RTÉ

A Special Report

Lives in
Direct Provision

Four women living in Direct Provision have given striking accounts of their lives in the first of a series of lectures at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The series, entitled What's the Story, looks at what it means to be living in Direct Provision, focusing on themes of home, time and family.

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I can't explain how embarrassed I used to feel when I went somewhere and said I live in Mosney Accommodation Centre. They would say 'I'm sorry madam we can't help you as you don't have an address'. So how can I call this place a home?

Marie Claire Mundi Njong, from Cameroon, has been living in Direct Provision for two years and nine months.

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I lost hope and I lost track of time. I would sleep, eat and do the same thing. Control-C. Control-C. On and on. Repeat.

Zuhur Muse, from Somalia, has been in Direct Provision for one year and five months.

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We were so happy to come to a country that speaks English. We were so afraid to go to Germany or France because we don't know the language. It would be so difficult for us.

Taqwa Alhariry, from Syria, came to Ireland nine months ago.

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The happiest day of my life will be the day I get the letter from the ministry. A letter that will say you can now sleep well my child, don't be afraid, you're no longer at risk of being thrown back into your past. You're now free to walk on the streets of Ireland and live like any other.

Christiana Obaro, from Nigeria, has been in Direct Provision for three years and eight months.

Further Lectures

Two further lectures in the What’s the Story series will take place at Christ Church Cathedral on 11 and 18 September. Taqwa Alhariry, Marie Claire Mundi Njong, Christiana Obaro and Zuhur Muse pictured with Revd Abigail Sines, Dean's Vicar at Christ Church Cathedral.