The latest group of schools where students and staff have gone out of their way to welcome newcomers from other countries have been awarded by being named Champion Schools of Sanctuary while a graduate of one is now telling the story of her memories, through art.
Heba Haj Habo is from Syria and travelled to Wexford via a circuitous route in recent years after being forced to flee her home country with her family.
Having graduated from Presentation Secondary School in Wexford earlier this year, she is now studying science at South East Technological University - but art has been her passion since the age of seven and some her work can be seen at the National Opera House.
The family moved to a different part of Syria when the war first started but then, when the bombing continued there, they left for Kurdistan and stayed there for two years. From there they went to Turkey and then Greece.
Another two years followed in Athens before, as asylum-seekers, they moved to Ireland.
Initially they lived outside Dungarvan before finally moving into a house in Wexford in 2018, when Heba herself was 11.
"In Syria, I never went to school, just to a creche, and since then I never went to school.
"When I went to Wexford I went to Presentation Secondary School and this was my first time being in school and, now, here I am," Heba said.
"People are really welcoming and I love the support I got all these years and I love how I was able to make a difference in my life.
"I always believe the beginnings are always hard, until we get used to it and overcome the hardship. Now I'm in a new beginning again, in college, and believe that everything will be good."
Her art exhibition, "My Memories," started with an interest in cartoons and then how cartoons included art.
"I wasn't able to make a drawing, because we were always moving from one place to another.
"When I first came to Ireland, my first thought was I should start with art, now I have the time.
"I actually made a painting of my first journey, in Greece, and the painting was displayed in more than one country. Since then I just believed in art and I should express what I've been through."
Her former school was one of five honoured today at a ceremony in the National Opera House, for its work as a Champion School of Sanctuary, and students spoke about how they celebrate diversity and inclusivity through art, as well as with a world map; a project to encourage the correct pronunciation of names; and a Home From Home Library.
Heba herself was today presented with the Sanctuary Ambassador award by Dr Allison Kenneally, vice-president of SETU, at the event.
Dr Kenneally said that Heba's exhibition gives "a powerful account" of the journey undertaken by her family while the hard work being done by schools is an inspiration to others.
The ceremony was hosted by Schools of Sanctuary Ireland, with Wexford Local Development, in recognition of the work of the schools involved in creating a culture of welcome, safety and inclusion for families fleeing war or other dangers in their own countries.
Dr Veronica Crosbie, chair of Places of Sanctuary Ireland, said the network of sanctuaries created across the country is "a family where all share the same vision and purpose" while Obianuju Ekedozie, sanctuary ambassador, said the schools taking part are giving children "the best environment" possible in which to grow and become accepted.
"Education is a tool that cannot be under-estimated," she said. "I hope this message continues to move on."
Other schools honoured included Loreto Secondary School in Wexford where they encourage diverse voices and have had initiatives such as an LGBT Stand-Up Awareness Week; Multi-Cultural Week and World Hijab Day.
They have prompted students from other countries, such as Syria, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, to tell their stories and be part of the community.
Students from Ardscoil na Mara in Tramore spoke about the importance to them of welcoming people from other countries, including Ukraine.
"This is just the beginning of our School of Sanctuary journey, we will continue to strive to make the school a welcoming place for all staff and students," they said.
Bunclody Vocational College performed a play, Our Truth, specially-written by Katherine McGlynn-Green and staged by transition year pupils, with music by students from fifth year.
They also worked on pronunciation of different phrases, in different languages, while two students from Ukraine, Hlib and Yuli, said they were glad to have "found our place" here in Ireland.
Kilkenny City Vocational School performed John Lennon's Imagine, with instrumentation and singing by the students, and heard about a "message of love" for all in the school community.
