Na hOscars – Thuas seal Thíos seal!

The Oscars - you win some, you lose some!

by | 2023/03/22 | Current Affairs, International News, National News

The Oscars - you win some, you lose some!

The Oscars could hardly be worse this year than they were last year. That's what I thought a few days ago, anyway. Unfortunately, they were much worse in my opinion, (at least) from the point of view of our country. Why? Well, we only won two Oscars out of the 14 nominations we received! Then to add insult to injury we received mental abuse before and at the Oscar ceremony.

Although 'The Banshees of Inisherin' received 9 nominations, the film did not win any Oscars. 'The Quiet Girl' did not win the Oscar for the best international feature film either, as the film 'All Quiet on the Western Front' from Germany won that Oscar. And Paul Mescal didn't win the Oscar for best actor in the movie 'Aftersun', because Brendan Fraser (in the movie 'The Whale') won that Oscar.

But, every cloud has a silver lining...

It is a sign of the significant progress in the film industry in Ireland that the two Oscars we won were a disappointment to some of us! The 14 nominations showed the full range of talent in the country in acting, directing, editing, composing and filming - not only in English, but in Irish too!

Richard Baneham's second Oscar win in the special effects category for his work on Avatar: The Way of Water' shows that Ireland's technical skills are at the highest level. 'An Irish Goodbye' showcased the depth and breadth of talent available in Ireland, as well as the gift of originality. When the Oscar audience sang 'Happy Birthday' to actor James Martin, it was a special celebration! James is the first person with Down syndrome to ever win an Oscar!

Ivan Martin (James' father) said: "I remember the person who said to me a long time ago: 'Look Mr Martin, you have to understand that James will never talk' And here we are now! "James doesn't just talk, but from the moment he started talking, he hasn't stopped since," Ivan told BBC Radio Ulster.

Special mention must be made of that wonderful film 'An Cailín Ciúin', the first Irish language film ever to reach this ceremony. With that, Irish-language filmmaking has achieved an important goal. CINE4 (a partnership with TG4, the Irish Film Board (BSE) and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI)) played a key role as the main financier in this significant development. It's a strong confirmation of how important funding is to make progress like that - otherwise, it wouldn't happen.

Mental abuse!

On the Saturday before the Oscars, there was a 'comedy sketch' on the program 'Saturday Night Live', with Molly Kearny and Mikey Day as Farrell and Gleeson. The clip of them was posted online, which showed the pair speaking unintelligible English to each other until they walked out, and then one of the presenters saying: “Wow! They haven't even started drinking yet.”

The sketch was criticized for being offensive and derogatory in the way it portrayed Irish stereotypes. Actor Alan Mehdizadeh wrote on Twitter: “Well done SNL! You managed to make fun of an entire nation, and of someone who was engaged in a very public battle with alcohol, and you managed to do it without even being funny."

"..the 1980s called and they want their stereotypical Irish jokes back," said another commenter. Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee shared the clip on Twitter with the words: "Yeah, it's pretty good" and an emoji showing her displeasure at the end.

Even at the Oscar ceremony itself, the presenter, Jimmy Kimmel, was joking (in the same way). He opened the ceremony by saying: “We have nominated people from all over Dublin. Five Irish actors have been nominated tonight, which greatly increases the chances of another fight on stage.”

Later, Kimmel read a 'fan question' from a viewer who said he loved Farrell's performance, but didn't understand what he was saying. Farrell replied: "Watch SNL last night and you'll have a good clue." Kimmel was criticized on social media and the press for those negative things he was saying.

Conclusion

Although 'Saturday Night Live' and Jimmy Kimmel threw anti-Irish insults about, we should be positive about things. It is a source of national pride that we received 14 nominations and two Oscars, including the first for someone with Down syndrome. It's great to see an Irish language film competing at an international level as well - that's a good sign of hope for the language. We will have another day at the Oscars!

Ceist na nDíolúintí!

The question of exemptions!

by | 2022/10/19 | Current Affairs, National News, Politics

The question of exemptions!

I was in the Castle gardens the other day; stretched out completely from head to tail, relaxed and peacefully drinking in golden sun, when I heard the sharp, ear-splitting whistle, a whistle that woke me up from my sleep suddenly! But I realized in an instant who was to me, as who else but my old friend, Séimí an Droichid, would do the likes inside the heavenly gardens of the Castle. I welcomed him, and made a place for him beside me on the garden bench.

“Sit there beside me on this bench” I said to him, politely.

