NAAS & MOLDOVA, 27 July 2002: by Trish Whelan. Naas teacher Orla O’Connell has this week swapped Naas for Moldova where she will do voluntary work in an orphanage looking after children from the age of 4 up to their late teens. She is pictured above with details of Outreach Moldova's 'Hold her Hand' programme.
This will be her second trip to Moldova and she hopes to see a big difference in the young people at the orphanage, thanks to Naas sponsors.
“I’ve always wanted to do something and this is short term which fits in with my teaching commitments,” she says.
All volunteers must pay their own way and Orla has handed over 1,200 euros to cover her expenses. The charity she is involved with is Outreach Moldova, a Trinity College based charity which has installed baths and electricity in the orphanage. “Initially, they had to put glass in the windows,” she said.
“Basically, the children are very physically handicapped or have mentally developed very slowly,” she explained. Last year she worked with small children trying to encourage them to walk.
Orla would like to acknowledge the generous donations from Naas Lions Club and the girls of St Mary’s College, and their parents and friends who helped her raise 14,000 euros since last September.
The pupils held a non-uniform day and bag-packed in Tesco to raise the bulk of the money needed. Three class groups are to sponsor a named child from September.
Sponsors will be kept informed about the child they sponsor for the year. These lucky children will also receive a present at Christmas from their Irish sponsor.
“It may well be the only time they have got a present in their lives,” Orla commented.
She’s hoping to see a huge change in the children, and in the quality of their lives, thanks to money raised by the charity and the people of Naas.
“Last year, the children were getting half of one tiny Petite Filous yoghurt a week which was their first taste of dairy products,” she said.
Donations of 127 euros to the Hold Her Hand charity would be more than welcome. Further details are available on website Outreach Moldova. From September Orla can be contacted at St Mary’s College, Sallins Road, Naas.
