alexandra college yearbook: section 4 - the college and the world

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THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011 Irish Nepalese Education Trust...........................................................................125 Classics and Geography Trip................................................................................126 Seachtain na Gaeilge.............................................................................................127 CSPE...............................................................................................................128-129 Eurpoean Youth Parliament............................................................................130-131 etCetera, Green School Committee and Model United Nations..........................132 Hope Foundation............................................................................................133-135 Concert for Calcutta........................................................................................136-137 Fashion Show ..................................................................................................138-139 SECTION IV - THE COLLEGE AND THE WORLD INET acknowledges Alex’s contribution I n a recent visit to Alexandra College, Dr. Jane Fenlon, Director of Irish Nepalese Educational Trust spoke to the pupils and thanked them for the tremendous contribution they had made towards the work of INET. Fundraising had started in 2005 with a walk from Alex to the top of Lugnaquilla and in 2006, a group of teachers from Alex trekked for days to the remote village of Phuleli in the foot- hills of the Himalayas in Nepal just 50 miles south of Mount Everest. Their mission was to lay the foundation stone for a new pre-primary school. Enthusiastic fundraising by the teachers, pupils and parents had raised a substantial sum, which was used to support the work of INET in the village. Undertaking charitable initiatives have always being a feature of school activities in Alexandra College and the pupils really took this initiative to heart and by 2008 a staggering sum of over 37,000 euros was raised. This generosity is indicative of the concern and interest the pupils of Alexandra have for children in the developing world. Work on the school then forged ahead using local materials. The land, which had been donated by the local community was cleared and levelled; rocks were hewn from the hillside and cut into building blocks; local wood provided the materials for doors, windows and floors. And in 2008 at Easter time Mrs. Margaret Wynne, Deputy Principal of Alexandra College officially opened a bright new well- equipped school – the ‘Bal Vatika’. It was a day of celebration for the village. The local children love attending the school. Children from the Rai, Sherpa, Brahmin and Dalit communities all go to school together. In 2010, the school was selected as a centre of excellence by the Education authorities in Nepal. The local people are extremely proud of their school and every child now attends school. This year Alex raised further funds for Phuleli with a raffle and a pre Christmas fun day. These funds were used to pay for an extra teacher and provide further equipment for the school. The lives of the people of Phuleli are hard: they are subsistence farmers growing their crops on narrow terraces on steep slopes. They put a high value on education and are keen to educate their children to give them a better life. As one villager said ‘we must educate our children: education is wealth’. It is through the altruistic actions of the pupils of Alexandra College, the children of Phuleli will attain that wealth through the provision of a new and better school. 124 125 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011 Irish Nepalese Education Trust

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Page 1: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Irish Nepalese Education Trust...........................................................................125Classics and Geography Trip................................................................................126Seachtain na Gaeilge.............................................................................................127CSPE...............................................................................................................128-129Eurpoean Youth Parliament............................................................................130-131etCetera, Green School Committee and Model United Nations..........................132Hope Foundation............................................................................................133-135Concert for Calcutta........................................................................................136-137 Fashion Show..................................................................................................138-139

SECTION IV - THE COLLEGE AND THE WORLDINET acknowledges Alex’s contribution

In a recent visit to Alexandra College, Dr. Jane Fenlon, Director of Irish Nepalese Educational Trust spoke to the pupils and thanked them for the tremendous contribution they had made towards the

work of INET. Fundraising had started in 2005 with a walk from Alex to the top of Lugnaquilla and in 2006, a group of teachers from Alex trekked for days to the remote village of Phuleli in the foot-hills of the Himalayas in Nepal just 50 miles south of Mount Everest. Their mission was to lay the foundation stone for a new pre-primary school. Enthusiastic fundraising by the teachers, pupils and parents had raised a substantial sum, which was used to support the work of INET in the village. Undertaking charitable initiatives have always being a feature of school activities in Alexandra College and the pupils really took this initiative to heart and by 2008 a staggering sum of over 37,000 euros was raised. This generosity is indicative of the concern and interest the pupils of Alexandra have for children in the developing world.