“Thank you very much,” he said, “and isn’t this a wonderful place you chose to meditate?”

“You said it my friend, but do you have any news on this blessed day?”

“I only have the story that is on the lips of every Irish speaker these days.”

“And what is his story?” I said, trying to provide a story telling opportunity to mad Séimí, as it seemed to me that he had some story to tell.

The Language Question

“You have probably noticed that a series of meetings of the Irish Joint Committee on the exemptions system is currently taking place?” said Séimí.

“I didn’t! Is there a big problem with our current system of exemptions, Séimí?” I wanted to develop an understanding on this topic.

“A very big problem, and if things continue like this, we won’t have a living language before long. There have been those unsupportive of the status of our language for a long time. There was a movement against the Irish language called “Language Freedom Movement” in the nineteen sixties, for example. The result of their campaign was the abolition of the requirement for civil servants to speak Irish since 1974. As a result, there were only 16 employees to deal with the Irish-speaking community in 2018 – a disgrace!”

“But,” I said, “the main goal of the Languages ​​Act 2021 is for 20% of new public service recruits to be competent in Irish before the end of 2030. Isn’t that a good thing?” I asked Séimí this question, seeking an antidote to his negative attitude towards the language.

Three steps back…

“Three steps back, and then only one step forward!” answered Séimí. “And these exemptions are just another step backwards. Initially, these exemptions were for exceptional cases – for pupils with special needs. But after a while, those rules were relaxed, and now quite a few parents are taking advantage of the flexibility of the rules, in order to get an exemption for their children – children who would not have a problem learning Irish, because more than half of them are learning other languages ​​without any question of exemption.”

“But maybe with the right management a scheme like this would work, wouldn’t it?” I said, asking Séimí the probing question.

“Whatever the Department of Education is doing, the scheme is not working well at all. And I’m not alone in that thought. Declan Glynn, assistant general secretary of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI), said that the system currently in place is “flawed and unsatisfactory”, and that it is now so easy to get an exemption that anyone would be forgiven for thinking it was mainly an automatic process.

Other representatives attending the meetings agreed with the opinion that there should be a curriculum for all students at whatever level of ability they are at and questioned the right to use ‘stress’ or ‘specific language learning disability’ as an excuse to demand an exemption. They are right, in my opinion, Michael, and this problem needs to be solved soon.”

“Well, Sam, I have to agree with you, because it’s clear you’ve done your homework well on the subject, and I didn’t have my eyes on that ball at all. Thanks for being patient with me, and I hope our government will do the right thing and put much stricter rules in place!”

“Me too! Nice to meet you in this wonderful place, Michael, as we discuss important matters together in Irish!

With that, Séimí left without delay, and I was left to my own devices with a new topic to with important matters for my consideration!

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Praiseach Déanta ag Aer Lingus

Mess made by Aer Lingus

by | 2022/09/28 | Current Affairs, National News

Two weeks before our flights back to the United States, United Airlines sent me an e-mail saying that they had made a change to the reservation. They changed our first flight (on Aer Lingus) from noon to 6:00 A.M., so that we would have seven hours in Heathrow before the second flight. Damn it – could they make a change like that without my permission? Seriously!

I called United Airlines, and an agent came on the line quickly. She was helpful, and made another reservation for us with no issue – the first flight to Chicago (on United) at noon, and an hour later the second flight (on United) to Los Angeles. We preferred the new arrangements, for two reasons. In the first place, we would avoid Heathrow airport. Second, our luggage would have a better chance of arrival with only one airline (United) involved.

We and our luggage reached our destination without a problem, and we were happy with United Airlines because, although we had a small problem at first, they quickly put everything right for us.

Liveline

A few days later, I was listening to Joe Duffy’s ‘Liveline’, and I was stunned when I heard about up to 9,000 passengers across Europe stranded by Aer Lingus!

The callers said Aer Lingus was nowhere to be found, to help them in their time of need. RTE itself was unable to get an Aer Lingus spokesperson as a special guest on the programme. There were a few shocking stories to hear on ‘Liveline’.

Emmett’s story

Emmet and his wife were all set to go to America on their honeymoon. They were going to fly to Heathrow first, and then from Heathrow to Miami. They had booked a cruise for the subsequent day.

They checked in without any problem, went through security and then on to the gate. At 10 A.M., a quarter of an hour before their departure time, Aer Lingus informed passengers that they were experiencing an IT( information technology) problem. Emmet heard nothing more until 4 P.M. when Aer Lingus announced that their flight had been cancelled. As a result, they missed not only their flight from Heathrow to Miami, but also their cruise. The couple had spent almost €5,000 on their travel arrangements, and were now out of pocket because of it, with no information about a refund.

