Abbey Grammar School - zambian Immersion Project

Fundraising

On the 25th March 2009, a group of ten students and four teachers from the Abbey Grammar School will travel to Livingstone in Zambia. The purpose of their visit is to raise awareness of and combat the problems of poverty and lack of educational opportunity in the Developing World.

Since the first, groundbreaking immersion in 2002, the wider Abbey community have linked the generosity and compassion of the Newry and Mourne Area with the challenge of daily poverty in Christian Brothers’ schools in Zambia. The Brothers, with four decades of experience in education and charity work in the country, are in a unique position to realise the hopes and dreams of those in Ireland and in Zambia.

While in Zambia (a nation in southern Africa about nine times the size of Ireland, with around 11 million people), this year’s group will teach in the severely under-funded schools, in the Southern town of Livingstone, bringing valuable skills and hope to children and teachers alike. During their two-and-a-half weeks’ work they will experience the harsh realities of extreme poverty in a way that can only otherwise be imagined.

Since the inception of the project in 2002, a total of 25 students and 8 teachers have been to Livingstone. The difference this has made to lives, both of privileged and of the needy, cannot be fully comprehended by anyone without first-hand experience of the project’s effects - in fact, the importance of first-hand experience is a fundamental feature of the project. The hope that the experience of life for the world’s most disadvantaged people will change the outlook of everyone fortunate enough to be involved is the cornerstone of the Project. The students return with a renewed energy to work for change (many hope to re-visit Africa in their adult lives), with a deeper understanding of what must be done to bring justice to developing nations, and, in the furthest-reaching effect of the experience, bring their enthusiasm and knowledge into the school and local community.

The fundraising efforts for the project mean that the work for the group begins months before their journey to Zambia. The team’s key financial aim is to donate as much money as possible to local, specific projects in southern Zambia. In this manner, the group are able to provide the most direct possible link between where the money is raised and where the money is needed most. As education is a central aspect of the Immersion Project, the Abbey have pledged to refurbish a school, providing teachers’ salaries and students’ fees for the foreseeable future.

Previous Fundraising

On Friday 1st December 2006, at 8.00pm, a Night at the Races in aid of the Zambian project took place in the Aylesfort House, Warrenpoint. This included a raffle, race prizes, a 70’s disco and buffet, and promises to provide a great night’s entertainment to benefit an extremely worthy cause. The support of the local people enabled the students and teachers to realise their dream to make a difference.

Abbey Zambian Immersion Project 2005

Pictured with young school children from the Linda Community School, Livingstone, Zambia, are Mr Hugh Markey and Mr Mark Grogan of the Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Newry. They have just returned from a 9 day trip to Zambia, where they have been preparing the way for themselves, school Chaplain, Sr. Anne Lyng and eight pupils to go and work in the Livingstone area next March. During this two week period they will work in schools, orphanages and hospitals. The cost of this venture will be met by fund raising by the pupils of the Abbey.

A Gala Benefit Night will be held on Friday 22nd October in the new Dundalk Greyhound Stadium. Already much work has gone into the planning of this and it is hoped that all connected to the school will warmly contribute to this worthy cause.

Zambian Immersion Project 2005
Gala Benefit Greyhound Meeting - Dundalk 22nd October 2005

A Gala Benefit night was held in Dundalk Greyhound Stadium on Friday 22nd October 2005 to raise much needed funds for the Abbey Zambia Immersion Project 2005.

Origins of the Project

In 2002 as part of the Bicentenary celebrations of the foundation of the Christian Brothers’, links were formed between schools in Ireland and Zambia where the Brothers’ have been working for over 40 years.

In 2003, seven students and three teachers from the Abbey went to work in Livingstone in the south of Zambia. In March 2005, eight students and three teachers will return.

Purpose of the Project

Short Term

To Provide some immediate help and support for those who are much poorer than ourselves.
Offering students an opportunity to get first hand experience of Zambia, its culture, problems and beauty.

Long Term

The hope is that this experience will have a major impact on the students who are fortunate enough to travel.
We would sincerely hope that some if not all of the students would return to the developing world at a later stage and offer their time and talents in some capacity.

