A NEW immigrant drama
will go on the road in Donegal this week to show
school children and community groups what it's like
to lose your homeland and start all over again in a
foreign country.
The play called 'Waiting...to be Irish' is part of
Donegal County Council’s programme for Social
Inclusion Week. It aims to provide a first-hand
account of the culture and lives of African
immigrants and refugees, says project co-ordinator
Maura Logue, who is the local authority's community
arts and education officer.
She said the 20-minute play is being run at Public
Service Centres across the county this week but is
on offer to any group or organisation interested in
hosting it. “We want to promote an increased
awareness about the vulnerability of displaced
persons, and offer food for thought on creating a
more inclusive community in Donegal," said Ms Logue.
'Waiting… to be Irish' is the story of two African
immigrants who engage in sometimes hilarious and
thought-provoking role-play to pass the time as they
wait – interminably - for their asylum applications
to be processed. One of the two actors in the drama
is Theo Guessela from Cameroon. Theo says it is very
hard at first when you have lost your homeland and
everything that is familiar to you.
“You don’t have your close friends, people you
trust, but eventually you find that home is where
you feel loved and accepted.” If you would like to
find out more about the play and how to host it,
contact Maura Logue on 0749724467 or by email to
maura.logue@donegalcoco.ie |