Cuala hosted families living locally in Direct Provision at Hyde Road last Saturday for a Christmas party that provided 120 children with an opportunity to meet with Santa.

Face-painting by the great Cuala Transition Year Students, including the Dermot Earley Leadership group, Santa presents, food and entertainment from the wonderful Cuala choir provided a great afternoon’s entertainment for everyone.

The party was arranged by Cuala’s Dayo Byrne and Denys Rosolovych under the Sports and Social Integration Programme.

In addition there was a huge contribution to the success of the day from Debbie Kearney from DLRCC’s integration team. And the event would not have happened without the efforts of Cuala manager Elva.

Denys and Dayo were not finished there as directly after the Special General meeting in the Royal Marine they were busy collecting donated Christmas food hampers. The efforts of the guys to bring some Christmas joy to families living in our community, who are a long way from family and loved ones, is very much valued by the community of Cuala.

A significant amount of work with International Protection Applicants has been carried out quietly by Dayo and Denys throughout the year and there will be plenty more carried out next year.