VLM is delighted to report that we have had a busy summer with a total of 22 volunteers travelling to Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. This has only been possible thanks to our most valuable partnerships with the Vincentian Fathers and Daughters of Charity. Please read on below for a snapshot of their experiences and if you would like more information about volunteering feel free to contact us at info@vlm.ie.

Castleknock College Schools Immersion, Kenya

This summer twelve students and two teachers from St Vincent’s Castleknock College took part in the VLM schools immersion programme. They spent a wonderful two weeks volunteering at the De Paul School run by the Vincentian Fathers in Thigio, Kenya. During their time here, they taught English and Maths, played games and sports with the children, did art activities, baking and cooking, music and much, much more. The school also arranged home visits, so the students were able to see into the homes and lives of children in Thigio. A hike into the surrounding hills of the rift valley was organised for them and they had the chance to play soccer matches against students from a local woodwork vocational training centre. In an action-packed trip the boys also visited a village called Kamulu to attend a youth mass, having the chance afterwards to meet with local youth and discuss similarities and differences between life in Ireland and Kenya. The boys will continue to reflect on this immersion experience and a debrief day will be held in September. VLM is delighted the schools programme is back!

Thigio, Kenya

Luke Hogan volunteered with both the Vincentian Fathers and Daughters of Charity during his time in Thigio. He spent two weeks at the De Paul School, teaching English to classes of all ages. Luke spent a further two weeks at a centre for children and adults with autism, run by the Daughters of Charity. They have a range of projects in Thigio including a medical clinic, hospice, community library, IT suite and day centre for the elderly.

Kumasi, Ghana

Lisa and Sarah volunteered for a month with the street advocacy project run by the Daughters of Charity in Kumasi in Ghana. Projects here are a vocational training centre with accommodation for 56 girls, a kindergarten and street outreach. The vocational training centre specialises in sewing, IT and hairdressing, equipping the girls with skills to earn a sustainable livelihood for themselves and their families. Lisa and Sarah helped the girls with their homework, taught English, organised sports and games and went out onto the streets of Kumasi with the team.

Songea, Tanzania

Finally, VLM currently has five teachers volunteering at the De Paul School in Songea, Tanzania. The teachers have been running capacity-building training workshops with the Tanzanian teachers. They have also been teaching English, Maths, Science, Business and French as well as playing sports and games, singing and dancing with the children, including a Siege of Ennis Tanzanian-style! At the weekend the volunteers took a trip with Brother Leopold to Lake Malawi, having a well-deserved couple of days at the beach. Groups of teachers are very welcome to apply now for our summer 2024 volunteering programme.

Source: https://www.vincentianfamily.ie/