A group that matches local women with mums in the direct provision system is running a new appeal in the hope that more people will take part in the initiative.
Let’s Match Mums was set up by Louisamay Hanrahan last year to provide mothers residing in direct provision centres not only with much needed items for their children, but to give people the opportunity to mix with other mums and build support networks.
Louisamay says that the project gained immediate support after its inception, with over 1000 local mothers signing up to participate within a day of its launch.
“We have a lot of women who are refugees involved with helping us launch in different communities. We’ve been spreading out through Ireland, raising awareness through refugee communities so they can sign up for items from local mums in their community,” Louisa says.
Let’s Match Mums is now looking for mothers in certain counties who are willing to pass on preloved children’s clothes to mothers in direct provision centres.
Local mams who sign up are requested to detail the items they would like to donate.
Similarly, mothers in direct provision can also compile a list of items that they need for their family. The initiative then matches the donor and recipient based on the similarities between the requested items.
Louisamay, who organised regular donation drives for direct provision residents throughout the pandemic, explains that women and children within the system face unique challenges and can hugely benefit from having outside support.
Over half of all direct provision residents are women, while 2,000 children are currently placed within the scheme that the government has promised to reform before 2024.
“One of the big challenges within direct provision is that you get moved around a lot. You can get a day’s notice telling you you’re moving to another county. The constant moving can be very stressful for mothers,” she reveals.
She also refers to the difficulties encountered by a woman she knew in direct provision who was moved four times over the space of two years with her children.
“They didn’t get any notice to say goodbye to their friends. Kids aren’t old enough to understand why they have to leave and it just kept happening to this particular family,” she adds.
Louisamay believes that Let’s Match Mums also provides donors with valuable and enriching experiences, as some matches have led to long term friendships. The feedback she has received via social media is extremely positive and she feels the initiative has become a community in its own right.
Some particular items that are often in demand include buggies, children’s clothes, shoes and toys, although the need for certain products varies from family to family.
Louisamay says the project has allowed her to witness the strength and determination of mothers first-hand as they have rallied together for the sake of this cause.
“The local mams will tell you they’ve thrown in extra items. They always seem to know exactly what the mothers may need,” she adds.
“It’s shown me that mothers in Ireland are pretty cool.”
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