We are in Ethiopia from April 23rd to May 9th. Please forward any queries to marykate@cluas.com
April 2010
Well done to all those involved in the VLM table quiz held on April 15th. Over €2000 was raised to support St. Louises' Women's Development Project in Mekele, which sadly was burnt down in a fire late last year. This money will help to get the project underway again, providing skills and employment to the many women in Mekele.
January 2010
We are looking forward to a busy year working with our partners in Ethiopia & Nigeria. In order to better meet the needs of our partners and volunteers, VLM is a signatory to the Comhlamh Code Of Good Practice for Volunteer Sending Organisations.
Invitation to Become a Member.
On November 21st we invited people to become Members of VLM. Membership is open to anyone who has completed a volunteering placement with VLM. Application forms are available from the VLM office.
Travellers Ethiopian Project.
In April, 5 Traveller Women from Ballyfermot Travellers Women’s Development Group, will visit a project supporting people with leprosy in Jima, Ethiopia. This is a great opportunity for the sharing of skills and life experiences of both groups.
Dates for your diary...
Gala Ball
A Gala Ball is planned for Saurday 22nd May at Castleknock College. This is being organised to raise funds for VLM. More details about this exciting event will be posted soon!
Table Quiz.
After the great success of last year’s table quiz, plans are under way for another. Last year this event raised €3600 which funded a water pump in a rural primary school in Bulbula, Ethiopia. More information on dates and location of the quiz will be posted in the coming weeks.
December 2009
In 2009 VLM sent 53 volunteers overseas. This is our largest number to date. Below are some of the new developments this year.
Montessori Partnership.
We have established a link between the St. Nicholas Montessori College, Dun Laoghaire and Bruh Tesfa Training Institute, Woylita. The Assistant Director and the Head of Montessori Department from St. Nicholas spent four weeks working with the staff of Woylita, exploring teaching methodologies, developing curriculum etc. We are hopeful that the two colleges can forge a strong link and that other teachers from Dun Laoghaire will volunteer for Bruh Tesfa.
NUIG
Nine Engineering Graduates from NUIG spent two months in Bahir Dar and helped complete the building of 8 houses in a project for the poorer people of the town.
Already we have heard that there are up to 20 Students interested in volunteering for 2010.
Project Funding.
This summer two volunteers worked to develop opportunities for project funding. An application was made to Misean Cara (part of Irish Aid) for the construction of a new workshop in the training college in Woylita. The application was successful and a grant of €44,770 was awarded.
Nigeria.
We established a link with the Vincentian Province of Nigeria. Two volunteers went to Enugu for 6 weeks and taught English to the Postulants there. This new link with Nigeria is a work in progress, but we were very grateful to the volunteers who took on this initiative.
Secondary Schools Immersion Programme.
The Secondary Schools Immersion Programme was expanded this year and a total of 13 students and 6 teachers took part. This programme is now located in Ambo. The students and teachers have opted to help support a project for Deaf people in Ambo. This is in line with a very long Vincentian tradition. The Vincentians were Chaplains to the deaf and helped to establish education for the Deaf here in Ireland. St. Pauls Raheny and St. Vincent’s Castleknock both participated.
March 2009
At this stage of the year we are busy recruiting for summer projects and hope to build on the work and enthusiasm of previous years. News from projects, and the work of the Daughters of Charity in Ethiopia coming soon.
Get your thinking caps on!
A table quiz in aid of projects in Ethiopia is taking place in the Russell Court Hotel at 7.30pm on Thursday April 23rd. Come along for a fun night and the chance to win some great prizes while also supporting a worthwhile cause.
Other fundraising events.
VLM is delighted to once again sent Eoin Hegarty to Ethiopia to share his skills. Eoin is holding two fundraising events and all are welcome to attend.
The first, a karaoke night is on in in The Mill pub in Phibsborough on Thursday 30th of April at 9pm.
The second event is a concert in St. Peter's Church Phibsborough on Friday May 22nd at 8pm. Here Eoin will play works by Bach, Villa-lobos, and others. Helen Walsh on piano will be play the music of Chopin and Mendelssohn, and Elain Gallaher will sing three songs by Dowland accompanied on guitar. |
