| Volunteering |
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Many Irish people, especially young people after graduating from college, like to volunteer for a period with NGOs or missionaries in developing countries. There are now many such opportunities available. Some volunteer for a short period and others for much longer periods. Irrespective of how long one is volunteering for it is most important to prepare adequately - both physically and mentally - to be ready for any health or personal safety risks, and to be conscious of the culture, traditions, beliefs, and practices of the people in these countries, and to be aware of the possibility of traumatic scenes. It is also important to have an objective in what one wants to do as a volunteer, and to prepare accordingly. Advances in communications, and the availability of good information on the Internet facilitates good preparation. In recent years volunteers have gone to South Africa to support MSC missions. Gorey natives - Phillippa Doran and Deirdre Donohoe - went to work with Fr. Pat Galvin, msc in 2006. They had the objective of providing water for the people of Bordeux. You can read Phillippa’s report here. In 2007 Yvonne Aherne from Killarney volunteered with Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in the Holy Family Centre in Ofcolaco. Her objective was to work with AIDS orphans and to use her IT skills for the benefit of missionaries. You can read her report here. A Dublin couple – both doctors – will be volunteering for three weeks next summer to provide relief for medical personnel in an orphan care centre and hospice in South Africa. Enquiries about volunteering with MSCs will be welcome in the Mission Support Centre at 021-4545704 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |