Naas Community Sponsorship Group

Naas CSG is organizing this fundraiser.

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Welcoming an Afghan Family to Naas

In September 2021, a group of 12 volunteers from Naas were privileged to welcome an Afghan family to our town. As part of the Government-led Community Sponsorship Programme, we were proud to offer practical supports, a safe environment and an open Irish welcome to a family fleeing persecution.

What is Community Sponsorship?

This programme was developed by the Irish Government in association with the Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative (GSRI), the Irish Red Cross, NASC, the Irish Refugee Council and the UNHCR.

Our group’s ambition is that, with the support of our group and our wider network in the community, the family will become an active part of our vibrant town within 24 months. We will be by their side every step of the way doing whatever we can to help them thrive.

Faced with scenes of desperate people fleeing war many of us struggle to find a way to act. This programme provides us with a formal, structured and sustainable way to provide help that is totally concrete and tangible. We are welcoming a family into our community.

What do we need?

Our 100% voluntary team with knowledge of community work, refugee resettlement, law, child safeguarding, finance, education and training, and with sporting, cultural and faith links, has pledged to help the family to access the essential supports they will need to establish a life in Ireland. We have previously enjoyed the generous support of the local community. However, to accelerate the process of integration, we require funding that will be used for critical services like English-language training, health expenses and housing support. 100% of funds raised will be used directly to support the family during this period of settling into our town.

The Rations Challenge

From 29 November, as a gesture of solidarity, some members of our group will undertake the Rations Challenge. For 7 days, they will eat the same rations as a refugee living in a camp in Jordan. The rations and their exact quantities are listed below:

Rice: 1.92kg*

Flour: 400g*

Lentils: 170g

Dried chickpeas: 85g

Tinned sardines (or tofu): 120g

Tinned kidney beans: 400g

Vegetable oil: 330ml

*420g represents the rice distributed by the Ration Challenge and its partners. The additional 1.5kg of rice and the 400g of flour represent additional food purchased with coupons that some refugees are given by the UN or other organisations.