Work on the school then forged ahead using local materials. The land, which had been donated by the local community was cleared and levelled; rocks were hewn from the hillside and cut into building blocks; local wood provided the materials for doors, windows and floors. And in 2008 at Easter time Mrs. Margaret Wynne, Deputy Principal of Alexandra College officially opened a bright new well-equipped school – the ‘Bal Vatika’. It was a day of celebration for the village.

The local children love attending the school. Children from the Rai, Sherpa, Brahmin and Dalit communities all go to school together. In 2010, the school was selected as a centre of excellence by the Education authorities in Nepal. The local people are extremely proud of their school and every child now attends school. This year Alex raised further funds for Phuleli with a raffle and a pre Christmas fun day. These funds were used to pay for an extra teacher and provide further equipment for the school. The lives of the people of Phuleli are hard: they are subsistence farmers growing their crops on narrow terraces on steep slopes. They put a high value on education and are keen to educate their children to give them a better life. As one villager said ‘we must educate our children: education is wealth’. It is through the altruistic actions of the pupils of Alexandra College, the children of Phuleli will attain that wealth through the provision of a new and better school.

124 125 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Irish Nepalese Education Trust

Page 2: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Sixth Year Classics and Geography Tour of Rome, Pompeii and theBay of Naples

Before half-term, a group of 22 sixth years travelled to Italy for five days. We were staying in Sorrento, and had a lot on our itinerary: Mount Vesuvius and Solfatera, the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Naples, the Isle of Capri, the Amalfi Coast and of course the city of Rome.

There were students on the trip studying both Classics and Latin for the Leaving Cert and this trip proved very beneficial to our courses. From a classicist’s pointof view, we got to see up close the monuments we study mainly from pictures intextbooks.

Firstly, we travelled to Herculaneum. Herculaneum was buried after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, and thus there were archaeological ruins and even skeletons to be found there. Many houses were very well preserved, and we observed wall paintings, mosaics and ruins of Roman Baths.

The next day we travelled to Pompeii. This was a favourite for many on the trip. It was fascinating to walk down the streets and imagine life for those living in Roman times. Here we saw amphithe-atres, temples, the house of Caecilius whom we all studied in first year, dead bodies reproduced in plaster, the forum, and specific buildings such as bakeries and a brothel!

Then we took a boat the Isle of Capri, where we visited the palace of Tiberius. And from there, it was to Naples, where we could see many more artifacts from Pompeii preserved in the Archaeo-logical Museum. This was home to sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and even tools of the time from Pompeii.

On our final day, we began our long-awaited journey to Rome itself. Here we had a guided tour of the Coliseum and explored the Roman Forum and Pantheon. These are all monuments we study for our exams so it made a huge difference to see them up close. The whole trip made our study of Roman History, Art and Architecture more accessible and interesting. But most importantly, there was a great fun had by all!

Rachel Fitzpatrick 6R

Póg mo thóin ar fud an domhain“Cén fath a fhoghlaimímid an ghaeilge? Níl aon úsaid ag an ngaeilge seachas b’fhéidir cúpla duine a chónaíonn sa Ghaeltacht.” N’fheadar an mó uair a chuala mé an abairt sin, fiche nó tríocha uair i mbliana. Is oth liom a rá go raibh an smaoineamh sin agam cúpla bliain ó shin, ach féach orm anois leathlíofa sa ghaeilge agus an an-bhróduil asam féin.

Tá grá agam don ghaeilge, agus níl naire agam é a rá. Ní thuigeann m’aoisghrúpa. Níl an grá acu don ghaeilge toisc go gceapann siad nach bfhuil aon úsaid leis an teanga. Ach más gaeilgeoir thú ba cheartgaeilge a bheith agat. Mar a deirtear “Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam”.Is í an Ghaeilge teanga na tíre seo agus gan an teanga aoibhinn sin níl aon anam inti. Ní bheimid ach cosúil le gach tír eile, ní bheimid Éireannach a thuilleadh, bheimis “Ireland” an tír a chaill a teanga.

