Baldoyle students enjoy visit to Zambia

Dublin People 14 Aug 2011

A GROUP of five students – Ericka Andrews, Samantha Murphy, Aisling Penrose, Louise McAteer, Daria Wolska – and two teachers – Pauline Griffin and Sue Tully – from St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, recently returned from a two-week visit to Mary Aikenhead Open Community School, Lusaka, Zambia. Dublin North Central TD Maureen O’Sullivan (Ind) and Kate O’Neill, both former teachers at St Mary’s, were with the travelling party.St Mary’s have been fundraising for the past two years to help support the teaching of street children at the Zambian school. A total of e18,000 was raised over the two years. The fundraising included cake sales, marathons, sponsored walks, non-uniform days, Halloween parties, fun quizzes, variety shows, church collections, fun bingos, carol singing, raffles and talent competitions. The money has been used to put a new floor in the computer room of the school, furnishing the Home Economics room and science equipment and helping to pay the teachers’ salaries.The group arrived at Lusaka Airport on June 30 following a 10-hour flight from London. They were met by the Principal of the Mary Aikenhead School, Sr Mary Roche, who drove them in her truck to the convent for tea. They were then taken to a hostel which would be their home for the next two weeks. Living conditions were very basic with cold showers and draughty doors and windows. The next day the group travelled by local bus to the Mary Aikenhead school.On their arrival at the school, a Cead Mile Failte handwritten sign made by the students greeted them. The group met the teachers and worked out a timetable for the following week where they would be teaching computers, maths, science, art, English, music and games.The school was closed for two public holidays but every day after that the group taught at the 600-girl Mary Aikenhead School from 8am to 4pm.The senior girls attend school in the morning and the younger girls in the afternoon. All the girls are single or double orphaned due to HIV/Aids. Their day begins with prayer and a bowl of porridge made from maize, milk and sugar, which for some is their only meal of the day. After completing their education, the girls are sponsored to enter grade 10 in Government-run schools which require fees to be paid. The facilities in the school were poor with toilets having no running water.Ericka Andrews, one of the students on the trip, described the experience as a once in a lifetime opportunity and one she will remember for the rest of her life.

“It has changed me for the good and has made me appreciate the smaller things in life like family, friendship, love and of course running hot water, food, clean water and clothes,

? she told Northside People.

“Without a doubt it was a very difficult challenge and sometimes I felt as though I couldn’t go on, the surroundings and the culture were just so harsh, different and overwhelming.

“However, I got through it and I am a better person because of it.

“It was very much a culture shock to say the least but it is definitely something that I would consider doing again in the future when I am a little bit older.

?Ericka feels she has made a difference in the young girls’ lives.

“Hopefully, because of the skills and knowledge we shared with them, they will have more promising futures in the challenging lives they face as young women in Zambia,

? she added.John Moore, Deputy Principal at St Mary’s Secondary School, Baldoyle, thanked all the teachers and students for giving their time and effort to the cause.

“We hope to continue our association with Mary Aikenhead Open Community School in Lusaka for many years to come,

? said Mr Moore.

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