Amara Onwuzulumba

Amara Onwuzulumba came to Ireland in 2018 seeking asylum for herself and her children, but within weeks, she was also searching for something else central to her life – a place to run.

“I was asking around to see if anyone knew of a running club. Even on a bus, I would look out of the window and wonder ‘where can I go?’ because I was a parkrunner in South Africa,” said Amara.

“One day, I saw a message in the lift at our hostel about Sanctuary Runners and parkruns. Honestly, I didn’t know what Sanctuary Runners were about, I was just happy to know I was going to a parkrun.

“Then I got to understand the vision of Sanctuary Runners and became more involved.”

Founded in Cork in early 2018 by journalist Graham Clifford and photographer Clare Keogh, Sanctuary Runners harnesses the power of sport to help refugees and asylum-seekers, often isolated by the direct provision system, to integrate into new communities.

Running has helped Amara make friends locally and the small sign in the lift at the direct provision centre in Dublin’s Clondalkin re-opened the door to something which gives her the greatest joy.

“I had been running for almost nine years before I came to Ireland. It started as a health thing for me.

“When my third baby was eight months old I was not really myself. I had very serious depression.

“I started going to the gym, just to see other people and to get out of the house. From there, I started jogging a bit and before I knew it, I had joined a running club.”

Back in South Africa, Amara ran every weekend, regularly racing 10K and completing a marathon in 2016.

She runs because it makes her happy, but also because she wants to set an example to her four children.

Amara has one daughter and three sons, who range in age from five to 15. Sons David and Franklin regularly accompany her to the Clondalkin Parkrun.

“I know how important it is to be active. Once they see mummy doing things, they will think they also need to be active. When you encourage children, you have to work by example.

“I have always loved sport and can see my kids have picked that up from me. They have been into it since they were very young.

“Running has helped me emotionally. I have some emotional issues and find being active is a great help to me.

“I want to show my children that no matter what you are feeling, exercise will always help you.”

Sanctuary Runners’ trademark blue t-shirt is emblazoned with their motto: ‘Solidarity, Friendship and Respect’.

The movement has over 25 branches around Ireland, and its unique integration initiative has been feted world-wide.

It is supported by Olympians such as Sonia O’Sullivan and Rob Heffernan and in the case of Amara’s local group in Clondalkin, it gets a grant to buy equipment from the South Dublin County Sports Partnership.

“Being in a new culture, so distant from home, you do not know anybody. You are trying to fit in, but you do not know how to fit in.

“With Sanctuary Runners, you fit in. It was the starting place for me. It gave me a base. It gave me joy and a backbone. It filled me with confidence.”

Amara received ‘permission to remain’ status last year. She works part-time and got official accommodation papers recently.

This has increased her hopes of leaving direct provision soon and finding a new home for her family.

Running sustained her through lockdown. “It was actually the best time, it was so peaceful with no traffic. I was running five days a-week on my own.”

She has also joined Clondalkin Flyers, a new running club which sprung up at the local Corkagh Park last winter.

As lockdown finally lifted, Amara was looking forward to group training with the club and particularly the friends who re-opened the door to running and made her part of her local community three years ago.

“I always look forward to Saturdays, to seeing the Sanctuary Runners coming to the hostel to pick you up, going to the park to run and having coffee together.

“They make us feel at home and give you support and friendship. The love, the laughter, the welcoming hand and the feeling we are one and should always feel at home together. That is really something I will never forget.”