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Charity night to highlight Nepal plight

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By Michelle Crean

A Killarney woman who was shocked with the level of poverty while volunteering abroad – now plans to help in any way possible – starting with a fundraiser in town next week.

Holly de Burgh (29) from Arbutus Grove, volunteered in Nepal last November, and now plans to hold a fundraising event on March 1 at the Curious Cat Café, at 7pm.

Holly, who studied film photography, plans to exhibit 15 photos taken during her time there, and will also make a presentation to create some awareness about the charity she worked with.

Holly travelled with friends to the capital city of Kathmandu a number of weeks before they were to start volunteering. There they met with Usha, the main facilitator who works closely with impoverished communities throughout Nepal.

“We had heard about Usha and the work she was doing through Sense of Yoga Ireland,” Holly told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

They then travelled to the city of Biratnagar in the East of Nepal and worked with a group of people referred to as the Musahar, from the Dalit caste.

“I had heard about the ‘untouchables’ in Nepal and India, a group of people so discriminated against that others would not eat food that had been prepared by the hand of a so called ‘untouchable’. There are over 220,000 people from the Dalit caste living in Nepal. Shelter and food are the main priority for these people, education takes a back seat and children are often required to work alongside their parents to help provide an income to the household. We spent time in two villages while we were volunteering, one named Shanthi. While there we built secure doors for a number of the homes and also benches and tables for the small school that we refurbished.”

They also provided books and stationary for the students in the school and teaching supplies for the volunteer teacher.

The second community was right on the border of India and Nepal, she added.

“Personally I have never seen people as poor as them. They live hand to mouth with limited access to medical care, education and employment. Poverty for these people is an accepted way of life and their inheritance, in a sense, is this resignation that the situation isn’t going to change for them.”

She added that it was hard to know what to expect from the volunteering in Nepal but it was the most rewarding and important experience of her life.

“To see what could be accomplished in such a short space of time was inspiring to me and to be part of the happiness these communities felt was incredible.”

“Our aim now is to create awareness about these people and the problems they face and in whatever way we can, be it one small step at a time, help to make things that little bit easier for them.”

Entry to the exhibition is €10 euro with a complimentary glass of wine and nibbles.

 

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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