Fasting for Trocaire

As many of you know, the Trocaire 24 hour fast was last week. Of all the sponsored events our school participates in, the Fast is perhaps the biggest. Dozens of students and teachers alike took part in order to raise money for a good cause and experience what it is like for those in the third world who have very little to eat. I was one of the many who took part. This was only my second year taking part, but for a lot, it was their first. For those of you who think fasting is a piece of cake, let me assure you it's not. Most of us can not go ten minutes without eating or thinking of eating, let alone twenty-four hours. It requires great will power and determination not to have a sly bite to eat during the fast. Be sure to eat something substantial before you begin, so you don't get too hungry too quickly. For me, the first six hours were the worst. If you can make it until you go to bed it gets easier from there. My friends and familv did their best to keep my mind off food, but admittedly there were a few slip ups, most notably when my Mam called me down for breakfast, forgetting I was fasting.

1 really began to get hungry in the last three hours, but I knew it would not be long before I could eat again. As soon as it was seven o'clock, I ran down the stairs and raided the kitchen. The Fast may have been hard, but I would gladly do it again.

Many people think the fast is a waste of time and any money raised will not do anything to help others. Not true! If twenty people from our school raised only twenty-five euro each, that is enough to send nearly forty-two children in the third world to school. Of course more people took part and many raised much more than twenty-five euros, so more people in the third wrould can be educated. "Education is the most powerful tool there is to change the world", said Nelson Mandela which is why I feel the need to keep supporting Trocaire's projects for the sake of those less well off than myself.

As each Lenten season comes around Trocaire's campaign helps me be more mindful that a little money can go a long way.

Dermot Maher, 3 EAST

Irish Oral Examinations

All the students that were participating in this year's Leaving Certificate Oral Examinations had the wonderful opportunity to prepare for their Irish Oral Exams with Mr. Frank Welsh. 'Welshy' charged the lads €5 each for his excellent services and with the proceeds he purchased a goat (called Aidan) through 'Bothar' for an underdeveloped African village. Well done to all involved, including Aidan!

Second year CSPE project

Second year CSPE project - cake sale profits go to Street Children in South Africa (F.Walsh) €l50
Water balloons profits go to Dublin Hospice €220

Justice in Action

Looking back over the busy year it is remarkable to see all the generosity, kindness and enthusiasm that generated charitable work amongst this school community. A sincere thanks to each person who contributed in any way to generating these substantial sums. This highlights the outreach nature of the school community to share what wo have with people less fortunate in our world.

Fr Peter McVerry Trust €1386

Senior students worked hard in the shopping centres at Christmas time to persuade the public to give generously to the projects run by the Peter McVerry Trust that supports homeless people in the Dublin area.

Trocaire

Trocaire €2,884. This sum was mainly generated by Junior students through the 24-hour fast.

Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards collection was divided amongst the following charities: &euro3,240 The Christian Brothers Mission to Zambia, The Dublin Simon Community, Friends of Calcutta & Heart Children Ireland. This was a TY project that involved producing, marketing and selling originally designed Christmas cards.

Immersion Project -Connemarathon €500

Teachers walked and ran the half marathon in April. Their colleagues, friends and relatives were very supportive in this initiative.

Christmas food collection to Whitehall Social Services

Students brought food from their homes to fill hampers for those in need at Christmas.

Street Children in South Africa, Frank Walsh's collection - €5,550

Students from junior classes did a sponsored walk or silence to raise funds for street children in South Africa where Christian Brother Communities are working.