Inclusion in Action: Spotlighting Diversity is a campaign showcasing the rich diversity of Donegal’s workforce and celebrating employers who champion inclusive practices. Developed by the Inter‑Agency Group, Supporting Pathways to Work for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Donegal, and aligned with the BME Inclusion Strategy 2021–2026, it highlights commitment to equity, belonging, and fair workplace opportunity.
Our first employer highlighted is Letterkenny Community Childcare. Here, we heard from manager Geraldine Burke and employee Rabia Saim.
Letterkenny Community Childcare Centre is a workplace that champions diversity, employing several non‑Irish staff members and fostering an inclusive environment where cultural differences are genuinely celebrated. Under the leadership of manager Geraldine Burke, the centre reflects the multicultural community it serves.
“We have 180 children with 19 different nationalities in our childcare centre and seven non‑Irish staff members – in fact one of our longest serving staff members, Vera, is from Ghana,” explained Geraldine.
“I believe people from other countries bring a different perspective into our workplace and it puts the children – and the parents – at ease if they meet people from their own cultural background. It is good to have diversity in workplaces as it reflects the society we now live in.”
Geraldine said she would encourage other employers in the county to embrace people from migrant communities, adding that they are a “great asset” to the majority of workplaces.
“In my experience people from other countries that come here are willing to work and want to progress themselves. They want to settle down with their families and integrate into society more,” she added.
Rabia’s Story
Within this inclusive environment works Rabia Saim, who came to Ireland from Pakistan with her husband 12 years ago. She didn’t speak the language at first and lacked the confidence to leave her home or integrate into society.
But more than a decade on, Rabia is working in a job she loves, speaking English fluently, and being a perfect role model to her three children.
A qualified primary school teacher in Pakistan, Rabia left her home country in search of a better life. After living in Waterford and Cork, the family settled in Letterkenny when her husband secured a job at ATU.
“My husband has a PHD and is a lecturer here in Letterkenny,” said Rabia.
“When I talked to him about wanting to pursue my career he was very supportive and encouraged me to go the ETB to get advice.”
With the help of Donegal ETBs Further Education & Training Service, Rabia undertook English classes and her confidence grew step by step. She progressed successfully to achieve a QQI Level 5 qualification in Early Learning and Care and now plans to progress to a QQI Level 6 qualification.
Today, Rabia works at Letterkenny Community Childcare Centre, where she has found an environment that respects her culture and supports her wellbeing.
“Geraldine and the team here have been very supportive and helpful. Everyone here is equal. They respect me and my traditions and gave me time to take time out for prayer.
“This is my first job in Ireland and I was anxious and nervous, but now I’m encouraging all my friends to do something more with their lives.”
Rabia hopes to inspire other Pakistani women to engage more in their communities.
“Traditionally Pakistani women stay home but I’m trying to motivate them to go outside into their communities. I’m happy and I’m doing it for myself and for my children,” added Rabia.
Geraldine says Rabia is a wonderful example of the positive impact employment can have:
“Rabia and others like her are a great example of how you can do something for yourself. She is also a great example to her children and it is great for women to be independent, but as well as that, it is good for your wellbeing to get out to work.”
Further information:
The Inter-Agency Group: Supporting Pathways to Work for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in Donegal is aligned with the BME Inclusion Strategy 2021–2026.
The community and statutory agencies involved are:
- Inishowen Development Partnership (IDP)
- Donegal Local Development Company (DLDC)
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
- Department of Social Protection (DSP)
- Donegal County Council (DCC)
- Donegal ETB (ETB)
- Donegal Intercultural Platform (DIP)
- Donegal Travellers Project (DTP)
- Local Enterprise Office Donegal (LEO)
- Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce
The purpose of the interagency group is to support effective and appropriate pathways to work, including entrepreneurship and self-employment, for women and men from Black and minority ethnic communities in County Donegal.
For more on the this see: https://inishowen.ie/support/migrant-support/