Nuair a chuaigh mé chuig Méiriceá, agus d’inis dos na Méiricanaigh gur gaeilgeoir mé and chéad cheist a bhí acu dom ná “An labhraíonn tú as gaeilge?” Bíonn bród orm nuair a deirim leo go bhfuilim líofa. Agus tar eis cúpla abairt gaeilge a thabhairt leo agus “póg mo thóin” a mhúineadh dóibh, bíonn bród orm as a teanga álainn seo. Ach cad atá ag tarlú? Tá an ghaeilge ag fail bháis.Tá a fhios agam cén fath.

Níl an ghaeilge múinte i gceart. I mo bhunscoil níor fhoghlaim mé gaeilge d’fholghlaim mé gráin donghaeilge. Ní raibh sé muinte i gceart, níor fhoghlaim mé conas í a labhairt cosúil lé mo chéad teanga Béarla, d’fhoghlaim mé focail, mar shampla ‘capall’ agus ‘bainne’. Níor thaitin sé liom ar chor ar bith.Ach sin an modh a bhí acu i mo shean bhunscoil, ach ní mar sin a bhí sé i g‘Colaiste na Rinne’.

I mo thuairim tá sé éasca gaeilge a fhoghlaim agus a mhúineadh. Tá ort a bheith timpeall na teanga an t-am ar fad, caithfidh tú í a phiocadh suas mar a phioc tú suas do chéad teanga. Tá seo chomh simplí. Más rud é go gcaitheann gach uile scólaire bliain nó dhó i ngaelscoil, beidh grá don ghaeilge le feiscint, agus beigh “Póg mo thón” á rá ar fud an domhain.

Caoilfhionn Ní Dhúgáin, bliain a dó, Coláiste Alexandra.

Seachtain na GaeilgeBhí seachtain na Gaeilge íontach againn i gcoláiste Alexandra i mbliana.

Bhíomar ag ceiliúradh seachtain ghlas ag an am céanna. Bhí ar gach dalta gléasadh suas mar théamaí ón timpeallacht- modhanna taistil, earraí athchúrsála, fuinneamh inathnuaite agus an nádúr. Gan aon agó bhí an ‘culchie bus’ ó dhaltaí cónaithe sa tríú bliain an-ghreann-mhar gan dabht.

Rinne gach bliain rud difriúl, bhí orainn póstéir a dhéanamh agus labhairt i nGaelge i dtionóil na maidine i gcómhair seachtain na Gaeilge. Bhí an t-ádh dhearg ar an dara bliain mar tugadh cuireadh dúinn tráth na gceist a dhéanamh i gcoláiste Íosagáin. Bhí an-spraoi againn ann agus tiocfaidh siad chugainn go Coláiste Alex an bhliain seo chugainn.

Bhí bord na gaeilge sa bhialann agus rinne gach duine iarracht a gcuid gaeilge a úsáid. Gach lá fograíodh nuacht an lae ar raidió Alex ag am sosa agus bhaineamar an-taitneamh as bheith ag iarraidh na guthanna a aithint. Ag meánlae bhí ceolchoirm mhór na seachtaine sa halla tionóil, sheinn an grúpa tradisiúnta amhráin agus ceol tradis-iúnta agus bhí páirt speisialta ag na daltaí Spáinneacha a d’fhoghlaim conas an fheadóg stáin a sheinnt! Tháinig rinceoirí gaelacha ón gcéad agus séú bliain amach ar an ardán agus rinne grúpa damhseoirí ón mbunscoil damhsa iontach. Le linn na himeachtaí léigh roinnt cailíní dánta ón gcúrsa ardteiste agus chan beirt ón séú bliain amhrán álainn. Gan dabht bhaineamar go léir an-taitneamh as seachtain na Gaeilge agus is fíor an seanfhocal’ scoil gan ghaeilge, scoil gan anam

Melanie McAleese and Lauren Hargaden

126 127 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Classics and Geography Trip Seachtain na Gaeilge

Page 3: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Central Criminal Court

Judges, juries, criminals, courtrooms, the general buzz of a courthouse. Our class stood awestruck watching the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the new Central Criminal Courts in Parkgate

Street, Dublin.

