CALLOUT: Volunteers needed to teach English to Ukrainians in Offaly town

Tullamore Lions Club who have delivered over 100 hours teaching to more than 60 Ukrainians are now looking for voluntary teachers to cater for the increased demand of their service.

The programme started in October 22 with a twice weekly session when the Lions Cub through Offaly Volunteer Centre made contact with two Ukrainians who spoke excellent English and made a plan to provide beginners English lessons currently operation from OVS centre subsequently moving to the Volunteer Centre in Bury Quay.

Malachy O’Connor, Tullamore Lions Club member, explained how the club teamed up with Oksana Nych, an English teacher from Ivano-Frankivsk, and the first group of students turned up to learn some basic English.

“Through 2023 the war was evolving and fresh groups of Ukrainian refugees were arriving in Tullamore. So, we reached out to recruit more volunteers and as of October ’23 we are providing one-hour classes, three times per week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays,” he said.

The volunteers include Elena from Mariupol, Yaroslava from Chernihiv, and five native speakers – and members of Tullamore Lions Club

“Some of our students have combined our lessons with the other supports available through LOETB and OLDC and have made rapid progress, allowing them to get jobs,” explained Larry.

“We’ve learned about each other, our respective cultures, traditions and languages. It has been a joy to support and get to know our Ukrainian friends. The volunteer spirit is alive and kicking in Tullamore and it’s a triple win. Volunteers feel good for donating their time and energy for the good of other people. The recipients feel good for benefitting from this altruism and express their gratitude. Then the volunteers feel even more fulfilled when they see the longer term impacts they are making.

Due to the success of the service the Lions club are now looking for more volunteers both fluent English speakers and some Ukrainians to help both with translations and with delivering the classes.

They do not need to be qualified teachers just some confidence to lead a class. Monday night classes are aimed at total beginners which due to numbers arriving it is hoped to divide into two.

Those interested should contact malachyoc74@gmail.com