Don't Judge a Book

This week I was able to meet my first Irish Traveller family, which I had been anticipating since I’ve been preparing for this internship. Since arriving in Ireland, I’ve been able to meet a lot of people from around the area, outside of my YAP co-workers. When I explain to people what I’m doing in Ireland, and that I work with ‘at risk youth’ I get similar reactions to that in the states, “wow that sounds hard” or “that must be rewarding” etc, etc. Yet, when I tell people here that I’m interested in working with Traveller youth I’ve gotten a very different reaction. Most often people ask me why? Which is usually followed with warnings to watch my wallet and be safe.  It’s one thing to read about how badly people are discriminated against, but it’s another thing to witness it firsthand.

This particular family I met would be considered, settled travellers, because they reside in a cul-de-sac community and not in caravans. Like going into any new situation I was a bit nervous as to how the family and young person would react to me tagging along for the afternoon. Despite all of the criticisms I’ve heard about Travellers since I’ve been here, the family welcomed me into their home with immense warmth. I was immediately offered a cup of tea, and invited into the conversation like an old friend. The family was so polite and so curious about me and my visit to Ireland. It’s a shame that misconceptions about a community can taint their image so widely.

After meeting with the family, I was invited along with the young traveller and his advocate to do some community gardening.  Teens are teens, no matter where you go and they’re sure to give you a hard time at first, especially as a newcomer. The young man was a little apprehensive of me at first, but once we got into the dirt, and got to work things loosened up. The gardening experience was new to me, so it was great to start up some conversation about the right way to plant the bulbs and turn the soil. I find that experiences like this are a far better way to get to know young people, as opposed to in an office behind a desk. It’s easier to find common ground with someone when you’re elbow deep in dirt, joking around than in a professional environment. Experiences like this remind me why I love doing what I do.