Author name: Roxanne Garner

2024, Fundraising

VLM Christmas Raffle 2024

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VLM Christmas Raffle 2024 We are launching our Christmas raffle for 2024 this week! Prizes 1st Prize – Sandymount Hotel One Night Bed & Breakfast 2nd Prize – WestWood Club Westmanstown €200 Private Swimming Lessons Voucher 3rd Prize Barberstown Castle, Afternoon Tea for Two 4th Prize – Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Afternoon Tea for Two Number of tickets Price 1 €5.00 2 €9.00 6 €20.00 15 €35.00 30 €50.00 70 €100.00 200 €200.00 All donations are processed securely and will be given directly to Vincentian Lay Missionaries (VLM). Winners will be announced on 20th December 2024 via social media. Winners will also be contacted directly. Your contribution will make a difference to the lives of the poorest of the poor. Thank you for your support. Share this article

Jane Scott with project
Tanzania

Volunteer Placement – Jane Scott

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Volunteer Placement – Jane Scott VLM currently have a volunteer on a placement in Tanzania. Jane is volunteering with the Daughters of Charity in Masanga. She is working with three of their projects – St Catherine Laboure School, the Women’s Empowerment Project and the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Programme. The women’s project is focused on income generation and raising the confidence and self-esteem of local women. The FGM is a unique program that aims to develop awareness of the harmful consequences of FGM among community leaders and offers refuge and an alternative right-of-passage camp to young girls who do not wish to participate in the cutting ceremony. Up to 600 girls will participate in the camp over the next two months. Only one village leader supported the idea the first year and now more than 30 are moving toward elimination of this dangerous and life-impacting practice; an awareness campaign is spreading through 180 villages. Jane is helping spread this message through outreach work to local villages with the FGM team. They have organised a soccer league and music across the area as a means of raising awareness among young adults; the community leaders of the future. If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering with VLM please contact Madeleine at info@vlm.ie. We currently have opportunities for volunteering in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania. Share this article

2024, Fundraising

Dublin Marathon 2024

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Dublin Marathon 2024 We would like to express HUGE thanks to Michael McMahon and Owen McGrane who recently took part in the Dublin Marathon for VLM. Between them they raised a phenomenal €4500, which will support our work across Africa. VLM have places secured for next years Dublin marathon as well as numerous other running events in Europe and the US including Rome, Chicago, California and Paris. Please click on the link below and sign up today for something to focus on on for the new year! Big thank you once again to Michael and Owen. Run a Marathon for VLM Share this article

Tanzania

Volunteer Story – Darragh Byrne

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Volunteer Story – Darragh Byrne In June of 2024, I travelled to Masanga in the north of Tanzania. We flew into Nairobi airport and the Sisters had arranged for us to be driven across the border into the Tarime region of Tanzania, witnessing some breathtaking views along the way. Once across the border we were introduced to Sister Constantine and Sister Jacqueline as they brought us to Masanga. Our first day we were welcomed by Standard 7 (equivalent to 6th class in Ireland) of St Catherine Laboure School. The teachers had helped the students prepare a number of songs and dances and the hospitality made us both feel welcome immediately. Sister Martha then introduced us to a number of the girls who were part of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) project who also welcomed us immediately. Our first week was spent teaching and helping out in the Standard 7 class before they broke for their summer holidays. We observed the computer classes which help give the children exposure to fundamental skills that could be used in university or in future jobs. We also taught English and Maths as well as learning a bit of Swahili from the students. The last day of the week was very emotional as we had built amazing relationships with the students after a very short period of time. For the next two weeks we helped out with the FGM project and taught English and Maths. As well as teaching some classes for students who lived in the local area. Some of my favourite memories are from sport time in the evening. We played everything like basketball, football, volleyball as well as chasing games. However, I’ll never forget how amazing it was to show everyone hurling. A number of the students were absolute naturals and took it up incredibly quickly. The generosity of the Sisters, not only in their home but also with what they did for us throughout our time in Masanga was incredible. We travelled to Musoma with Sister Ruffina and Sister Regina one of the Saturday’s. We visited another compound in Musoma on the shore of Lake Victoria as well as being brought to the local food market. One Friday we were brought to the local market which was an incredible experience. It was also amazing as we got to see a few of the students from the first week.While we taught the students of Standard 7 and the FGM, I can safely say that we learnt so much more from them as well as everyone else than we could ever hope to teach. Their attitudes, positivity and resilience is something that words cannot properly describe. There are a number of cherished moments that I will take with me throughout my whole life that would not have been possible without the VLM or the incredible people of Masanga. Share this article