Our C.S.P.E class of 3R visited the Central Criminal Courts in January 2011. To prepare for this visit we formed different committees, each having their own task to carry out in preparation for the visit. These included theTransport Committee who were in charge of booking the school bus, the Re-search Committee had to find out what happens in the courts and inform the rest of the class who’s who in the courtroom.

A committee was also formed to track some current criminal cases in the lead up to the visit. The Question Committee prepared some relevant questions to ask our guide on the day and finally the thank you committee and publicity committee followed up with an e-mail of thanks and a written report and photos for the school website.

Previously in class we looked at law in Ireland and learned about the different courts and people in the courtroom. We also watched a mock trial and learned about the mock trial programme which is carried out in fourth year. Ms Swan encouraged us all to take part in it next year and I am really look-ing forward to it.

In the Courts we were met by a junior barrister. He gave us a brief introduction to lay out of the building and what takes place on each floor. He also showed us the uniform of the barristers. When we were brought up the glass lifts to a court room we were able to try on the wigs and cloaks.

We held a mock trial and we all took our positions in the court room. It was very exciting. We then went on to witness areal trial which involved assaults to Gardai during protests in the city last year.

Overall the trip was a very beneficial experience. We learned a lot first hand and very much look forward to taking part in the Mock Trials in Transition year.

Emilie Mc Keon and Alex Hussain

Mock Elections

The class of 2R carried out a mock Election in the concourse on Election day 2011. Candidates were chosen to run for election, manifestos were

written up and canvassing for those vital votes began in earnest in the weeks leading up to the big day. Representatives from all parties- Fianna Fáil, Fianna Gael, Labour, The Green Party, Sinn Féin and Independents spoke to the elec-torate (i.e. all of Second year) and presented their policies and promises. Every student was issued with a polling card in their class folder which they brought with them to the polling station (i.e the concourse).

When they were checked in on the Register of Electors they were then handed a blank ballot paper with pictures of the 16 candidates running for Election. They then numbered their choice of candidates in order and placed their vote in the secret ballot box behind the curtain.

There was great excitement in the concourse all morning as candidates waited nervously for the count. With the help of Ms Mc Mahon and Ms Swan the votes were counted. We then got to learn how proportional representation works. It was very exciting when candidates reached the quota and got through to the next stage of counting. A number of candidates were eliminated after the first count and on count 14 we had 6 clear winners: two Fianna Gael, two Labour, one Green and one Independent.

Spoiled votes amounted to 3: 2 for Jedward and 1 for Dustin the Turkey! Overall it was a very educational experience and it helped us understand the importance of exercising our right to vote in elections. Maybe the voting age should be lowered to 16 afterall, as we thoroughly enjoyed the election.

We also took a keen interest in the real Election and watched with more under-standing the count. We already look forward to this year’s Presidential Elections and all agree Mary McAleese will be a hard act to follow.

128 129 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

CSPE CSPE

Page 4: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

EYP Report

On Friday, February 25th, six Alex girls took part in the European Youth Parliament Leinster Con-

ference. Beth Milofsky in the Human Rights Commit-tee, Nanci O’Reilly in Employment and Social Affairs (EMPLI), Harriet Walsh also in EMPLI, Chloe Duggan in Development, Evie Clarke in Culture and Education, Molly O’Leary in Agriculture and Anna Nichols, the ambassador for Alex, in EMPLI 2.

None of us really knew what to expect of the weekend, or how to prepare for it. So after hastily researching our topics and preparing our formal outfits, we were very excited and a little nervous when we turned up on Friday afternoon. To start off, we played some ‘team building’ games, which were both hilarious and embar-rassing. Then, once we felt more relaxed around our team mates, we separated into our different commit-tees. After a short night’s sleep, the hard work really began on Saturday.

