‘Immigrant experience’ inspires projects

STUDENTS from Colaiste Nano Nagle, Sexton Street in Limerick city have clinched awards at the Technovation Regional Pitch Event in Dublin.

They unveiled two projects aimed at immigrants helping them to adjust to life in Ireland.

The projects Éire Explorer and Imicircle were created during Teen-Turn after school sessions, led in their school by lead mentor and teacher Samantha Prior.

Driven by their immigrant experience and a shared conviction that immigrant communities deserve more recognition, the girls all embarked on a mission to make a difference.

Students Danijela Muždeka and Sara Lemos created Éire Explorer, a social enterprise dedicated to enhancing the lives of immigrants that promises to be a beacon of hope and support for newcomers to Ireland.

“Éire Explorer is more than just an app - it is a lifeline for immigrants seeking to find their footing in a new country," explained Sara, one of the project's co-creators.

“Our aim is to provide a platform that not only offers practical information about documentation, schools and jobs but also fosters a sense of community and belonging.”

The girls' journey from idea to execution was marked by resilience and determination.

“We are most proud of the journey we have undertaken, from our own experiences to creating something meaningful for our community," shared Danijela.

Their participation in the weekly Technovation sessions, supported by Teen-Turn, was instrumental in shaping their project.

“We learned so much and had a blast during the Technovation sessions. The guidance from Teen-Turn mentors, along with the unwavering support of our parents, mentors, and our science teacher, fueled our determination to see our project through.”

Another Limerick winner was 14 -year-old Alice Babilon Borgeshas whose app Imicircle is designed to alleviate the loneliness faced by immigrants. Again her project was inspired by her own experiences and Alice won multiple awards at the Technovation RPE.

“I had the idea for my project as soon as I saw that the loneliness of immigrants is a problem that is growing more and more every day, and as an immigrant, I wanted to help people like me.”