The couple believe that Aer Lingus was responsible for the money they had paid, as they were the cause of the problem in the first place.

Michelle’s story

Michelle didn’t hear anything from the airline, but when she saw on social media that there were major problems with Aer Lingus flights, she immediately knew she was in trouble. Then she contacted her family and friends. When she found out that there were only three flights a week leaving Corfu, where she was staying, she knew she would have to act quickly to get home as soon as possible.

She had to book new flights with Eurowings, in order to avoid staying in Corfu for three additional days. She had to spend €850 on two tickets on Eurowings. Even when they arrived at Dublin airport, the airport was a complete mess. They were waiting almost half an hour in the plane for the boarding stairs to arrive. Then they had to sit around waiting for their luggage, as there were no baggage handlers available. The terminal was crowded with people and luggage. But they were happy and relieved to be back in Dublin.

Excuse?

Aer Lingus has finally apologized to customers who were affected when 51 flights were canceled on the weekend of 10-9-2022. A spokesman for the airline said: “We sincerely apologize to customers for the major disruption caused by problems with our computer system. Those problems have been resolved and our normal schedule is back in place”.

The airline also said that affected customers will be able to change their travel plans for free.

I hope that Aer Lingus has learned a lesson, and will be in touch with their customers to help them whenever something like this happens in the future. If Aer Lingus ignores their customers like that again, they will lose them forever!

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Todhchaí na Gaeilge

Todhchaí na Gaeilge

by | 2022/09/21 | Current Affairs, National News

Deirtear go bhfuil thart ar 7,000 teanga á labhairt ag daoine, ó cheann ceann na cruinne, ach má tá féin, deir na saineolaithe linn go gcailltear ceann de na teangacha sin gach coicís. Anois, ó tharla nach gcumtar teangacha nua, ach go hannamh, tá sé soiléir go bhfuil uimhir na dteangacha ag dul i laghad ó bhliain go bliain. Cén fáth a gcailltear na teangacha sin? Bhuel, iompaíonn pobal ó theanga amháin go teanga eile ar chúiseanna áirithe.

Concas

• Uaireanta cuireann tír amháin isteach ar thír eile trína gabháil agus a chur faoi chois, agus is é an bealach is éifeachtaí le tír a smachtú nó a teanga a bhaint di, agus teanga an ghabhálaí a chur á labhairt ina háit. Nuair a chailleann tír a teanga, cailleann sí a córas smaointe agus a bealach le breathnú ar an saol mór amuigh. Cailleann sí freisin, a misneach agus a spiorad, nó faoi mar a deireadh siad fadó: Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam!

Dul chun cinn!

• Uaireanta eile, tar éis blianta fada a bheith caite ag tír faoi sháil agus faoi bhráca lucht concais, is amhlaidh a thuigtear do phobal na tíre sin, go bhféadfaidís dul chun cinn níos mó a dhéanamh trí theanga eile, teanga a máistrí, a úsáid feasta, nó tuigtear dóibh, go bhfuil a dteanga féin as dáta, agus iargúlta. “Ní líonfaidh do theanga dhúchais do bholg”, a chloisfeá ó dhaoine dá leithéid, fadó.

An Teanga nach bhfuil láidir….

• Níl dabht ar bith, ach oiread, ach go mbíonn tionchar nach beag ag na teangacha móra idirnáisiúnta ar chúlú na dteangacha laga. Níl le déanamh againn ach breathnú timpeall orainn, agus tabharfaidh muid faoi deara, go mbíonn tionchar an-mhór ag na teangacha ar nós an Bhéarla, na Fraincise, na Gearmáinise, na Spáinnise agus na hIodáilise, i gComhairle an Aontais Eorpaigh, agus cé go n-aithnítear mionteangacha áirithe freisin – an Ghaeilge, mar shampla – tugtar le fios nach bhfuil iontu ach mionteangacha. Le himeacht na mblianta, tá sé soiléir, go dtiocfaidh laghdú ar uimhir na dteangacha labhartha, má leantar den chleachtadh sin. Más uainn iad a shábháil, caithfear úsáid a bhaint as cumas nua-aoiseach cumarsáide, chun fóram poiblí a thabhairt dá bpobal a mionteanga a úsáid ar líne.

