22: Ellie Kisyombe

Nov 9, 2018

We have a system in Ireland called direct provision that keeps asylum seekers who have come here to seek refuge from violence and the threat of being killed in their home countries in institutions with very poor living conditions. The direct provision system forces people into a limbo for long periods of time where they can’t work, build a meaningful life for themselves in this country, and have no control over the food they eat and their overall day to day lives. It is an inhumane system that needs to be ended. In this episode I chatted with Ellie Kisyombe who has lived in the direct provision system since 2010, is an  activist, and founder of Our Table, an organisation that works to highlight the direct provision system as well as bringing people together to learn new skills and share experiences around food.

Our Table:

http://www.ourtable.ie

Journal.ie Article on Ellie

https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/having-been-in-direct-provision-for-such-a-long-time-i-had-started-to-lose-confidence-4072559-Jun2018/

Independent Article on Ellie's Pop Up Restaurant

https://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/i-might-not-have-money-but-im-rich-after-starting-a-popup-restaurant-this-asylum-seeker-has-found-a-recipe-for-success-37249556.html

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/q-a-what-is-direct-provision-1.3373747

https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/opinion-direct-provision-has-been-a-disaster-4066146-Jun2018/

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/she-has-bad-days-sometimes-mother-of-three-outlines-effects-of-direct-provision-on-her-children-872663.html