From June 12th - 24th, 10 students from Fourth & Fifth Year in St. Mary’s College CSSp in Dublin travelled to Ghana as part of intensive training in Development Education. Hosted by the West African Province of the Holy Ghost Fathers, the Irish students completed an concentrated 10-day programme designed to prepare them to form part of the leadership team for third world education amongst their peers at school.

Our motivation for participating in this Aidlink-run initiative is that, in the past, boys in St. Mary’s were taught by men who had worked on the Missions. That direct contact with the Third World has almost run its course, and we feel that if we are to fulfil our mandate as a Holy Ghost College, we must find new ways of keeping alive the African connection.

The following September, the boys gave presentations to each class at St. Mary’s, and also spoke to class groups in local primary schools. They promoted specific projects that they have seen and lead future fundraising initiatives. We believe that their expertise on Development and Aid issues was of benefit to the entire College community.

Clive Byrne
Principal, St. Mary's College