21 NUIG students to build houses in Ghana

Home

News

Local News

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Twenty-one NUI, Galway student volunteers have been selected to travel to Ghana in May to help people build homes.

The students will spend two weeks in the Western African country, working and living on the construction site with the homeowners' families. Galway City Mayor Niall O Brolcháin announced the names of the chosen volunteers and launched the fund-raising efforts to finance the trip.

The trip is being organised by the NUI, Galway Chaplaincy, part of the University's Students Services, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity Ghana, which has already built over 4,000 homes in Ghana.

According to Habitat for Humanity Ghana, despite a high per capita output, the majority of Ghanaians live in overcrowded rooms with the attendant health problems. Response to the project from the university community has been huge with well over 250 people attending a preliminary information evening and over 110 people applying for places on the team.

One of the teams' leaders, Sr Avril O'Regan from NUI, Galway's chaplaincy, said, "The group of volunteers is comprised of enthusiastic students who, having been afforded the opportunities of a university education in Ireland, wish to give something back to those less well of. This is a unique opportunity to become active partners with people of another culture and help build homes and hope."

Sister Avril continued, "Enthusiasm and volunteers are assets we have in abundance for this exciting and challenging project, but we require material and financial support. Sending a team abroad entails significant cost, which the team must fund entirely. Money raised goes to cover personal costs e.g. travel, insurance, food and water, as well as project costs, including a substantial contribution towards the construction of the houses. In total, the team seeks to raise in excess of €60,000."

The NUI, Galway group comprises 24 people, including three team leaders. The 21 students chosen for the team are drawn from a variety of faculties and counties. The team leaders are Sr Avril O'Regan (Dean of Residence/Chaplain NUI Galway), Mr Peter Mannion (Students' Union Education Officer, NUI Galway) and Fr Gabriel Kinahan (Franciscan, The Abbey).

Those interested in supporting this work, may make a donation by sending it to Habitat for Humanity, c/o Sr Avril O'Regan, Dean of Residence, NUI Galway. All monies received will go directly to this project. Further information can be obtained from Sr Avril O'Regan on 091-492168 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ), from Peter Mannion on 091-493707 ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or by visiting www.habitatireland.ie.

Comments (0) »