Eglinton Foursome Scoops Top Prizes at the World Refugee Awards in Dublin

Two former residents of, and two Public Health nurses working with, the Eglinton all won national awards at the Irish Refugee Awards gala event in Dublin on June 20th last for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Galway asylum seekers community. The event was held as part of Ireland's contribution to the international 'World Refugee Day'.

Modern-Day 'Florence Nightingales'
Helena Heagney and Bríd Nichol were outstanding nurses who admirably served the needs of the Eglinton residents during 2006 and 2007. Though they have sadly left us to take up nursing duties elsewhere in the city, nevertheless they left behind them a fantastic legacy of services and facilities that will improve the lives of the residents for years into the future.
Helena for instance helped set up the Eglinton Residents' Support Committee and secured monies for its successful programme of events (See 'Goodbye Helena') Bríd was a tower of strength to the individual health and well being of residents particularly of parents and toddlers. For more on Bríd check out 'Gone but not Forgotten'.

Ireland's Most Angelic Asylum-Seeking Duo
Husband & wife, Adil Jaber and Huda Jafer, left the Eglinton in late December 2006 after they were granted residency status in Ireland. But they too made a lasting presence to all those who knew them from their year-long stay in the Eglinton. They were the most proactive and charitable residents possible always throwing themselves wholeheartedly into any project that was initiated to make the hotel and Galway a better place to live in. They were particularly supportive to Brendan Smith of the DERI Institute of Galway University in his activation of the Computer Room and in his setting up of a Eglinton Community Internet-based Newsletter.
Check out the previous articles written about Adil and Huda as a result of their nominations for the Galway Mayoral Awards (the first asylum seekers to be so nominated):
Asylum Seekers Nominated for Mayoral Awards
Eglinton Residents at Mayoral Awards and Brendan Smith's personal comments as posted on his own website.