Stories
St Columba’s College Blog
The St Columba’s College team are currently away in Hungary and are documenting their progress in an excellent blog that can be found here: St Columba’s Blog.
We had a busy day today. We put up lots of plywood continuing on from yesterdays walls made of the same board. One of today’s humourous highlights was burying Fergus, as punishment for his awful jokes! We entertained ourselves during the day, watching Jasper riding the motorcycle and generally making fun of our attempts at imitating ‘real’ builders!
We were taken out on tour of Hajdu with two local school girls. We went to a memorial statue of the First World War which was very moving. We also saw a Greek Catholic church which is unique to Hungary. Mr.Coldrick insisted on going to a bakery to see (and taste) some nice traditional cakes. At the end of our tour we visited three bakeries, purchasing at each one.
After the entertainment at the building site we were taken out to go bowling. We really enjoyed ourselves with our site manger Pisti. We didn’t succeed with the bowling so we went to play pool. David Lynas said ‘Serve and Learn’ were the two aims of this trip and this was a very good day for both!
Thomas and Jack
Posted by Elaine Dobbyn on 1 Apr 09
Categories: Volunteer • 0 Comments • Permanent link
Mum gets keys to new home after 14 year wait
By Claire Coughlan (Evening Herald)
Friday October 31 2008
From sharing a bedroom in a council flat with her daughter, to owning her own three-bedroom house, in the space of two years, Marie Smith has come a long way.The Ballyfermot native and proud homeowner got the keys to her brand new abode in Croftwood Drive in Ballyfermot yesterday.
The home was completed with help from Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit housing charity, and the majority of the work was carried out with funds donated by Vodafone and by work done by volunteers from both Vodafone and elsewhere.
Marie’s one-bedroom council flat in Bluebell, which she shared for 14 years with her now 18-year-old daughter, Aisling, was so cramped that there was no room for a kitchen table and all meals were eaten on the couch. Marie and Aisling also had to share a bedroom.
“I’m really happy now — if you’d seen where I lived — my daughter slept with me in the one bedroom,” said Marie. “She needed her space and the effect now with her is huge. I was on the waiting list for 14 years, so my big chance to move was with Habitat, and I grabbed it.”
From seeing the signs for Habitat for Humanity, it was only another two years before Marie realised the dream of owning her own house.
Habitat for Humanity, whose goal is to “eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action” made that possible. The charity was founded in the US in 1976 and Habitat for Humanity Ireland was founded in 2002. The organisation has built five houses in Ballymun, completed eight refurbishments and is about to start work on a 16-house build in the Elmdale area of Ballyfermot.
“Our next big project is in Elmdale Crescent, just around the corner from Croftwood Drive in Ballyfermot and Dublin City Council has donated the land.”
“We work in partnership with them and we’re hoping to build 16 houses, with three bedrooms, a front and back garden and a car parking space, which is ideal for a small family,” said Elaine Dobbyn, the charity’s communications officer.
Those interested in volunteering or seeking help from the charity in owning their own home, who have a low income and are on a housing waiting list should contact call 01 6299611 or visit .
With thanks to the Evening Herald.
Posted by Elaine Dobbyn on 3 Nov 08
Categories: Home-Owner • 1 Comments • Permanent link
The most rewarding holiday I’ve ever had!
The time I spent working for Habitat for Humanity in Zambia was the most rewarding holiday I have ever had. While with Habitat you get to help people at a grassroots level, and really see how the money you raise improves people lives. We lived with and worked alongside the local community, getting to know the people we were helping, and understanding their culture and way of life.
While in Zambia I was working on a new home for a widow, her brother and her five children. We got to know the family very well and you could see how much their new home meant to them – their whole quality of life had improved with this new home. I definitely came back to Dublin with a fresh perspective on life.
Graham Villiers-Tuthill – Zambia 08
Posted by John Ryan on 6 Oct 08
Categories: Volunteer • 1 Comments • Permanent link
A Heart Warming & Heart Breaking Zambian Experience
It was the most heartwarming and heartbreaking experience of my life. I wouldn’t have changed one thing, except maybe to stay longer.
I tried not to focus on HIV but that was hard when you see the never-ending effect it is having. I found it easier to escape thinking of it when I set mind to work on the building, but even then, the second you stop working you are face to face with the children who were affected the most. I was over whelmed by the people’s sense of community and that even though they have little in their lives they are the happiest people I have meet.
Áine Connaughton – Zambia 08
Posted by John Ryan on 6 Oct 08
Categories: Volunteer • 1 Comments • Permanent link
Mick’s time in Paraguay with an Open GV Team
“This was my first trip with Habitat and hopefully it won’t be my last. From the moment we met in Dublin Airport to when we said our tearful goodbyes it truly was the experience of a lifetime. The highlights for me were: the build, to see a two houses rise from the ground in 10 days and know that our teams were part of making these houses home for two families, meeting the locals, getting to know their customs and traditions like yerba mate (local drink) and chippas (cheesey bread), seeing the local kids who have way less than what I had but are very much content.
All this would not have been possible were it not for our brilliant team leaders Giselle and Michelle who were great throughout the trip.
So anyone thinking of joining an upcoming team – do – give a hand up not a hand out.”
Mick Doran – Paraguay 08
Posted by John Ryan on 30 Sep 08
Categories: Volunteer • 0 Comments • Permanent link