Could You Live on £1.27 a day?

Members of the Clonduff Youth Council took on the challenge of living on just £1.27 for a day in Hilltown, Co. Down

Several months ago we started a journey to deepen our understanding of what life is like for young people in the developing/majority world. The majority of young people alive today in the world are living below the poverty line which is set at $2 or £1.27/day. For 24 hours on Saturday, April 21st, we lived in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from Sub Saharan Africa to gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges and difficulties they face daily.

Our challenge included living on £1.27, gathering our resources of water and wood, walking for over 2 miles while looking after the 2 teenage mothers and the 3 people living with HIV. Through this experience we have become more aware of the inequalities and injustices that exist in our world. Eg: poverty affects young girls more acutely in the areas of education, food, security, family planning and health. We also take our resources for granted but carrying 50L of water and firewood for 2 miles gave us a new perspective. Going forward young people in Ireland have a role to play in breaking down pre-conceived notions about Africa and working towards our goal of service, justice and equality in our parish life. Solidarity works best when put into action! 

Rose of Tralee ready to SERVE

The current Rose Of Tralee, Tara Talbot, paid a recent visit to Mayo to highlight the work of SERVE.  Ms. Talbot will spend two weeks with the SERVE team in the Philippines this July.  Tara, whose mother hails from the Philippines, said she was  looking forward to being involved with SERVE over the coming months.  “They are an organisation who are committed to, and passionate about transforming the lives of some of the poorest communities in the world. I am particularly interested in their work in the Philippines, as this is a country that is close to my heart,” Tara commented.

On stage in The Dome, in Tralee last August, Tara vowed that if she became Rose Of Tralee, she would use the opportunity to try and help in some way the people of her mother’s native land. She will honour that commitment next July by travelling with fourteen volunteers, as part of the SERVE Philippines project team of 2012.

This summers project will focus on the provision of dignified accommodation, a health centre and a skills training area for the Badjao Tribe, a vulnerable community of 100 families who live on the outskirts of Cebu.  The volunteers for the 2012 Philippines project come from the Robe Pastoral Area which is a cluster of four parishes in south Mayo. They have already raised almost €40,000 of their €60,000 target.  

More on the work of SERVE in the Philippines: www.serve.ie/philippines

Eli Lilly Donation for Wheelchairs in India

SERVE’s partner, the Assocation of People with Disabilities (APD), based in Bangalore India, is running a holistic programme for poor people suffering from Spinal Cord Injuries. This programme is running in 80 villages and involves identification, assessment, treatment and support for people with SCI. A key part of this programme is the “Chaithanya” Wheelchair – a lightweight, durable, three wheeled wheelchair that can be easily used in the villages of India where there are often no proper roads or footpaths. The Wheelchair makes a huge difference to people with SCI, some who are bedridden, allowing them to regain their dignity and independence. These wheelchairs cost just €130.

On 23^rd February 2012, John McCarthy, SERVE Projects Officer, collected a cheque for €3,930 from Eli Lilly in Kinsale, Cork. Eli Lilly are one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Over Christmas 2011, their staff ran a series of fundraising events. The Charity Committee allocated the funds to a number of local, national and international charities. The funding from Eli Lilly will be used to buy 30 wheelchairs. SERVE are committing funds to buy an additional 20 wheelchairs.

SERVE & APD would like to say a big thank you to Jean Noonan (SERVE Volunteer 2007), the Lilly Charity Committee and all Lilly staff for their fundraising efforts! 

If you wish to contribute, to add to further wheelchair purchases please click below. 

http://www.serve.ie/solidarity-gift-12/ 

Twitter: @SERVE_ie #elililly