See the PANOS Institute in London for more details on digital storytelling projects.

Visit the Sonke Gender Justice initiative to learn about an extensive digital storytelling project in South Africa.

For more background information on the direct provision system in Ireland, see the FLAC campaign launched in 2003.

Living in Direct Provision: Digital Storytelling Workshop

The ‘Living in Direct Provision’ Digital Storytelling workshop took place over a 6-month period (September 2008 - February 2009). The workshop ran in collaboration with our NGO partners, Integrating Ireland and the Refugee Information Service. Throughout, 9 storytellers engaged in a collaborative process that integrated storytelling, group and individual reflection, creative writing, photography and the use of multi-media technologies. They made a 3-5 minute story about their own experiences as asylum seekers and refugees.

The stories and perspectives produced in this workshop speak to a variety of issues effecting asylum seekers and families who have had or are currently living in the direct provision system. They speak to the experiences of separated and fragmented families; the lived effects of exile and social segregation; the impact on children growing up in the 'direct provision' system; a shared sense of wanting to contribute through work and to be a part of Irish culture and society; in addition to hopes for the future and new beginnings.

These subjective accounts are not intended to be representative ‘asylum’ stories but instead offer important subjective insights on what it means to live everyday and over time in the ‘direct provision’ system. The workshop and the stories provide a platform for individual expression - to have heretofore silent voices heard.

A comprehensive educational pack is currently being developed to accompany these stories and will be available for use. We’ll keep you updated on this outreach product.

Go to 'More Info' for references to other digital storytelling projects in London and South Africa and for more background information on the direct provision system in Ireland.

See a selection of the digital stories below.

An Island Called Ireland

'My dad dreamed of living on an island. Living on an island sounded so exotic...'

Crossing Over

'I stare at her deep in thought, wondering how my country got to be a 'sinful nation in the eyes of the world...'

I Have People I Left Back Home

'I don’t like to remember the day I left home and the way I left. It’s too painful...'