AthEarrach

Is féidir le gach duine a fheiceáil, go bhfuil neart nua le tabhairt faoi deara i gcúrsaí na Gaeilge faoi láthair, agus cuid mhaith dá bhuíochas sin ag dul do Chóras na nGaelscoileanna. Ba iad na tuismitheoirí féin a chuir tús leis an gCóras sin, nó chonacthas dóibh nach dtiocfadh an Ghaeilge slán mura ndéanfadh siadsan a ndícheall le scoileanna lánGhaeilge a bhunú, le deis a thabhairt dá bpáistí, an teanga a shealbhú agus a fhoghlaim go nádúrtha, trína labhairt. D’éirigh go seoigh leis an bhfiontar sin, agus anois, dá bharr, tá Meánscoileanna lánGhaeilge againn le hobair na nGaelscoileanna a tharraingt isteach sa Chóras Meánoideachais, agus cheana féin, tá éileamh ar oideachas iomlán Ollscoile a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge.  Seans maith go mbeidh a leithéid ar fáil roimh i bhfad, agus ansin beidh sprioc thábhachtach eile bainte amach againn.

Ar an dea-uair, agus b’fhéidir de bharr na nGaelscoileanna, tá go leor daoine óga go láidir ar son na Gaeilge mar theanga bheo – mar a dteanga bheo. Agus tá cuid acu ag obair go dian mar ambasadóirí na teanga. Toghadh Paula Melvin, 29 bliain d’aois, mar Uachtarán ar Chonradh na Gaeilge, agus beidh tionchar mór aici maidir le cúrsaí na teanga ar go leor daoine, ach go háirithe ar dhaoine óga agus dhaoine thar lear (bhí sí ina bainisteoir gradaim le Coimisiún Fulbright maidir leis an nGaeilge).  

Tá an Ghaeilge feiceálach go maith ar líne freisin – ar na meáin shóisialta, san áireamh. Tá gach saghas rang ar fáil ar líne (ó leibhéal oiriúnach do thosaitheoirí suas go Gaeilgeoirí inniúla).  Tá go leor ar fáil as Gaeilge ar Facebook, Twitter, Instagram agus YouTube freisin (cuir isteach #Gaeilge mar théarma cuardach in aon cheann agus tiocfaidh go leor torthaí ar ais chugat!)  Tá pop-up Gaeltachtaí agus ciorcail comhrá á n-eagrú ag daoine freisin, idir imeachtaí ar líne (ar Zoom, mar shampla) agus imeachtaí in ionaid éagsúla fisiciúla (siopa caife, bialann, teach tábhairne agus araile).

Tá cúrsaí ealaíne ag déanamh dul chun cinn seasta freisin – litríocht, ceol, scannánaíocht san áireamh. Níl spás agam inniu plé a dhéanamh ar an ábhar seo, ach mar shampla beag amháin, tá go leor gradaim buaite ag scannáin as Gaeilge ar nós “An Cailín Ciúin” agus “Arracht”.

Conclusion

Gan dabht, táimid ar an mbóthar ceart, agus má leanaimid ar aghaidh le fuinneamh agus diongbháilteacht, fíorófar ár bhfís agus ní chaillfear ár dteanga. Nára fada uainn an lá sin!

Todhchaí na Gaeilge

Comhdheiseanna do Theifigh!

by | 2022/09/14 | International News, National News, Politics

Ar an drochuair, níl mé bródúil as ár stair sa tír seo maidir le ceisteanna comhionannais. Sa bhliain 1945, sheol an Roinn Dlí agus Cirt memram chuig rialtas na hÉireann ag rá go soiléir gur teifigh míchuibhiúla iad na Giúdaigh agus mar sin bheadh sé níos fearr gan iad a ghlacadh isteach sa tír.  Dar leis an Roinn, ní mheascfadh na Giúdaigh go maith le pobal na hÉireann agus mar sin dá méadfaí líon na nGiúdach go suntasach cruthódh sé sin fadhbanna soisialta sa tír.

Cruálacht gan chúis a bhí ann, go háirithe nuair a chuimhníonn tú an bealach ar caitheadh leis na Giúdaigh sa dara cogadh domhanda.  Féach ar na Giúdaigh sna Stáit Aontaithe – nár mheasc siad isteach go maith le pobal na tíre sin? Go deimhin, mheasc siad, mar chuir an rialtas agus an pobal fáilte rompu teacht isteach sa tsochaí agus a bheith páirteach ar bhonn cothrom. Is tuar féinchomhlíntach é a rá nach mheascfadh daoine isteach nuair nach glactar leo sa chéad áit!

