Generosity of Tipperary people making a difference in Africa
Clonmel Rotary Club project supports school project in South Sudan
Support from Clonmel that has helped to fund the provision of a girls secondary school in South Sudan is now helping to establish a second school in the war-ravaged country.
Clonmel Rotary Club has been supporting the Rumbek school project, set up by the Loreto Sisters, for a number of years, and has now donated €3,500 to help another school in Aweil, about six hours away by road.
The money was raised at a flag day in the town, and topped up by the club. Rotary president Ian Bowen has thanked the people of Clonmel for their continued generosity towards a vital educational resource in one of the world’s poorest countries.
Gratitude to the people of the town was echoed by Sr. Bridie Mullins and Sr. Margaret Quirke when they accepted the cheque at a meeting of Rotary.
“This will mean a huge amount to the project”, said Sr. Bridie, who said that this year’s funding from Rotary will help establish the new school in Aweil.
The original school in Rumbek was started to provide education for girls who otherwise would have been forced by their parents into an early marriage, some as young as 13. Girls attending the school also receive one nourishing meal a day.
The school has been a huge success, aided by funds such as those from Clonmel, and now many of the early pupils are returning from a university education to become community leaders in their own villages.
Rumbek’s success forged the idea for another school, six hours drive away on unsurfaced roads, in Aweil in the north of the country. Work has already started on building classrooms and dormitories.
“It is happening, but slowly at the moment”, said Sr. Bridie.
“There are always so many wanting to start school but there is no space at Aweil at the moment. So, they are taken to Rumbek to start and then return to Aweil when the space is ready. That is what the money raised in Clonmel will achieve, build classrooms and dorms for the Aweil students”.
Sr. Bridie added that it is such a poor area generally that the young girls would not be guaranteed a full meal each day unless they attended school.
“Yours is a marvellous donation and you can see how well the money will be spent”, she added.
Mr Bowen said the club was honoured to be involved in such a worthwhile project, and again thanked the people of Clonmel who had been so generous with their donations at the recent flag day.