Students return from life-changing trip

“UNFORGETTABLE, inspirational and eye-opening

? was the general consensus of nine Blackrock College students who recently returned home from a trip to India to learn about some of GOAL’s programmes in impoverished parts of Kolkata.

During their week-long stay, the lads visited a rehabilitation centre for children with orthopaedic conditions, slum schools, a centre for disadvantaged children, two sprawling metropolitan dumps and one of the city’s infamous brick-making factories.

Upon their return, one of the students, Ross Finnegan, described why meeting children throughout the different programmes made such an impact.

“We were bowled over by them,

? he said.

“Their poverty was immediately obvious, but what shone through was their optimism and how readily they accepted a few white guys from another universe.

?

The boys were also inspired by the work that GOAL is doing, which largely focuses on helping to improve both living and working standards for the children and their families.

“GOAL has done fantastic work in the schools of Kolkata by providing much-needed sanitation facilities through its WASH project,

? Ross added.

“We were shocked to see some of the primitive toilet facilities in these schools prior to GOAL’s intervention. Not only were they disease-infested, they were also breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

“We are all still trying to come to terms with and reflect upon what we experienced in Kolkata. It was life-changing.

?

Another one of the students, Daniel Dunleavy, was particularly moved by the group’s visit to Howrah dump, where whole families live and survive by searching for scrap to sell.

“It consisted of a virtual mountain range of decomposing, stinking rubbish,

? he explained.

“There was black, slimy water, flies and what seemed like hundreds of pigs. It was a place full of poverty in its rawest form.

“Despite their living conditions, the spirit of the people living in Howrah was inspirational. The highlight of the visit there was a high-paced game of rugby with about 50 enthusiastic children.

“Even on a pitch that consisted of little more than dust, it was one of the greatest and most memorable rugby games of our lives.

?

The boys have now returned to school, where they and the rest of their transition year classmates have begun preparations for the annual St Patrick’s Day Badges campaign.

Blackrock College has run the popular fundraiser since 1990. Over the years, it has raised over e2 million for GOAL and Aidlink.

GOAL’s Development Education Coordinator, who travelled with the boys to India, said:

“It was a really successful trip. The GOAL India staff were so accommodating and ensured we made the most of the week.

“The main point of the whole experience was to demonstrate the benefits of development work, and the good that fundraising can do. The lads got to see how GOAL is making a difference to some of the world’s poorest people. Hopefully they will spread the word to their schoolmates, friends and family.

?