Clare homework clubs for Ukrainian children a great success
A CLARE homework club for Ukrainian children has been noted as a great success.
The Homework Club Project, established by Clare Local Development company started for Ukrainian children on October 10 in Kilkee, and on October 17 in Ballyvaughan.
Lisdoonvarna is now up and running successfully for the last three weeks.
Project Leader for the three clubs, Ailbje Crowley of Clare Local Development Company Ailbhe explains how they work.
"These are Ukrainian afterschool homework clubs. We already have homework clubs running around Clare in the Deis schools and these were hugely successful, so after the Ukrainian new arrivals had got involved in the summer camps we decided to expand the homework club system,
“The idea has been a great success so far, we began to focus first around English and the homework that the children are getting from Irish schools. We have fifteen children in Kilkee for example, aged from 5 up to 12. We do it in two groups, starting the smallies from 2 -3pm then the after, the seniors from 1st to 6th class," Ailbhe said.
The priority is that it is very important that this is more than just an English class, Ailbhe added.
The Lisdoonvarna Homework Club only started three weeks ago on November 14.
As the children attend different primary schools around Lisdoonvarna the logistics are trickier.
“It’s incredibly important that the children have another space that is not the hotel, is not school, where they can be more informal in a play area,” said Ailbhe.
Staffing is always an issue, the CLDC.ie would welcome enquiries from those interested in tutoring with teaching experience or a background in childcare.
“We have homework tutors like retired teachers or SNAs who have some experience working with children.
"We would like it if people could spread the word to both parents and potential tutors that these clubs are up and running in Kilkee, Ballyvaughan and Lisdoonvarna.
Alina Senkova is an CLDCO intercultural worker from Sumy in northern Ukraine, 30kms from the Russian border.
A former journalist, Alina has been in Ireland for eight months and is now working with Clare Local Development Company Ukrainian response team, in conjunction with Ailbhe.
The Clare Local Development Company are hoping to expand the Homework Clubs further around the county next year.
Both Ailbhe and Alina believe the Homework Club project is scalable on a national level.
The Lisdoonvarna Homework Club is also open to local children in Direct Provision.