Finals spot for Senan’s education project

FOURTH class, St Senan’s National School, Kilrush were one of three Munster schools to reach the All-Irelandfinals in the Irish Aid Education for All project. Their project, entitled Education Transformation, was one of the All-Ireland finalists.
Entry comprised of a 3m x 7m mural in the school’s PE hall, pen pal letters to City of Hope orphanage in Zambia, where their teacher, Michelle Eustace and a colleague teacher, Dympna Walsh volunteered last summer, board games, posters and their very own song called Stronger for Longer, all promoting education for all.
Twenty eight children, along with staff members, left St Senan’s National School at 6am on Tuesday, June 18, to embark on a fun-filled unforgettable journey, where one of the highlights was singing their song, Stronger for Longer, for Hector Ó hEochagáin on 2FM, as well as on stage in Croke Park incorporating bongos, guitars, shakers, concertinas, a violin, dancers, solo singers, group singers and even Gangnam Style into the perfomance.
In their posters, fourth class portrayed their dreams for education for all.
“I dream that every country would have 100% education. I dream that nobody would be blind, hungry or homeless. Education for all will make this happen,” wrote Bartek Jamroz.
Another fourth class pupil, Famous Isiesi, wishes that “All the children in the world become what they want to be when they grow up”.
Last year St Senan’s National School  and Kilrush community raised €1,440.80 for children in City of Hope Orphanage, Zambia. A school arts and crafts fair, a non-uniform day and fundraiser night sponsored by local businesses and entertainment provided by Kilrush band The Misfits, all contributed. This year the school is raising money for children in need in South America.
Children at St Senan’s donated unused jerseys to the children in Zambia, which was like all their Christmases came at once. St Senan’s National School  are donating unused jerseys this year for children in need in South America. With their jerseys they are enclosing a letter, Martin Walsh from fourth class wrote, “The jersey I am giving you, I won a soccer final in it. I hope you will get good luck as well”.
Caleb, who lives at City of Hope with his mother and his siblings, Taona and Adasa, gladly posed for the camera as he modelled his new jersey from Jack Cleary, fifth class. 
Fourth class were overjoyed to receive letters all the way from Zambia. In her pen pal letter, Katie Power exclaimed her excitement by writing, “Hey Nellia, Thank you so much for your letter, when I got it I nearly jumped from my chair”.
She concluded her letter by saying, “I’ll keep in touch and hope you can write back. Love you lots and God bless you and your family. When I’m saying my prayers I won’t forget you or your family.”
In pen pal letters children from fourth class learnt that children in Zambia walk to school, which can take up to two hours each way, they get up as early as 5am. they assemble for the rosary each day at 5pm, they love to say God bless you and most importantly that they love going to school and cherish the opportunities that education may bring their way.
In her pen pal letter to Tomek, Sylvia from Zambia wrote “I like playing football, dancing, singing and praying. I love City of Hope because we go to school, pray and eat.”
“Our volunteering experience at the City of Hope orphanage in Zambia made a huge impact on our lives and indeed on the lives of the children we teach. It was very rewarding for the children of St Senan’s to see and hear about the direct impact of the money they helped raise.
“We were amazed to see how some of the most vulnerable children in the world can offer so much with their beautiful smiles, friendship and zest for life,” Michelle Eustace said.
“We were privileged to be part of such a happy and welcoming community who left no stone unturned to share their cultures and kindness with us. We have continued to share cultures by children from Scoil Realt na Mara, Kilkee, St Senan’s National School, Kilrush and City of Hope children writing penpal letters,” Dympna Walsh noted.