One evening last week, I travelled to Enniscorthy. I had been invited to address the Family and Volunteer evening at CWCW (County Wexford Community Workshops). Enniscorthy is a three-hour drive from Cork so I left shortly after school.

When I hear the word “volunteer” in connection with people with special needs, I want to know more. To be honest, families cannot survive without volunteers who step in when the going gets tough. With financial constraints on our country’s budgets, the value of the volunteer, in this field, cannot be underestimated. I believe that if more people were encouraged to get involved, then people with disabilities would be enabled to live valued lives and our communities would be richer.

The traffic was appalling and as the satnav continued to increase the time for my journey due to accidents, I was beginning to panic. Still, I had time to note the large amount of land that has been tilled in the Wexford area. I could see why it’s called the sunny southeast.

The last straw came when entering New Ross. Traffic was down to a crawl. My technology announced a further 15-minute delay. I got into the car park in CWCW with one minute to spare. I received a wonderful welcome from Trevor Jacob, CEO, Annette Fenlon, volunteer co-ordinator, Jacqui Murphy, day service and care manager and the participants.

VOLUNTEERING

As proceedings got underway, it was evident that the staff and clients had huge respect for each other and the volunteers were held in high regard.

Rosemary Wilson detailed her experience as a volunteer and gym buddy. She is retired and the first thing that caught her eye about the advertisement searching for volunteers was the question: “Do you have spare time?” She knew she had. That was what prompted her to get involved. She enjoys keeping fit and the person that she supports loves it too, so it’s win-win situation all around.

Each volunteer working with people with disabilities is making a huge contribution to our society. Every person that gets out there with our vulnerable people is working towards a more inclusive society. I had a lovely evening in Wexford. Over 200 people are supported by CWCW and they have a whopping 70 volunteers involved. Some attend the centre three times a week. Their contribution cannot be measured.

VOLUNTEERING ABROAD –

AFRICA DIRECT

There are all sorts of ways of volunteering. For some, their special interest lies in foreign lands. That, too, is very worthwhile and encapsulates a travel bug with the will to make life a bit better for fellow human beings.

John Slattery from Glanmire, Co Cork, has been involved with Africa Direct for many years. John contacted me because he thought the readers of Irish Country Living might be interested in getting involved in helping farmers in Western Kenya. Firstly, participants would be able to experience the magnificence of Africa while working with a humble, dignified community recovering from extreme poverty.

With funds from Irish Aid, the local Kenyan Good Shepherd Sisters have built a training centre and accommodation on a 10-acre farm outside the town of Kitale. Here they support the community of Kipsongo slum. Every summer, Africa Direct brings a group of eight volunteers to Kitale for two weeks. Last years’ volunteers were aged from 20 to 60. During the project, good food and accommodation is provided. Back in 2008, the Kipsongo community of refugees were living in abject poverty. People lived in one-room “paper houses” – a frame of branches covered in waste plastic. Children scavenged and begged to survive.

They chose sleeping on the streets with a bottle of glue above sharing the only bed in a “paper house”. Women and men had no hope and no dignity left. With the assistance of funds from Africa Direct, the Kenyan Good Shepherd Sisters provided the leadership required. The community used the funds to build themselves two-room mud houses. Training in craft making and farming has generated income for the people. A pre-school with meals provided, also funded by Irish Aid, means that the children now have a future.

John tells me that 36 women now share 11 acres where the volunteers help them to grow maize. Unlike other packed city slums, Kipsongo slum does have space. Volunteers have assisted the women to start vegetable patches around their mud houses.

The Sisters’ farm produces cattle, pigs, hens and vegetables. They also have Tilapia fish ponds, geese, guinea pigs and banana trees. Wholesome meals from the farm’s produce are cooked every day for the volunteers.

THE COST

The cost to be part of the volunteering group is €1,670 for two weeks. It amounts to a little more if you are fundraising for your costs. Staying on the farm means money is saved on accommodation, so €900 from each volunteer goes into projects. The funds you raise are handed over while you are in Africa.

John says: “Mixing and working with the community is more fun than productive, it’s those funds that the volunteers bring that make the difference. The mud houses cost €200 each. These houses have allowed families to keep their children from living on the streets and have given dignity back to the women of Kipsongo.”

Everyone has something to give at some stage in a lifetime. It might be at home, it might be abroad. Maybe you have some time for the local service provider in your area? If so, do make contact. Africa Direct may interest you.

It is a small, all-voluntary, Cork-based charity. John is looking for eight volunteers for two weeks in June. For more information, phone 021-4806425 or email africadirect@gmail.com CL