Saint Patrick’s College, Maghera returns to deliver vital aid to Romania

St Patrick’s College Maghera is returning to Romania to deliver vital aid to orphanages and hospitals in the Brasov region.

The College is travelling with Methodist College, Belfast in a cross-community initiative known as School Aid Romania.

Throughout Northern Ireland schools take part in this Cross Community Initiative which aims to build lasting friendships between students from different cultural backgrounds.

Each group of schools travel together for one week bringing aid in the form of medicines, vital equipment such as hearing aids, scanning machines, and monitoring equipment, they also bring toys, painting equipment, clothing, and money.

A group of 40 students and teachers and two volunteers from the community are making a trip to Romania with St Patrick’s College to deliver aid and assistance to several orphanages and hospitals in the Brasov area.

20 students from St Patrick’s College have been working extremely hard over the past number of months to fundraise for their forthcoming trip and in all have raised in excess of £20,000.

Mr Clifford, co-ordinator of School Aid Romania, says he never ceases to be astounded by the generosity of the local community.

"The fundraising efforts of the local community have impacted enormously on the orphanages in Romania and each year we see how we are gradually bettering the living conditions for many young teenagers and children," he said.

Mr Clifford paid tribute to the hard work of those who are travelling to Romania, and their peers, who every year raise enormous amounts of money for the appeal.

He continued: "St Patrick’s College has embraced the true spirit of SAR and has made it one of the foremost charities in the school community, he states that the students, their peers, their teachers and their families have really worked to ensure that this part of Northern Ireland, is able to assist those who are more needy that ourselves and have reached deep into their pockets and their hearts to help those who are greatly disadvantaged.

"In previous years’ students have helped to fund the establishment of new orphanages, update facilities in existing centres, and distribute money for the purchase of essentials such as fuel, furniture, washing machines, and clothing.

"In recent years’ students have used their limited time at orphanages to transform dreary classrooms and dormitories into bright, cartoon filled rooms – a much more stimulating environment for young children.

"This year students are facing a packed agenda and will be expected to entertain, decorate, renovate, purchase equipment, and distribute the funding they have raised to over ten centres. Students will spend time learning about Romanian culture, understanding why there are so many orphanages, learning about the extreme levels of past corruption and a country that is transitioning from the past regime. Central to this experience is them deciding where they will spend their hard-earned fundraising money and distribute the aid they bring out. The money raised this year will be used to fund employment for previously institutionalised children and to fund a food programme in needy villages."

Mrs Maura Devlin, of St. Patrick’s College, is very much looking forward to her tenth trip to Romania.

She said: "I am excited at the opportunity to travel to Romania again. I love visiting the children we support. Each year we see improvements in the conditions of some places, and it is nice to see how our efforts are helping, but there is much work still to be done and it will be interesting to investigate opportunities for projects that could be supported in future years."

Mr Clifford and the students travelling to Romania want to express their thanks to the pupils and staff of the College and the local community for their help and contributions.

He added: "The generosity of the local community astounds us each year and this year is no exception. With several key events held locally from concerts to quizzes, car washes, breakfasts, walks, raffles, and competitions the efforts have been nonstop, and the support has been outstanding. People have volunteered, bought tickets, attended events, walked, washed up and cooked to help us to raise the vital funds. We just couldn’t do it without that type of community and school spirit. The street collection in Magherafelt collected £465 for which we are very grateful. All of us going want to express our sincere thanks to Mrs K Crilly, Principal, of St Patrick's College who has given her backing and encouragement to the trip and continues to make this programme of aid a key element of life in the school."