'We've overcome it all' - Traveller woman who left school at 14 among SETU honorees

A Traveller woman who left school at 14 years old has been honoured alongside four others from her community at a South East Technological University (SETU) award ceremony. 

The women - who are all education and community development workers with Mincéirí Port Láirge's Bright Futures Club - were hailed as "changemakers" when presented with Level Six 'Learning to Learn at Third Level' certificates by SETU. 

As well as attaining the certificates, the women voluntarily work with over 120 children across Waterford to inspire the next generation to continue their education. 

Married mum of five, Margaret Connors, left school at fourteen but has since fallen in love with education. 

Speaking about her experience, she said, "We’re all married with kids and still we've overcome it all and we're here receiving our certificates. I'm delighted for myself and the girls also. 

"I never thought I wanted to go back to education. But when I got involved, I realised it was something I really enjoyed, and I wanted to go further. It is something that I’d recommend to any young person out there. 

"We got great support from everyone, especially Traveller Education Worker, Paul Bennett. We have a lot of people around us that believe in us. I'm more confident than I ever was, and maybe with the help of God, I’ll go on to the next level." 

Representing their community and culture, the women feel that their greatest success is changing the mindset of the younger generations around education.

Margaret said, "It's not something you see every day or every year - five Traveller women graduating from college. It's a great achievement." 

Education worker, Mary Lou Mclnerney, is also a busy mum of five children who left school in fifth year. 

She said, "We're inspiring children by showing them what we’ve done. We have families, we have husbands, we have children, we have a home to keep, and we're able to go further in education. With what we have achieved we hope to inspire some of the kids that we’re working with in the schools.

"It was just nice to be able to go back and know that you're able to achieve something and just makes you feel good about yourself and more confident." 

Community development worker, Karen Reilly, "always regretted" leaving school in fifth year before doing her Leaving Certificate. 

She said, "At the time I left because I felt I didn't belong, but if I had a Traveller woman coming into the school every week that I could have talked to, I think I would have waited on the extra year." 

Despite the difficulties of juggling her job and SETU course, Karen is glad she did it. 

She said, "I was delighted when I got the opportunity to go back to education. I wanted to go further and get to where I am today." 

According to the CEO of Mincéirí Port Láirge, Mary Connors Aldridge, the Waterford Traveller Group provides educational and employment support through the Brighter Futures Club. 

With the help of the club, the women worked their way up from level four to complete level six courses and, along the way, they took on roles of community development workers and education workers. 

She said, "SETU supported them on the journey, which led them to complete the level six course. It was an immensely proud day for the five women and a huge achievement on their behalf. For anyone to reach this level is great, but to have five members of the Travelling community as strong role models is so empowering and so crucially important.

"These women are not only achieving for themselves, but they are the educators for the community behind them. And that is so amazing and so empowering.” 

The certificates were presented in turn to each of the graduates by Dr Allison Kenneally, SETU’s Vice President for Equality Diversity and Inclusion. 

To mark the special occasion, Fr David Keating Delivered a special blessing before congratulating the women on their accomplishments. 

Traveller Education Worker, Paul Bennett stated that flexible learning opportunities such as these must be offered within colleges and universities, promoting access to education at third level for the Traveller community.

He said, "The group are the change makers, role models for their community, not only through their voluntary commitments but through their work with the Brighter Futures Programme. Supporting over 120 Traveller students in Waterford city, to stay in education and also explore FE, apprenticeships and third-level options for progression.

"SETU is proud to work with Mincéirí Port Láirge in supporting this work.

"Additional PATH funding has been secured to support the women in achieving their educational goals. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with this project to date."