We spent the day discussing our topics, writing our resolutions and taking breaks to the bouncy castle. On Saturday night there was a Black and White themed disco for which we dressed up as mimes; other costumes included penguins, pandas and ‘The Black Swan’. The conference took place on Sunday, where we presented and discussed our resolutions. The issues raised were interesting and topical and we were all very involved in the debate (if not always on the same side!). All in all, a very enjoyable and rewarding weekend was had.

Four students were selected to represent Alex at the National Conference: Beth Millofsky, Molly O’Leary, Nanci O’Reilly and Anna Nichols. We were delighted to go to Lim-erick for another exciting weekend of team-work, discussion and friend-making. There were about 100 delegates from all over Ireland taking part in the conference.

We discussed current issues such as the uprisings in the Middle East and the Wikileaks phenomenon. We loved every second of the weekend, from staying in the Travel Lodge to singing on the bus ride home. Anna Nichols and Beth Milofsky were selected to represent Ireland at the European Youth Parliament International Conference. This is a terrific achievement and they are both really looking forward to participating in EYP again.

Molly O’Leary

The European Youth Parliament Leinster Regional Conference was held in St.Colmcille’s, Knocklyon from the 25th to the 27th of February. Seven Alex girls took part: Evie Clarke, Chloe Duggan, Beth Milofsky, Anna

Nichols, Molly O’Leary, Nanci O’Reilly and Harriet Walsh. There were many different committees, each with a different real-life issue to resolve by the end of the weekend.

The committees were extremely diverse, ranging from fisheries to employment and social affairs. For example, the human rights committee for example were responding to concerns over Russia’s mistreatment of human rights, while climate change were trying to tackle global warming. The first day of the conference began with team building games. We were all divided into our committees and spent the evening getting to know each other. Day two of the conference was when the real work began. It was time to brainstorm about our European issue. The entire day was spent examining the problem, determining the instigator and most importantly coming up with a resolution to solve the issue which was to be presented at General Assembly the next day.

However, EYP was not just all work and no play. That night we headed to a themed ‘Black and White’ disco which felt like a well deserved break from the hard work that had gone into the day. On the final day each resolution was then attacked or praised by other delegates. When both arguments had ceased a vote took place to determine whether or not the resolution passed or failed. Although a failed resolution was not considered a total failure but merely a steeping stone to later achieve perfection. The whole experience was thrilling and truly gave us an insight into the lives of MEPs.

Following the successful Regional Conference came the Nationals. Four girls were selected to attend: Beth Milofsky, Anna Nichols, Molly O’Leary and Nanci O’Reilly. The conference was held in Limerick City one month later. The running order of the weekend was the same as before except the location was slightly different! All of the delegates stayed in a hotel together nearby to the University of Limerick where the conference was held. The theme for this weekend was ‘New Frontiers’ which was more open to interpretation.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip and I think EYP has made a lasting impression on all the girls that took part. Anna Nichols was selected as a sub for the International Session and was therefore part of the International Youth Forum where she will travel to a conference in Istanbul this May. I have been selected to represent Ireland as an International Delegate at either an International Autumn Session in Croatia or a Spring session in Istanbul next year.

All of the girls would like to give a huge thank you to Ms.McCarthy, Mr.Madden and Ms.McShane who helped us in preparing for the weekend!

Beth Milofsky

130 131 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

European Youth Parliament European Youth Parliament

Mr. Finbarr Madden, Georgia Murphy, Nanci O Reilly, Beth Milofsky, Chloe Duggan, Yvonne Clarke, Molly O Leary, Harriet Walsh and Ms. Niamh McShane

Page 5: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Kolkata 2011

Some of the most life-changing and eye-opening experiences of our lives so far took place during the eight days we spent in Calcutta last March. From the moment the fundraising began, we were swept up in something bigger and more worthwhile than any project we had ever taken part in before. Despite the ups and downs that the whole journey had, we are so happy to

have taken part and been lucky enough to go on this amazing trip.