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Dá gceapfá nach dtarlódh a leithéid in Éirinn sa lá atá inniu ann, bheadh tú mícheart! Tá an ciníochas beo beathach in Éirinn fós. Is féidir linn a dhéanamh i bhfad níos fearr ná sin. Ach ar dtús, is gá dúinn admháil go bhfuil fadhb ann.

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Ní hamháin in Éirinn atá fadhbanna mhóra maidir le teifigh faoi láthair. Tá rialtas na Breataine ag íocadh airgid go Rwanda mar chúiteamh ar teifigh a ghlacadh ón mBreatain. Sna Stáit Aontaithe, scair riarachán Trump páistí agus a dtuismitheoirí óna chéile, agus tearmann á iarraidh acu.  Íocann an t-Aontas Eorpach le Libia chun teifigh a ghabáil ar a slí go tíortha san AE agus iad a chur isteach in ionaid coinneála, inar sáraítar a gcearta daonna.

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Na hÚcránaigh – cás speisialta?

I ngach cás thuasluaite, daoine de dhath atá i gceist. Ach cad faoi na teifigh as an Úcráin? Daoine geala atá i gceist sa chás sin, atá ar a dteitheadh ó scrios na Rúisigh, a rinne ionradh ar a dtír.  An bhfuil aon difríocht sa bhealach ar caitheadh leis na teifigh geala agus na teifigh de dhath?  

Chuir an AE an Treoir um Chosaint Sealadach i bhfeidhm chun dídean a thabhairt do na hÚcráinigh ag teitheadh ón gcogadh, agus thug sé sin cosaint láithreach agus stádas dlíthiíil do na milliúin daoine. Ach níor chuir an AE an Treoir céanna i bhfeidhm sa bhliain 2015 nuair a bhí breis is milliún daoine de dhath ón tSiria, ón Iaráic agus tíortha eile ag lorg dídine san AE. Níor cuireadh an Treoir i bhfeidhm an bhliain seo caite, ach an oiread, nuair a theith go leor daoine ón Afganastáin tar éis imeacht na Meiriceánaigh. Cén difríocht a dhéanann an Treoir sin san AE agus in Éirinn?

Ní hamháin go ndéanann an treoir é níos éasca do dhaoine teacht anseo, ach bíonn a saol níos éasca tar éis teacht anseo freisin. Mar shampla, cuirtear uimhir PSP ar fáil láithreach do dhaoine a thagann isteach go hÉirinn faoin Treoir sin agus leis sin, bíonn seirbhísí poiblí ar fáil acu (leas, oideachas, sláinte) agus bíonn siad in ann obair sa tír.

Is mór idir é seo agus an proiseas do teifigh ón tSomáil, ón tSiria, ón Aetóip, nó ón Afganastáin atá ag lorg cosaint idirnáisiúnta. Tosaíonn a n-iarratais ar chosaint idirnáisiúnta nuair a thagann siad go hÉirinn agus de ghnáth tógann an proiseas faofa sin traidhfil de bhlianta. Le linn an ama seo, bíonn siad i dteideal soláthar díreach. Ciallaíonn sé seo go bhfaighidh siad áit éigin le maireachtáil, béilí agus íocaíocht beag seachtainiúil, ach seachas sin, bíonn cearta agus teidlíochtaí an-teoranta acu maidir le leas, oideachas, sláinte agus obair.  Ach cé gur ionann na cásanna ina bhfuil siad ag teitheadh, na teifigh geala agus iad de dhath, tá sé soiléir nach ionann an slí ar caitear leo, ar chor ar bith! Níos measa ná sin, dá mhéad acmhainní breise a úsáidtear ar na teifigh as an Úcráin, is ea is lú acmhainní a úsáidtear ar an gcóras soláthair dhídigh. Is ábhar imní freisin é cur i bhfeidhm an Pháipéir Bháin um sholáthar díreach, atá déanach cheana féain agus atá ag tabhairt aghaidh ar dhúshláin acmhainní níos mó anois.

Tá muintir na tíre an-fhlaithiúil maidir leis na teifigh Úcráinigh, fiú ag oscailt a dtithe féin dóibh uaireanta. Cé go bhfuil sé go hiontach lámh fhial thacúil na tíre a fheiceáil i gcás na teifigh Úcránaigh, nach mbeadh sé i bhfad níos fearr an lámh fhial thacúil céanna a fheiceáil i gcás na teifigh nach iad.

