This year the JRS Summer Programme was organised to provide activities for families living in direct provision centres in Dublin city and county. Events were organised for children and parents living in Hatch Hall, Georgian Court and Clondalkin Towers.

Over the months of July and August the extensive programme of activities co-ordinated by Michael Ancheta of JRS included weekly swimming sessions, art classes in the Hugh Lane Gallery, astronomy workshops as well as a trip to Glenroe Farm, a picnic at the beach and a Family Fun Day in Mountjoy Square Park. While most of the activities were targeted at children aged between 4 and 12 years old a large group of teenagers living in direct provision were taken bowling and to the cinema. After two months of hectic fun, the programme finished on 28^th August with over 50 children, parents and volunteers taking a Viking Splash Tour around Dublin.

The JRS Summer Programme would not have been possible had it not been for the commitment of the team of volunteers. This year JRS Ireland were lucky to have an international team of volunteers and a debt of gratitude is owed to Luis, Elena and Maria from Spain, Arthur Bommier from France, Ignatius Makumborenga (JRS) from Zimbabwe, Bart Parys from Poland and Angeline from Dublin. They provided swimming lessons, games and songs when we were stuck indoors on a rainy day, endless good spirits and companionship for the parents and children who joined us for the summer. Both Arthur Bommier and Ignatius Makumborenga were not only volunteers for the Summer Programme but also spent a month each in the JRS Ireland offices and they both made a very valuable contribution to smooth running of the office during the summer months.

During the course of the summer it became apparent that several children, intending to start school in September, lacked the necessary language skills that would make their first step into the Irish education system an easy one. With the fortuitous arrival of volunteer Paul O