Loukoumi ‘Make A Difference’ Directors Visit St. Joseph’s Boys School

Directors from the Loukoumi Foundation paid a visit to Derry recently and spent a full day with St. Joseph’s Boys School travelling in the ‘Good Deeds Bus’ and helping make a difference at a number of venues as part of highlighting the school’s recent success in winning the Loukoumi ‘Make A Difference’ award 2024 in the United States.

Based in America, the Loukoumi ‘Make A Difference’ Foundation envisions a future in which all children have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.#

IN PICTURES: Loukoumi award winners ‘Good Deeds Bus’ tours Derry schools and Foyle Hospice

The Foundation encourages children and young adults to make a difference in their own lives by following their career dreams and to make a difference in the lives of others by paying forward their talents through community service projects that mean something to them – all while having fun in the process.

The school was put forward for the awards last year by no other than His Eminence Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All-Ireland and the students participated in various online activities with a host of other schools from around the world before picking up the Loukoumi ‘Make A Difference’ award this year.

Directors Nick Katsoris and Patrick O'Connor, started their day with Mass in St. Eugene’s Cathedral followed by a meeting with the city and district’s Mayor, Lillian Seenoi-Barr where the two gave her a Loukoumi ‘Make A Difference’ award for the city of Derry and she then presented an award to St. Joseph’s for all their good deeds.

Then it was on to Ardnashee School where students from St. Joseph’s played an indoor soccer match against the students of Ardnashee. This was followed by a visit to the Brandywell and Naiscoil and Gaelscoil Eadain Mhoir school where pupils were presented with backpacks, stationery and school supplies. In return, the visiting group were treated to some beautiful Irish singing, dancing and a solo harp performance.

The final destination was the Foyle Hospice. There, the directors were given a tour of the facilities, while St. Joseph’s students assisted Hospice staff with needed activities, brought toiletries to donate and a care package for the staff as an expression of thanks.

Speaking after the day’s events, Principal Mrs. Ciara Deane said it was a wonderful experience for all the students to build on what they had won in the United States. She also praised the two directors for taking time to come to the city and spend time with the students in their day of ‘Good Deeds’ activities.

Staff from Ardnashee School and College welcome the 'Good Deeds Bus' representatives from St. Joseph's Boys School and the Loukoumi Foundation to the school.

"It is credit to our boys who spent the full day carrying out good deeds at the various schools we visited. They put in so much hard work during the day and having Nick and Patrick onboard the Deeds Bus was a pleasure and something I hope they enjoyed.

"This is just the beginning of what we hope to achieve in our ‘Make A Difference’ year and come September, we will be taking part in many more ‘good deeds’ both within and outside our school. A big well done to all our boys!"