Pormarnock students travel to Lesotho

A GROUP of 30 students from Portmarnock Community School set off for Africa last weekend for what promises to be the adventure of a lifetime.

The students were among a contingent of 84 people who travelled to Lesotho, a landlocked country that is completely surrounded by South Africa.

They are taking part in aid development programmes under the banner of Action Ireland Trust.

Portmarnock Community School and Action Ireland Trust hosted their second annual gala dinner at the Grand Hotel Malahide recently to raise funds for the programmes.

A total of 265 guests came together for an evening of entertainment and fun hosted by Marty Whelan.

A spokesman for Action Trust Ireland said:

“Almost $20,000 was raised for our projects in Lesotho which embrace education, primary medical care and life skills including self development programmes.

“Portmarnock Community School have brought over 30 students to South Africa every year since 2006 before formally becoming Action Ireland Trust and moving the project to Lesotho in 2012.

?

The projects are based in two rural locations close to the capital city Maseru – Hlalele and Roma.

In Hlalele this year a new science facility will be constructed, a Polly tunnel installed, classrooms renovated all on the back of works carried out last year which included the construction of a new classroom, and the installation of a computer room which facilitates 30 students at any time. Whelan Corcoran Smith Architects, based in Swords, designed all the facilities.

In Roma, the roof at St Joseph’s Hospital has been replaced, two wards renovated and fully furnished and equipped. The renovations will continue again this year with repairs to corridors.

On the skills front there is an extensive skills training programme delivered each year. All of the programmes are sustainable and involve the local community.

The project will focus on the following areas:

?¢ Dublin Fire Brigade will present a skills programme hoping to inspire the establishment of a stand-alone emergency service, which is almost non-existent in Lesotho.

?¢ In education, Hlalele High School has become the focus of attention and will be developed into a model school.

The aim is to encourage schools across Lesotho to have a student centered system of education completely free of corporal punishment, and introducing information technology.

?¢ Volunteer teachers, in association with the local Lesotho College of Education, will deliver staff development and teacher training.

?¢ Fingal County Council will send four volunteers to work on recycling waste, urban and rural planning and GPS mapping.

?¢ The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland Bahrain will begin a nursing training programme at St Joseph’s under the directorship of Professor Charles Docherty.

?¢ Dr Michael Colclough and dentist Dr Martin Tier will head a primary care programme from St Joseph’s.

?¢ North county Dublin vegetable and potato producer Country Crest will travel out this year, bringing their skills and expertise, and hoping to extend and develop a crop growing and gardening programme that is already up and running in the grounds of Hlalele School.

The Portmarnock students, under the direction of Brian O’Shaughnessy, will engage in a music, dance and culture exchange.