PICTURES: Laois cake sale for missionary school a sweet success in Mountmellick

The Mission Alive committee’s annual cake sale has become a beloved annual tradition in Mountmellick, and this June 26 it was once again a sweet success.

The sale in the Laois town’s ICA hall was held on Friday morning, June 26, in aid of Sr Paula Healy’s vital preschool in Lusaka, Zambia with the lady herself in attendance to accept the €2,625 raised by supporters.

Chaired by Sheelagh Coyle, and co-founded by CC Fr Noel Dunphy, the sale is one of three annual fundraisers by the committee for Sr Paula’s project. Along with a table quiz and church gate collection, the donations from Mountmellick are responsible for a huge uplift in the lives of the community in Lusaka.

Sr Paula, aged 83, who is from Cloghan, Offaly told the Leinster Express / Laois Live about her life’s work as a member of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa.

“I am 24 years in Zambia, and 56 years in Africa. Our preschoool is for orphans and vulnerable children. We are giving them an education, nutrition and medical care. We have 133 children at the moment. We have trained local teachers.

“Mountmellick helps to support the nutrition programme. Many of the children are cared for by elderly grandmothers, their diet would mainly be maize meal porridge, some greens, meat is rare. Many have stunted growth.

“Their health has improved immensely over the years. We have training programmes for parents and guardians in proper food and care of the children.

“Some of our past pupils are now working internationally, they are in good jobs, in the civil service. This lifts them up, to give them a good education, and when parents are helped, they are able to support them into the future.

“Some have built their own houses, and we train them how to mind their money when they start working, we have a village banking for the women so they can save and get loans, we are doing well on that,” Sr Paula said.

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She is home on leave, and heading back on the long trip in early July. She has no intention of retiring nor of staying in Ireland.

“I’d die with the cold here,” joked Sr Paula, who was wearing a jumper on the hottest day on record in Ireland.

Fr Dunphy, said “we are all delighted to see her home, and in good health.”

Sheelagh Coyle is chair of the Mission Alive committee which presented Sr Paula with the proceeds on the day.

“Thanks to all who volunteered, donated money and baked cakes and donated raffle prizes,” Ms Coyle said.