English lesson in progress
Ghana

Volunteer Story – Luke Hogan

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Volunteer Story – Luke Hogan “During my time in Ghana, I had the incredible opportunity to work on the Safe Child Advocacy Project run by the Daughters of Charity. This is a vital initiative dedicated to safeguarding children and providing skills training and education. Here’s a glimpse into my journey: My first role was at the Drop-in centre. This is where street children come for a rest to escape their street jobs and simply be kids. The drop-in centre is also seen as their first step to moving off the streets. Here, I played board games like ludo and Mancala, building friendships. In the evening, I helped them with literacy and numeracy skills through worksheets and trying to play games in English. Another role I had was in the outreach programme. This involved going onto the streets and identifying girls that were new to the streets and connected with street children at the Kumasi trading centre. We spoke to them and asked them about their day. Usually, the children would be in the same spots every day. Our goal was to offer them alternatives to street life, fostering relationships and guiding them towards better opportunities. To ensure continuous support, I participated in follow-ups with former programme participants. We provided essentials like shoes and checked on their well-being, reinforcing that they were not forgotten. When I wasn’t at the drop-in centre, I was at the Vocational Training Centre, where girls learned skills like sewing and hairdressing. I taught English classes focused on reading, writing, and video analysis. The girls loved watching short films and discussing them. Before evening classes, I played football with them, and they were very good, clearly enjoying the game. After class, we had fun playing board games like Guess Who, Uno, and Snap. The Safe Child Advocacy Project is making a real difference, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it.”  English lesson in progress Fun playing games Share this article

2024, Kenya

Volunteer Story – Maja Hamerlinska

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Volunteer Story – Maja Hamerlinska I went to Thigio in April 2024 and stayed with the Daughters of Charity. From the first day I was very impressed by the work that the sisters did for the community. I lived on the grounds of the compound where it was peaceful, well organized and there was a real sense of community. The Daughters of Charity welcomed me warmly, and I quickly became involved in their daily routines. I was shown around and introduced to the people who were part of the projects run by the sisters. The impact the Sisters had on the community was visible everywhere. They ran educational programs including a library, IT class, a hospice, a programme for elderly people and KISIMA- a programme for kids and teenagers with special needs and support services for families in need. Their work was truly inspiring, and I felt privileged to witness the deep connection they had with the people of Thigio. I helped with leading an IT boot camp for children and the engagement and progress the kids made in only three weeks was amazing. I really enjoyed teaching, the kids were really well behaved, willing to learn and grateful. I am already planning to come back to meet the community again and I can’t recommend more taking part in the volunteering experience, as this impacted me in such a positive way and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to give back my knowledge. Share this article

2024, Ethiopia, Kenya

Misean Cara Member Capacity Development Funding

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Misean Cara Member Capacity Development Funding 2024 VLM with the support of Misean Cara completed capacity development training in Ethiopia and Kenya. This was for training in Project Cycle Management to be run with the Vincentians in Ethiopia with a view to them developing project proposals for funding applications. Increasing their income will allow them to grow their projects, reaching more members of their communities and providing better services. The funding also paid for a comprehensive needs assessment to take place across Vincentian projects in Kenya. Having a professional needs assessment will give an evidence-base for future funding project proposals. Share this article