We left Ireland in the early hours of the morning to travel to a city the same size as Dublin, but with a population of 17 million - for every one Dubliner, there are 12 people living on the crowded streets of Kolkata.

The atmosphere is a world away from that of Dublin. There is litter everywhere, street people cook their meals on the pavement as you walk by the elaborately rich hotels hidden away behind run-down walls and the strong smells of a city populated by 17m people invades your senses. Nothing could prepare us for the sights we were exposed to. One harrowing sight that remained with us was that of an old man lying, presumed sleeping, on a footpath near our hotel. The next day, he was still lying in that same position on the footpath, and we wondered whether he was actually sleeping at all.

But our trip was not a story about tragedy and suffering, it was a story of hope. On our visit to the polio hospital (RCFC) we met a young girl who was only the same age as ourselves but already the mother of a crippled child. Each year the money raised by Alexandra College students funds the running and operative costs of RCFC. Thanks to our support and that of the Hope Foundation the child will have surgery to correct the malformed limb ensuring a better life for both mother and child.

Many of the children we met undergo a daily struggle to survive the harsh world of Kolkata. However, despite all of this, the children are possibly the happiest children you will ever meet. As each day passed, we began to realize just how remarkable these children are, and quickly fell in love with each and every one of them.

One third of the population is living in slums - that is more than the entire population of Ireland. These slums consist of street upon street of narrow alleys where millions of undocumented people live, if they are lucky, in little more than tin sheds. As we walked along, small children would take our hands and guide us through, pulling and smiling. Many would test our Bengali and jabber away at me though we didn’t understand a thing!

The schools in the slums are often supported by Hope and we visited many of these. The children are dressed in their little yellow uniforms, so polished and neat despite having come from a home where there is no water and a dirt floor. Children who are just beginning are not given a uniform as it must be seen that their parents are making the effort to send their child to school. In most cases, it is not the lack of space in schools that is the problem, but the parents who see it more worthwhile to have their child working than being educated. We brought copies, pencils and colours for the teachers who must run a large class everyday with very little resources. There were so many games that we played again and again – ‘ring-a-ring-a-rosie’, ‘hokey-cokey’ and so many more. Every time we visited a slum school and had such fun with the children, it was so difficult to leave.

However for the children who are not lucky enough to be given a chance to be educated, life is quite different. Children as young as three make their living “rag-picking” by climbing through sewage, rats, glass, needles and many other dangers to pick what scraps they can to sell on. These dumps are their homes and their livelihoods. They are born and many will die without ever having been registered. We met so many orphaned children living on the streets somehow managing to survive on their own - and doing it with smiles on their faces.

(...continued)

132 133 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Hope FoundationetCetera, Alexandra College Student Newspaper

Back Row: Harriet Walsh, Bebhinn Sheil, Katie Duggan, Grainne Mulkerrin, Niamh Doody, Zoe Cras, Mr Jim Redmond

Front Row: Megan Davy, Emily Thornton, Aveen Bradley, Katie Kennedy, Kirsten Levermore, Jenny Rowland, Beth Milofsky, Molly O’Leary

Model United NationsBack Row: Mr Finbarr Madden, Clara Despard, Georgia Murphy, Grainne Mulkerrin,

Rebecca Schwartz, Chloe Laird, Anna D’Alton, Ms Niamh McShaneFront Row: Catalina Parga, Holly McQuillan, Kirsten Levermore, Chloe Duggan,

Yvonne Clarke, Harriet Walsh, Molly O’Leary

Green School CommitteeBack Row: Ms Lucia Shelly, Rachel Gardiner, Nicole Kidney, Kellie Larkin, Niamh Doody,Stephanie Reynolds, Laura CoakleyFront Row: Beth Milofosky, Katie Kennedy, Jenny Rowland, Ali Donnellan, Victoria Price, Holly Mc Quillan, Kirsten Levermore

Page 6: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

(...continued)

One of the main areas that Hope work in is with children’s homes. The children and teenagers living here are those whose parents are unable to take care of them or who have been abused when living on the streets or in the slums. We had never encountered such happy and enthusiastic children in our lives! In the young girls’ and young boys’ homes alike, we were treated to a dance and a karate display among many other things. The little girls also presented us with a beautiful handmade card.

