Derry's St Joseph's Boy's School raises a fantastic £2,400 for Uisce for Gaza'

The whole school community of St Joseph's Boy's School in Derry has raised a fantastic £2,400 through its 'Uisce for Gaza' appeal.

Announcing the amazing achievement on social media yesterday, the school said: "Our school raised £2,400 all of which went directly to Mohammed, a teacher from Northern Gaza who worked tirelessly to bring water to communities not serviced by mainstream humanitarian organisations, due to their location.

"A huge thanks to our students, parents, staff, local and wider community and community organisations who all played a part to bring aid to the people of Gaza. Go raibh maith agat!"

Back in November, when St Joseph's began its 'Uisce for Gaza' fundraising, Ms Ann Marie Meehan, who teaches Spanish and French in the school told The Derry News: "Over the past year we have watched the horror unfold in Gaza and have felt very helpless.”

A co-organiser of the Uisce for Gaza fundraiser which took place in the school on Friday, November 22, from 9am to 11.00am, Ann Marie said as soon as she heard about the initiative through the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) she thought, ‘This is it. This is something we can do’.

Uisce for Gaza is working with Mohammed Alazzami, who is raising funds for new water pipelines and water transport in Gaza and currently provides clean water to the people in Gaza.

Mohamed is a father, grandfather and former teacher who is currently displaced in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. 

Israel has damaged large amounts of water infrastructure in Gaza, forcing people to walk long distances to reach the nearest water pumps. 

“Mohamed Alazzami has delivered 37 trucks of water to different areas in Gaza,” said Ann Marie.

She added: “Each truck carries 4,500 litres of water, so 166,500 litres of clean drinking water have been brought to thousands of desperate families since this campaign began almost two months ago.

“Due to the amazing generosity of the Irish people and others, Uisce for Gaza is hopeful it will be able to continue to provide Mohamed with enough money to continue daily water deliveries and occasional food drops,” said Ann Marie. 

Gerry McBride, who teaches IT at St Joseph’s and was organising Friday’s Uisce for Gaza fundraiser with Ann Marie, said the whole school community was taking part.

“On Friday we are having a non-uniform day in school so any student who donates £1 doesn’t have to wear their uniform. 

“We are also hosting a coffee morning in the school for our students and we are inviting parents, grandparents and guardians too. Really, anyone in the community who wants to drop in, have a cuppa and make a donation to a very worthy cause is very welcome,” said Gerry, who added the refreshments would be accompanied by some entertainment provided by the St Joseph’s students. 

New Gaelic Disability Team 'Foyle All Stars' launched in Derry

The Foyle All Stars are now recruiting new players to play Gaelic football & Hurling, get active and meet other young people

Talented sisters set to represent Derry in Ulster Fleadh

“Everyone in the school has been running various fundraisers. We had a raffle last week and we are having another one this week and one on Friday morning as well.

“We are also running a ‘Golden Minute’ soccer prediction event next week. Apparently they are a good source of fundraising.

We have to thank everyone who has already given us a donation and the teachers throughout the school who have taken Uisce For Gaza to Heart and organised activities, for example, there is a beautiful sweet hamper up for grabs,” said Gerry.

More information on Uisce for Gaza can be found here:  Instagram: @uisceforgaza. Email: uisceforgaza@gmail.com  GoFundMe: Uisce for Gaza! (Get fresh water to the people of Gaza).