Cost Of The Project

The actual cost of sending eleven people to Zambia, including the cost of flights and accommodation is around £12,000.
Our aim is to double this figure and to leave the balance in the capable hands of those who work on the ground in Livingstone to help the people of the area.

The Benefit Meeting will go some way towards our target. Much work will still have to be done before March 2005 but with the support of fellow teachers, pupils and parents and members of the local community we are confident we will reach this target.

The Zambia Immersion Team wish to thank all who helped make the night such a success.

Gala Benefit Night

‘Abbey Students To Tackle Poverty & Deprivation In Zambia’

In March 2005, a group of eight senior students Kevin Dyas, Richard Gilmore, Mark McGuigan, Kevin McKernan, Kevin McManus, Michael O’Hare, Darren Rowland and Aodhán Rafferty and three teachers: Sr. Anne Lyng, Mr. Mark Grogan and Mr. Hugh Markey will travel to Zambia.

This presents the students with a first hand experience of the poverty and deprivation of Zambia - a developing country. Whilst there they will network with the Christian Brothers’ Community and Outreach programmes, including working in schools, orphanages and hospitals

In the short term the aim is two fold: • One to provide some immediate help and support for those who are much poorer than ourselves, • Offering our Students an opportunity to get first hand experience of Zambia, its culture, problems and challenges.

We would hope that even if one of these boys continues to assist the developing world, by returning or raising awareness and funds in his own community in the future, then the people of Zambia will continue to reap the benefits for many years to come.

In our fund raising efforts we acknowledge the generosity of the community so far.

The groups major fund raising activity is a planned Benefit Night in the Dundalk Greyhound Stadium on Friday 22nd October 2004.

We would be grateful if you would support this worthy project by purchasing tickets priced £10, available from the school (028 30263142). This ticket will gain admission to the Greyhound Stadium and free entry into a draw for valuable prizes. Or why not enjoy a four course meal in the Champions Restaurant (catering provided by The Cube Restaurant, Dundalk) including admission, cost £35. As well as enjoying the ten races you can experience great music whilst you relax in the comfortable surrounds of the luxurious new stadium.

We encourage and welcome any donations which can be made directly to the Abbey Grammar School Zambian Project, this money will be donated directly to those groups which the team determine are most in need.

Zambian Solidarity In The Abbey - December 2002

As part of the Bicentenary celebrations of the foundation of the Christian Brothers, a group of seven senior students Conor Rodgers, Joseph Murphy, Paul Campbell, Steven Malone, Barry McDonough, Christopher Cull, Richard Gordon and three teachers: Sr. Anne Lyng, Mr. Connolly and Mr. Maguire from the Abbey are going to Zambia for two weeks work experience in April 2003.

Students and staff going to Zambia along with teachers and headmaster.

In the short term the aim is two fold:

· One to provide some immediate help and support for those who are much poorer than ourselves

· Offering our Students an opportunity to get first hand experience of Zambia, its culture, problems and challenges.

The Headmaster, Mr Dermot McGovern, expressed his delight that students and staff choose to develop such a venture, pointing out the long term investment for our students. There is no doubt that this experience will have a major impact on them. We would hope that even if one of these boys continues to assist the developing world, by returning or raising awareness and funds in his own community in the future, then the people of Zambia will continue to reap the benefits for many years to come.

To raise whole school awareness and involve the whole Abbey community in the Zambian Project we are organising a:

Zambian Solidarity Day on Thursday 5th December.

·         Each student will donate £2.00 for the Non Uniform Day.

·         During Morning Lessons staff will focus on different aspects of Zambia: e.g., Overall facts and context of the country, Economic situation, AIDS, Food, Geography, Impact of the Christian Brothers etc

·         Sponsored Silence 2.10 – 3.20 p.m. Students study for Christmas exams.

In our fund raising efforts we acknowledge the generosity of the community so far. We encourage and welcome any donations which can be made directly to the Abbey Grammar School Zambian Project, this money will be donated directly to those groups which the team determine are most in need.

If you would like any further information, please email us Abbey Zambia Project

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