2023, Tanzania

Volunteer Story – Sinéad McColgan

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Volunteer Story – Sinead McColgan Hi, I’m Sinéad. I went to Songea, Tanzania in Summer’23. I am a secondary school teacher, and I travelled with 4 other teachers. When I began teaching in 2018, the school I worked in organised a trip every year to Ambo, Ethiopia with the VLM. I signed up to go as I always wanted to volunteer abroad in an educational setting. The trip was then cancelled unfortunately, and I knew I still wanted to go. 5 years later, a simple google search led me to find Madeleine’s contact. Madeleine helped us book our entire trip and was so easy to work with. We had a chat on zoom, and it all took off from there. When travelling to Tanzania, we were offered to go to Dar Es Salem, which is the capital or a village called Songea, which is further south. We opted to go with Songea, as we decided a rural setting would suit us better. The school in Songea had a preschool, primary school and secondary school. It was a perfect mix. The students were the happiest I have ever come across and were always willing to learn and keen to participate. Amongst our group, we taught in all 3 schools, facilitated training with staff members and did extra-curricular activities e.g. rounders, singing and observed some local dancing, which is one of the best memories we have. I was treated to the girls braiding my hair everyday too! The staff in the school invited us into their staffroom and made us feel part of the team. The management in all schools were friendly and supportive. All the priests and sisters we met embraced us with hugs and smiles. One person who needs a special shout out is Brother Leopold. We stayed in his accommodation, and he was the main link with the school. He was like a celebrity, everyone loved him. He did everything and more for us. We still keep in touch wishing each other a happy Christmas and Easter. The conditions we stayed in were excellent, we had private rooms that were clean and comfortable and undoubtedly amazing food. There were vegetables, meat, rice and the cooks kindly made us homemade chips which tasted delicious. The fruit was full of flavour and fresh daily. The Wi-Fi was quite good, so we were able to contact home and give updates. The weather was hot but not too hot. A perfect temperature really. When we had time off, Brother Leopold took us to local markets, lakes and restaurants. It was 5-star treatment. When we landed into the capital we were shown around the city for 2 days before taking the local flight to Songea. Our return flight home had a long stopover in Cairo. We booked a tour from the airport than showed us the pyramids, which was amazing.  After our placement in Songea, we decided to go to Zanzibar for a few days, considering we were so close! It was a lovely way to end the trip and the water was transparent, with blue skies and incredible sunsets. We also squeezed in a Safari in Mikumi national park which was a day tour from Dar. If you are interested in going, do it! It is never an experience you will regret. I loved every second, learned so much and hope to go again in the future. Share this article

2023, Ethiopia

Teacher Training Places – Bruh Tesfa

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Teacher Training Places – Bruh Tesfa, Ethiopia VLM has sponsored Montessori teacher training places in Bruh Tesfa, Ethiopia. This enables girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain a qualification and a sustainable livelihood so that they can provide for themselves and their families. They also go on to provide education in their communities. On completion of their qualification, all graduates receive a full set of teaching supplies. So far, VLM have supported 6 places in this training college. Libinesh, sponsored by VLM, has finished her studies and has secured a job near her home village. Share this article

2023, Ethiopia

Re-opening of Abba Gebremichael Catholic School – Mekelle, Tigray

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Re-opening of Abba Gebremichael Catholic School – Mekele, Tigray VLM, supported by a €14,137 Misean Cara grant, re-opened the Abba Gebremichael Catholic School (AGCS) run by the Vincentian Fathers in Mekele, Tigray. Due to the conflict recent conflict there, the school had been closed since November 2020, but thanks to this funding the school re-opened on 22nd May 2023. A total of 1926 students are now attending the school. They are enthusiastic to be back in education and making up for what they describe as their ‘stolen years’. Many families have lost their livelihoods, their homes, their relatives to the war. The school re-opening has lifted the morale of the whole community. If you would like to sponsor a school place in the AGCS, please visit: Sponsor a School Place Share this article

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