They are there to do voluntary work for ten weeks
They are:
Carole O'Doherty, from Limerick and now living in London.
Daragh Casey, from Killarney and currently studying in UL.
The City of Hope project started in 1993. The sisters had concern for the increasing numbers of orphans and street children and set about their plan. By 1994 the sisters obtained land from the City Council. In 1995, with funds secured, building of a multi-purpose hall began on the new Makeni site. The project was named City of Hope and officially opened on May 25,1995. Initially, only four girls were housed at the new project due to lack of accommodation at the site. By 1996 this increased to nine and slowly more and more girls arrived.
In 1998 it had reached 25 and the need for more accommodation grew. Construction of two houses for the girls was started in 1999 and the number of girls rose to 45. By 2000 it was 56, in 2001 it rose to 65 and currently in 2003 it stands at 80. The total number of girls who were assisted in their needs and found shelter at City of Hope is 140. The project at City of Hope is divided into three main areas, Girls at Home, Community School and the Skill Training School. HOW
How is this Achieved?
The Salesian Sisters at City of Hope through patience, hard work and much help from donors, have managed to provide a place the young girls and women can call home. The Centre is providing an atmosphere, which is safe and welcoming. The initial response of City of Hope is to help the young girls recover from their sometimes very difficult past with warmth, love and a caring ear. The hope of the centre is that each girl will ultimately reintegrate into society. This is achieved through building up the gaps in the individual’s life. The girls are given the tools necessary to cope as adults. Promoting self-esteem and a sense of self-reliance being a major objective.
Three Volunteers have gone to work in Ennerdale, a township near Johannesburg.:
Catherine Sweeney, from Donegal
Michelle Brennan from Sligo
Rosemary Ahern from Kilteely, Co Limerick.
All are loving their time in Africa and we look forward to hearing from them on their return. For details of our next meeting watch this space.
