A CHRISTMAS toy campaign has been launched in Donegal to bring some festive joy to those living in Direct Provision.
The drive to collect toys for young people living in Direct Provision in Donegal is part of a wider campaign by the campaign group Abolish Direct Provision Ireland.
There are 2,100 children living in Direct Provision centres around Ireland and Abolish Direct Provision Ireland aims to give a gift to every child.
The local prong of the humanitarian project is being spearheaded by three friends – Eve Li, Zara Ní Dhúbhdaigh and Megan Reid.
Meghan says she hopes the appeal will put a smile on faces that otherwise will have little to celebrate come Christmas Day.
“I got involved with Abolish Direct Provision Ireland because, in Donegal especially, more awareness needs to be raised on the awful system of Direct Provision and why it needs to be abolished.
“The system is destructive to the physical and mental health of thousands of asylum seekers and people are left in the system for up to 15 years with few opportunities to build their future.
“It is a shameful aspect of our society which the government has wrongfully stood by for the past 20 years. This Christmas appeal will bring some much needed happiness to the children living in Direct Provision this Christmas.”
Eve Li said that often asylum seekers are denied the most basic of human rights.
“Awareness needs to be made of the living conditions experienced by asylum seekers, including children and teenagers in Direct Provision Centres around Ireland.
“In most centres around Ireland asylum seekers are not afforded the most basic of human rights.”
The third party involved in the toy appeal, Zara Ní Dhúbhdaigh, added, “I want to abolish Direct Provision because it epitomises our worst failings as a society – it dehumanises the most vulnerable, it is racist, cruel and unnecessary.”
Donors are asked to avoid purchasing items which could retraumatise children, gifts such as toy guns.
The organisers are looking for toy donations or school supplies for those aged between 0-12 and gift vouchers for those aged 13-17. Gift vouchers such as One 4 All (www.one4alldigital.ie) are particularly welcome.
If you are based in the Cloughaneely area, you can drop off donations to the Pobail Le Chéile charity shop Siopa Pobail (labelled for ADPI Christmas Appeal) on Fridays between 11am and midday or Wednesdays from 11am and 2pm up until December 1.
If you are in the Letterkenny area, you can drop donations off to the Donegal Volunteer Centre. Drop off day at Donegal Volunteer Centre is December 1 between 10am and 4pm. Deadline for donations is December 7.
“Any toy and gift voucher donations would be really appreciate and will bring much needed joy to children in Direct Provision this Christmas,” added Meghan.
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