We visited two homes for older girls, one for girls in ‘coaching’ or life skills training, and another for the daughters of women of the red light district. All the girls we met were such talented dancers that our little rendition of ‘Molly Malone’ or ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ seemed rather feeble! We also got a little insight into the drugs rehabilitation system that Hope is running. A drop-in centre has been established near the train station at Howrah, the notorious living place of drug-addicted street children. In this small house, boys as young as 9, high on solvents, come to escape from the dangers of the busy train station. From here, they can volunteer to end their drug use and stay at a rehabilitation centre. We also visited the final step of the journey - a home where teenage boys, clean from drugs, can study and learn life skills. One boy was particularly keen to continue his education through to college as he dreamed of becoming an engineer.

Something that stuck out for all of us was our visit to The HOPE Hospital, which we quickly noticed was cleaner than any hospital here in Dublin. Welcomed by the smiling staff, we were shown to the girls’ ward. In Dublin, hospitals contain many wards to separate patients such as maternity, pediatrics and psychiatric wards.

In Calcutta, the girl’s ward in The HOPE Hospital contained a mother and her pre-mature baby lying in the same room as a psychiatric patient whose bed lay next to a woman with a broken femur. Despite how sick they were, all of the patients sat up in bed, enjoying our company and never letting a smile leave their faces.

While visiting The HOPE Hospital last year, the current sixth years met a tiny baby, just 20 days old, named Papiya, who was fighting for her life with a heart problem. Thanks to all of the money raised for Hope last year, the Alex girls were able to pay for a life-saving operation for Papiya. On our visit we were fortunate enough to get to visit the young girl. After having been shown pictures of Papiya from when she was just 20 days old, we were shocked to see the transformation the little girl had made in just one year. Papiya was soon sitting up in her cot, smiling and laughing, no longer severely underweight. The young girl is now a healthy, chubby baby, in the process of being adopted. For us, this was a real eye-opener, showing just how far our money goes and what good it does. Papiya would not be alive if it weren’t for the money raised by all the girls of last year and the great work of the people in The HOPE Hospital.The majority of our fundraising from Alexandra College each year goes to RCFC, a Polio hospital for children supported by Hope. Our visit here was so uplifting as we could really see what the money we had raised was going into. A special needs centre we went to was also very moving.

There were so many lovely children like Dipen who had Down’s Syndrome and Sharda who was autistic. Their healthiness and happiness really showed what a difference we make.The group of people who travelled with us to Calcutta really made such a difference. We all shared an unforgettable experience and understand each other’s changed views on life after the trip. There was something special that we felt about our team because we all looked out for each other - there was never an issue with who sat or worked together - we all co-operated and became such close friends. The selection process was the most difficult thing for our team and we really hope that in the future, all of us who worked for Hope can travel to Calcutta to continue working there and make a bigger difference than ever before.

This wouldn’t have been at all possible if it wasn’t for the generosity of everyone who helped us fundraise, of course. To you all, we owe a gigantic thank you because even though times are hard we still managed to raise what we needed to keep the polio hospital running! We will always remember your kindness, as will the children of Calcutta.

134 135 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

Hope Foundation Hope Foundation

Back Row: Lucy Watters, Mrs. Sheila McEntee, Jenny Mulvin, Rachel Healy, Anna O’Carroll, Kelly Larkin, Jenny Drea, Mr. Malachi Friel, Ms. Jacqui McCoy

Front Row: Nanci O’Reillly, Niamh Doody, Fiona O’Meara, Emily Thornton, Kate Lenehan, Adrienne Smyth, Audrey Sheil, Stephanie Reynolds

Page 7: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011136 137 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

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Page 8: Alexandra College Yearbook: Section 4 - The College and the World

THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011138 139 THE ALEXANDRAN 2010-2011

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