Midleton CBS ‘Mayo Charity Challenge’ in support of the Hermano Manolo Centre, Bolivia

I became involved in the Edmund Rice Outreach Project because I wanted to learn more about the challenges faced
by people living in poverty, and also to experience being involved in a fundraising effort. I enjoyed the physical challenge in Mayo and had great fun with my friends. I have come to realise that many people are much worse off than I originally thought and how challenging it can be to raise funds. Ed

Midleton CBS Edmund Rice Transition Year Outreach Project is a programme of activities, events and reflections which encourages transition year students towards active citizenship in the spirit and charisma of Blessed Edmund Rice. During the programme, students were challenged to look beyond their own self-interest and focus on the plight of those less fortunate. The programme took place over a 10 week period, concluding with the Mayo Charity Challenge on 23rd – 25th April 2015.

A total of 22 transition year students, accompanied by three teachers, undertook the two-day challenge, which entailed climbing Croagh Patrick and a 100 km cycle on the Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill Island and back. All participants committed to raise funds to support the Hermano Manolo Centre in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The Centre provides multi-faceted support services for 40 working children who access the project on a daily basis, and for a further 30-40 children who access the centre on a ‘drop-in basis’.

Speaking about the experience, Midleton CBS students said:

“I became involved in the Edmund Rice Outreach Project because I wanted to learn more about the challenges faced by people living in poverty, and also to experience being involved in a fundraising effort. I enjoyed the physical challenge in Mayo and had great fun with my friends. I have come to realise that many people are much worse off than I originally thought and how challenging it can be to raise funds”. Ed

“I became involved in the Edmund Rice Outreach Project when I heard about how we could help Street Children in Bolivia. Going away on the Mayo Challenge with the lads from my class also sounded great. I really enjoyed the physical challenge although I was wrecked at the end of each day. I have learned how important it is to put other people’s needs ahead of my own and also to try to help those who are in greater need”. Michael

Midleton CBS students were joined by Blarney Street CBS Primary School on a number of initiatives during the outreach programme, such as for the cleaning-up of Br. Rice Avenue in Cork City as photographed below.

Blarney St. CBS Primary School also joined Midleton CBS in their effort to raise funds for the Hermano Manolo Centre.

Courtesy of Edmund Rice Development and Midleton CBS