Derry Ulster University students raise over €6,000 for Zambian children's resources

Four final year Occupational Therapy students from Ulster University, Derry - Emma Meehan, Niamh Ní Ghadhra, Maeve Sweeney, and Molly Keady - have raised over €6,000 through their GoFundMe campaign, as they prepare for a unique, five-week role-emerging placement in Lusaka, Zambia, this January.

In collaboration with The Spirit of Paul McGirr charity, this initiative offers a unique opportunity to introduce, promote, and advocate for the profession of Occupational Therapy in a setting where it is not yet established.

Occupational Therapy focuses on promoting independence by enabling individuals to engage in meaningful activities of daily living, or "occupations". As dual-trained practitioners with a holistic approach to both mental and physical health, the students are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact.

During their time in Lusaka, the students will work across a diverse range of settings, including an orphanage, a school for children with additional needs, a hospital, a neonatal unit, and local villages. Their work will involve assessing individual needs, designing person-centered goals and intervention plans to facilitate optimal engagement in daily life, and providing vital education and support to local families and staff for long-term sustainability.

A primary goal of their fundraising efforts is to provide essential Occupational Therapy resources and equipment. Based on reports from the charity, a major aim is to create a sensory room within the school for children with additional needs. This dedicated space will help manage challenging behaviours, emotional dysregulation, and meet specific sensory needs.

Additional equipment needed includes dressing aids, fine and gross motor materials, personal care items, transfer boards, bathing aids, soft floor mats, and adaptive tools for feeding.

The students are seeking community support and donations to fund these vital resources. Every contribution will directly help in promoting maximum independence and making a lasting difference in the lives of the individuals they will be working with.

"We would be sincerely grateful for any contribution, no matter how big or small," the group shared. "Your generosity will help us make a real and lasting difference in our role of promoting maximum independence.”

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A post shared by Niamh, Emma, Molly and Maeve (@repzambia2026)

The students have set up an Instagram page for the public to follow their journey on instagram @repzambia2026 and see the impact of the donations.

To support the project, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/role-emerging-placement-zambia?cdn-cache=0.