Photos by Wanderley Massafelli
Dublin certainly has a lot to offer, but if you’re looking for something that aims to foster community and which exists outside the usual expensive social scene of the city, there’s a gap. That’s where we come in, with our monthly food event which raises funds for refugees while creating an open, inclusive and educational space for people to come together.
Firstly, who are we? Refugee and Migrant Solidarity Ireland (RAMSI) is a small non-hierarchical volunteer group. We believe in an inclusive, intercultural Ireland in which all people are welcome and where everyone is entitled to live a life of dignity. We maintain the communal memory of our own history of migration, standing in solidarity with all migrants and valuing their contribution to the development of a diverse, vibrant and sustainable Irish society. We share a similar viewpoint with the many anti-racist and migrant activist groups in Ireland such as MASI (Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland), ARN (Anti-Racism Network), ADI (Anti-Deportation Ireland). All of these groups believe that our present asylum and immigration legislation (and its implementation) is inhumane, unfair and damaging. This is especially true in regard to people living in Direct Provision, facing the threat of deportation, living undocumented or facing personal and institutional racism.
The group came together over a year ago in response to the horrific humanitarian and political crisis unfolding across Europe. The number of our fellow humans – who all had diverse personalities and hopes and dreams and fears and talents and potential – who have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean so far this year is estimated to be 4,200 (according to the International Commision on Missing Persons). Our group is made up of people from all walks of life and focuses on leading actions of solidarity (both practical and political) with those seeking refuge both in Ireland and abroad. In August 2015, a team of 53 volunteers travelled to Calais Refugee Camp laden with supplies which had been collected and donated by the people of Ireland. Since then, groups have returned to help build communal shelters, a vaccination centre, a therapy centre, a library, to do medical and teaching work, and to cement friendships. I spent a month in Calais working with the incredible women and children of the camp in the Unofficial Women and Children’s Centre and in another school teaching English to some of the men there.
In the face of this crisis it is easy to become overwhelmed and disengage. As a group we’re doing what we can, and we have to know our limits. Sadly we’re not able to change the whole world. It’s vital that solidarity with those seeking refuge goes beyond simple expressions of support such as sharing something on Facebook, saying “refugees welcome”, writing a blog, or attending a demo. These things are important, but unfortunately in this capitalist world none of that is enough. Practical solidarity is essential. Political solutions are the only way this can be changed in the long term, but our governments are so fatally slow to do anything real about this situation. Instead they allow people to suffer and die while having no option but to ‘illegally’ cross racist and oppressive borders. While our governments fail we have a duty to step up and support those on the move in a practical way.
This means raising money to support all the amazing solidarity structures which have come about to provide services and aid to those seeking refuge, while also fostering community and kindness and enacting our principles of solidarity. For us in RAMSI, this takes the form of organising a monthly fundraising dinner. The first dinner raised funds for Kesha Niya Kitchen which feeds thousands of those living in Dunkirk Refugee Camp. The second raised funds for MASI, who are campaigning for an end to Direct Provision. At each of the dinners someone from the group concerned spoke to the diners about their work, something which will hopefully continue at future events. Our next one will raise funds for the group Phone Credit for Refugees and Displaced People. So far the dinners have been really lovely, relaxed evenings with great vegan and vegetarian food cooked by the group. It’s a great way of raising vital funds, while having fun, meeting new people, chatting about all sorts of things and eating delicious food.
The next dinner is on the 30th November at 7pm. It takes place in Jigsaw (previously Seomra Spraoi) at 10 Belvedere Court. Absolutely everyone is welcome, so please come along!