Ní teachtaireacht éasca é seo a chur amach. Sa lá atá inniu ann, ní mór ár bhfreagairt mar shochaí a bheith cóir cothrom do gach teifeach, is cuma cad as dó/di nó cén dath craiceann atá air/uirthi. Ní mór dúinn gan deighilt agus doicheall a chur i measc na ndaoine atá ag lorg cosanta anseo.

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Caithfimid labhairt faoi chine. An bhfuil sé cuma go bhfuil an chuma ar an gcuid is mó de mhuintir na hÚcráine “díreach cosúil linne”, nó go raibh siad “i gceannas ar ghnáthshaol” go dtí gur bhuail an ghéarchéim seo iad? Cén fáth a ndéanaimid an t-idirdhealú seo? Cén fáth nár úsáideadh na frásaí céanna sin chun cur síos a dhéanamh ar na daoine a bhí ag teitheadh ​​ó thubaiste san Aetóip, sa tSiria, san Afganastáin? An gcuireann éagsúlacht reiligiúnach lenár smaointeoireacht? Cén chaoi a bhfuil ár laofachtaí á múnlú seo?

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Is féidir linn an chaoi a bhfreagraímid a roghnú; mar Stát trí dhul i gcoinne córas dhá shraith agus trí dheireadh a chur le soláthar díreach, mar shochaí trí iad siúd atá ag lorg cosanta a cheiliúradh agus a chothú, mar phobal trí leanúint ar aghaidh ag síneadh céad míle fáilte, agus mar dhaoine aonair trí mhachnamh a dhéanamh ar ár ndearcadh agus ar ár gcion féin .

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Todhchaí na Gaeilge

Scéal Spreagúil: Naima Chaudhry 

by | 2022/08/17 | Current Affairs, National News

Tá scéal spreagúil agam duit inar léirigh duine misneach iontach i láthair an mhí-áidh, agus inar sháraigh sí dúshlán i ndiaidh dúshláin a tháinig roimpi.  

Bhí deacrachtaí ina saol i bhfad sular tháinig Naima Chaudhry go hÉirinn. Nuair a diagnóisíodh go raibh galar néarón luadrach ar a máthair, a bhí ina tuismitheoir aonair, bhí ar Naima a bheith ina cúramóir lánaimseartha. Mar sin, ní raibh Naima ach seacht mbliana déag d’aois nuair a bhí uirthi an scoil a fhágáil. Fuair a máthair bás trí bliana ina dhiaidh sin agus ní raibh a fhios ag Naima cad ba cheart di a dhéanamh ansin. Bhí a gaolta ag cur brú uirthi cleamhnas a dhéanamh, ach ní raibh aon suim aici ann. Nuair a mhol a haintín i Manchester go mbeadh sé níos fearr di staidéar a dhéanamh i Manchester, d’aontaigh sí agus chuaigh sí go Manchester láithreach bonn.

D’fhan Naima i Manchester go dtí gur bhain sí céim amach san ollscoil, ach thit sí amach lena haintín tar éis sin. Arís eile, ní raibh a fhios ag Naima cad a dhéanfadh sí. Bhí fonn uirthi dul ar ais go dtí an Phacastáin ach ní raibh sé éasca é sin a dhéanamh, agus ní raibh seans ag bean léi féin a bheith beo ar an mbeagán!  Bhí cara maith aici in Éirinn a mhol di teacht ann agus go socródh sí post di ina comhlacht. Ar an drochuair, níor oibrigh an plean sin amach, agus tar éis cúpla mí in Éirinn, i mí Aibreán, 2015, d’iarr Naima tearmann ar an Rialtas. Chuala sí go mbeadh a próiseas iarratais críochnaithe laistigh de sé mhí, ach ní mar sin a bhí an scéal!

Cuireadh chuig ionad soláthair dhírigh i gCluain Dolcáin í, agus sula i bhfad d’aithin sí nach mbeadh rudaí socraithe laistigh de sé mhí. Nuair a d’fhreastail sí ar chruinniú chumann cónaitheoirí i mí na Samhna 2015, ghlac sí ballraíocht ann. Tar éis tamaill ceapadh ina cathaoirleach í.

Thosaigh sí ag eagrú gníomhaíochtaí do na páistí ag an ionad, agus oifig eolais do dhaoine fásta mar gheall ar cheisteanna tearmainn.

