has now provided basic language support to over 100 people from 19 different countries who have come to live in Ireland . Lord Mayor of Dublin, Eibhlin Byrne, held a reception in the Mansion House yesterday (Tuesday) to announce the drive to establish Failte Isteach programmes in towns and villages throughout the country. The donation received from the Iris O"Brien Foundation has funded the appointment of a development officer who will work with local communities to establish Failte Isteach projects throughout the country. In addition, a manual has been produced with the support of Age and Opportunity which will assist local communities to establish programmes. In 2006, classes began with six students from Eastern Europe and, within a year, approximately 70 people had progressed from no English to basic, intermediate and, in some cases, advanced-level English. Each week, a topic is chosen for discussion from everyday situations such as 'visiting the doctor' or 'shopping' to more complex, practical lessons based on 'form filling', for example. Failte Isteach also operates a homework club for schoolchildren while some younger students also attend the classes with their parents. Local employers in Summerhill recognise the value of what the volunteers are doing and have sent some of their staff along to improve their language skills. Failte Isteach volunteers are now working with students from Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Argentina, France, Germany, Moldova, Ukraine, Latvia, Algeria, Brazil, Slovakia, China, Spain, Czech Republic, Holland, Hungary, Sweden and Uzbekistan. Mr Byrne said: 'Older people often undervalue their contribution to programmes like Failte Isteach and yet many of the older generation understand better than most the pain and loneliness of emigration. 'I would say to our older people - you are uniquely placed to help our new communities to integrate. Don"t wait for someone to ask; I would urge you to participate in any way you can.' Mary Nally said said: 'The Failte Isteach programme in Summerhill, Co Meath, has had an enormous positive impact on both volunteers and migrants. Not only have migrants improved their conversational English but our older volunteers have made many new friends and shared so much about our culture while learning about the cultures of migrants. 'The project embodies inclusion and active citizenship while building stronger social and community bonds and life-long friendships.' Mr Denis O"Brien, Chairman of the Irish O"Brien Foundation, said the Failte Isteach programme is an exemplary way to promote social inclusion for migrants but also to showcase the important contribution older people in Ireland can and do make to Irish society. He said: 'The commitment that Mary Nally and all the volunteers have is incredible - the energy, vitality and sense of citizenship that they have is infectious. Establishing Failte Isteach projects throughout the country can only be beneficial to both migrants and older people by promoting a sense of community, inclusion and belonging which is so vital in Ireland today'.