It's seven years since Moses Wanjigo arrived in Ireland from a small village in Kenya and settled in the Dublin suburb of Ongar.
Holding a desire to integrate with the community, the perfect opportunity arrived when a flyer from local GAA club Erin Go Bragh came through his door.
Moses - who stars in the new Guinness advertising campaign 'Behind Every Great Town' - first joined the club as a player before becoming a volunteer.
It’s hard to start fresh somewhere new. When people like me, who are from different countries, come to a foreign land, the first thing you want to do is to integrate. You want to get to know your community. I was at home one evening and a flyer came through the door looking for new members for Erin Go Bragh club. I said to myself that I will give it a go. They were very welcoming to me although I had to really listen to their words as the Dublin accent was difficult. I love to help with fundraising, putting up nets on the goalposts or whatever needs to be one. I find myself doing lots of odd jobs down at the club. I love it though. It really is a way to belong.
Along with volunteering with his own club, Moses also gives up his time to be a steward at Croke Park. He credits the GAA with helping him become a part of the community.
It was great to join the club because it gave me a chance to mix with the locals, to know my area and to contribute to my community. By being part of the club, I feel more secure and there are people that I can count on to help me in any difficulty.
I think it’s nice to integrate because that’s how you learn about the place you have settled. You can learn the language and culture faster too. I would encourage people like me to get involved in the GAA as a way to get to know their local community.
Picture: Julien Behal Photography
