Ellie Kisyombe is an asylum seeker from Malwai who has been living in direct provision for almost a deacade.
She is also a Social Democrats candidate running in the local elections in May, and is launching her campaign today.
Ellie says she feels part of the community in Ireland, which motivated her to run for election, "I feel this is home, so that’s something that makes me want to do what I’m doing."
"I feel like I’ve achieved so much with the work that I've done."
She arrived in Ireland from Malawi nearly ten years ago, and describes the experience of living in direct provision as very difficult. She has also struggled with clinical depression.
Even now, running as a local election candidate, she is volunteering because she is still not allowed to work.
Ellie's case is still ongoing, but she has two children who have settled well in Ireland and she says she sees her future here: "I live through this moment. Whatever happens tomorrow, I can’t control it. I can only do the things that I can change, being able to do the work that I'm doing and being able to represent the people I'm representing."
"If I join the Social Democrats, I think I’ll be part of the solution. We’ll sit down and make policies for people like me, not to get stuck in this situation."
