Community Groups come together for Eid celebrations in Llanelli

For Muslims Sunday 24^th May saw the end of the month long fasting for Ramadan and the celebration of Eid-Al-Fitr.

Eid is normally celebrated by a visit to the mosque followed by friends and families getting together with each other, sharing food together and exchanging gifts. Children will dress in new clothes and have new toys. Traditions which are not dissimilar to a traditional Christmas celebration.

This year C-19 has meant that these festivities were very much low key and families had to pray and celebrate in their own homes.

Llanelli is home to 18 families from Syria who came as part of the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme over the last 4 years. Though these families have made friends in the local communities, for many of them the last few months have been particularly challenging.

To bring a bit of cheer to the families four community groups came together to gather donations for an Eid gift for the families.

Steve Kelshaw, Chair of Syria Sir Gar ( voluntary group supporting the Syrian families in Carmarthenshire) told us, “ We were delighted to be able to visit all the families (observing social distancing rules!) on Sunday. The families would normally get together to celebrate and the C-19 stay at home rules have meant that they can’t see other families in the area. The packs we took along included some typical food items and sweets for the children. Thank you to the other organisations that made donations to make this possible”

One of the supporting organisations that made this possible was the

Women’s Community Network

Chair, Cllr Fozia Akhtar from Llwynhendy told us

Being from a Muslim family myself, I know we look forward to spending time with friends and family during the Eid celebrations, and know from personal experience how this year is very different from past years. We were really pleased to be part of this amazing initiative and thank the partners involved. Llanelli has a great tradition and sense of Community and we will continue to work to support the vulnerable people in the area, now and into the future.

Chair of the Llanelli Multicultural Network, Annie Evans added “when this idea was mentioned we were pleased to add our support.  I went out on Sunday to help distribute the gifts. The smile on the faces said it all!

It was lovely to see everybody. Many of the families attend our drop-in centre and take English classes. Working with the County Council these classes have are now” virtual classes” using WhatsApp.

The initiative was coordinated by the Llanelli Community Partnership, the voluntary organisation the brings together the Voluntary Sector, Statutory Sector and Community members.

The Chair of The Community Partnership, Paolo Piana told us

The Community Partnership were really pleased to be able to coordinate this wonderful gesture. Visiting the families was delightful and we were given delicious some traditional Syrian sweets made with pistachios, dates sesame seeds etc.

Once again, we see how partnership working is the best way to respond to situations in our community. Our motto is “For the Community, by The community”

The Community Partnership has been remarkably busy since the lockdown.

We received a grant from the Community Foundation Wales and National Emergencies Trust and working closely with the Llanelli Town Council and partner organisations we have been able to support the food banks in the wider Llanelli area with food items and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

We have also distributed over 2000 packets of rice products that were donated to us. These have gone to the organisations working on the front line supporting the vulnerable, elderly and isolated people in the area.

The Llanelli Community Partnership also have a Facebook page with over 2000 followers that provides up to date information and news from trusted and verified sources.

Paolo concluded; we have seen a tremendous community response to the C-19 situation with countless people volunteering in so many ways.

I’m very proud to live in such a caring place.