“Thosaigh mé an obair sin, mar níor theastaigh uaim smaoineamh ar mo chás féin. Ach ansin, thuig mé gur thaitin sé go mór liom a bheith in ann cabhair a thabhairt do dhaoine eile.” Chomh maith leis sin, chabhraigh sí an craobh áitiúil den chlub reathaithe ‘Sanctuary Runners’ a eagrú. Agus d’fhreastail sí ar chúrsa polaitíochta i gColáiste na Tríonóide freisin!

Sa bhliain 2018, d’éirigh léi scoláireacht ollscoile a bhaint amach ag staidéar le haghaidh máistreacht i mBiteiripic i gColáiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath. Bhí sí fós ina cónaí in ionad soláthair dhírigh – rún nár roinn sí le haon duine eile!  Rinne sí staidéar i leabharlann an Choláiste san oíche, mar bhí sí ag roinnt seomra leapa le beirt eile san ionad. Nuair a bhí uirthi a tráchtas a scríobh, thug bainistíocht an ionaid seomra stórais di le hobair a dhéanamh.

Gan mhoill i ndiaidh a staidéar i gColáiste Ollscoile Baile Átha Cliath a thosú, tharla géarchéim ag an ionad, mar bhí sé socraithe é a dhúnadh síos. D’eagair Naima feachtas bríomhar chun dul i ngleic leis an gcinneadh sin, agus d’éirigh léi an rialú sin a fhreaschur!

Lean an maorlathas spadánta ar aghaidh maidir lena hiarratas tearmainn, agus faoi dheireadh i mí Iúil 2020, d’fhoghlaim sí gur cuireadh a cás ar ais faoi bhráid na hArd-Chúirte in Éirinn. I mí an Mhárta 2021, iarradh uirthi a hiarratas a chur isteach arís, agus é seo á scríobh tá sí ag fanacht le hagallamh leis an Oifig um Chosaint Idirnáisiúnta. Tá cead oibre aici faoi dheireadh, mar fuair sí post san ionad soláthair dhírigh i gCluain Dolcáin ag eagrú gníomhaíochtaí na bpáistí ann. Cé gur rud maith e sin, tá Naima ag súil go bhfaighidh sí obair sa réimse leighis ina bhfuil cáilíocht ghairmiúil aici ann.

Is Críostaí athbheirthe í Naima, agus bhuail sí le Cian agus an bheirt acu ag freastal ag seirbhís reiligiúnach ag an ‘All Nations Church’ ar an gCuarbhóthar Theas i mBaile Átha Cliath. Tá lámh is focal eatarthu anois!

Tar éis di sé bliana ina cónaí in ionad soláthair dhírigh, tá cúrsaí ag feabhsú di faoi dheireadh. Seo mar a dúirt Naima le déanaí:

“Bhí mé ag iarraidh gnáthshaol a bheith agam le chomh fada, le cead agam a bheith in ann post a fháil agus a bheith in ann taisteal! Bhí tráth ann nach raibh mé in ann aon rud deas a fheiceáil dom féin agus ní raibh mé in ann aon saghas plean a dhéanamh; bhí sé an-deacair. Ach anois, tá cúrsaí ag athrú!”

Guímid gach rath ar Naima, agus bímis go léir buíoch as a bhfuil againn féin!

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Tá scéal spreagúil agam duit inar léirigh duine misneach iontach i láthair an mhí-áidh, agus inar sháraigh sí dúshlán i ndiaidh dúshláin a tháinig roimpi.  

Bhí deacrachtaí ina saol i bhfad sular tháinig Naima Chaudhry go hÉirinn. Nuair a diagnóisíodh go raibh galar néarón luadrach ar a máthair, a bhí ina tuismitheoir aonair, bhí ar Naima a bheith ina cúramóir lánaimseartha. Mar sin, ní raibh Naima ach seacht mbliana déag d’aois nuair a bhí uirthi an scoil a fhágáil. Fuair a máthair bás trí bliana ina dhiaidh sin agus ní raibh a fhios ag Naima cad ba cheart di a dhéanamh ansin. Bhí a gaolta ag cur brú uirthi cleamhnas a dhéanamh, ach ní raibh aon suim aici ann. Nuair a mhol a haintín i Manchester go mbeadh sé níos fearr di staidéar a dhéanamh i Manchester, d’aontaigh sí agus chuaigh sí go Manchester láithreach bonn.

