Living in Direct Provision: ‘You begin to see yourself as someone who is not accepted by society’

The first thing I’m asked by an African man when I attend a fundraiser for asylum-seekers in Ireland is: “Are you alone? Do you have someone with you? A friend? Will I introduce you to people?”

The purpose of the fundraiser is threefold: to end direct provision (DP) in Ireland, to include asylum- seekers in normal Irish society, and allow them to live independent lives.