D’fhan Naima i Manchester go dtí gur bhain sí céim amach san ollscoil, ach thit sí amach lena haintín tar éis sin. Arís eile, ní raibh a fhios ag Naima cad a dhéanfadh sí. Bhí fonn uirthi dul ar ais go dtí an Phacastáin ach ní raibh sé éasca é sin a dhéanamh, agus ní raibh seans ag bean léi féin a bheith beo ar an mbeagán!  Bhí cara maith aici in Éirinn a mhol di teacht ann agus go socródh sí post di ina comhlacht. Ar an drochuair, níor oibrigh an plean sin amach, agus tar éis cúpla mí in Éirinn, i mí Aibreán, 2015, d’iarr Naima tearmann ar an Rialtas. Chuala sí go mbeadh a próiseas iarratais críochnaithe laistigh de sé mhí, ach ní mar sin a bhí an scéal!

Cuireadh chuig ionad soláthair dhírigh i gCluain Dolcáin í, agus sula i bhfad d’aithin sí nach mbeadh rudaí socraithe laistigh de sé mhí. Nuair a d’fhreastail sí ar chruinniú chumann cónaitheoirí i mí na Samhna 2015, ghlac sí ballraíocht ann. Tar éis tamaill ceapadh ina cathaoirleach í.

Thosaigh sí ag eagrú gníomhaíochtaí do na páistí ag an ionad, agus oifig eolais do dhaoine fásta mar gheall ar cheisteanna tearmainn.

“Thosaigh mé an obair sin, mar níor theastaigh uaim smaoineamh ar mo chás féin. Ach ansin, thuig mé gur thaitin sé go mór liom a bheith in ann cabhair a thabhairt do dhaoine eile.” Chomh maith leis sin, chabhraigh sí an craobh áitiúil den chlub reathaithe ‘Sanctuary Runners’ a eagrú. Agus d’fhreastail sí ar chúrsa polaitíochta i gColáiste na Tríonóide freisin!

Sa bhliain 2018, d’éirigh léi scoláireacht ollscoile a bhaint amach ag staidéar le haghaidh máistreacht i mBiteiripic i gColáiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath. Bhí sí fós ina cónaí in ionad soláthair dhírigh – rún nár roinn sí le haon duine eile!  Rinne sí staidéar i leabharlann an Choláiste san oíche, mar bhí sí ag roinnt seomra leapa le beirt eile san ionad. Nuair a bhí uirthi a tráchtas a scríobh, thug bainistíocht an ionaid seomra stórais di le hobair a dhéanamh.

Gan mhoill i ndiaidh a staidéar i gColáiste Ollscoile Baile Átha Cliath a thosú, tharla géarchéim ag an ionad, mar bhí sé socraithe é a dhúnadh síos. D’eagair Naima feachtas bríomhar chun dul i ngleic leis an gcinneadh sin, agus d’éirigh léi an rialú sin a fhreaschur!

Lean an maorlathas spadánta ar aghaidh maidir lena hiarratas tearmainn, agus faoi dheireadh i mí Iúil 2020, d’fhoghlaim sí gur cuireadh a cás ar ais faoi bhráid na hArd-Chúirte in Éirinn. I mí an Mhárta 2021, iarradh uirthi a hiarratas a chur isteach arís, agus é seo á scríobh tá sí ag fanacht le hagallamh leis an Oifig um Chosaint Idirnáisiúnta. Tá cead oibre aici faoi dheireadh, mar fuair sí post san ionad soláthair dhírigh i gCluain Dolcáin ag eagrú gníomhaíochtaí na bpáistí ann. Cé gur rud maith e sin, tá Naima ag súil go bhfaighidh sí obair sa réimse leighis ina bhfuil cáilíocht ghairmiúil aici ann.

Is Críostaí athbheirthe í Naima, agus bhuail sí le Cian agus an bheirt acu ag freastal ag seirbhís reiligiúnach ag an ‘All Nations Church’ ar an gCuarbhóthar Theas i mBaile Átha Cliath. Tá lámh is focal eatarthu anois!

Tar éis di sé bliana ina cónaí in ionad soláthair dhírigh, tá cúrsaí ag feabhsú di faoi dheireadh. Seo mar a dúirt Naima le déanaí:

“Bhí mé ag iarraidh gnáthshaol a bheith agam le chomh fada, le cead agam a bheith in ann post a fháil agus a bheith in ann taisteal! Bhí tráth ann nach raibh mé in ann aon rud deas a fheiceáil dom féin agus ní raibh mé in ann aon saghas plean a dhéanamh; bhí sé an-deacair. Ach anois, tá cúrsaí ag athrú!”

Guímid gach rath ar Naima, agus bímis go léir buíoch as a bhfuil againn féin!

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