Appreciation for all those involved in raising funds for Zikomo July 2011.
Claregalway Castle lay as a neglected ruin for many years. Eamonn Donohue a man with generosity and vision has restored it and buildings in the grounds with care and on the last open day wanted a Community Based Organization in the heart of Africa to benefit . That organization is Zikomo , since 2002 this community based organization has been fostering several villages towards self sufficiency. The team in Ireland are entirely voluntary and administration and travel are covered by the team members . As a result of the generous support of those who have donated unwanted gifts and of those of spending and supporting the raffle at the Claregalway Garden Festival , €4931 has been raised. This will go towards rainwater harvesting , solar panels , vocational education in carpentry and sewing , beekeeping , goats and running of a preschool. Thanks also to Aer Aran, Texoil , Halfords, Occitane en Provence and Smyths Toy shop for the raffle prizes and shops that contributed to our stall Judy Greene, Fallers, Kaliedescope, Wooden Heats, Woodies,Galway Bead Shop, It's Magic, Treasure Chest and many friends who also supported .
This sum signifies half the annual project expenditure , so we are happy to research the new projects for this quarter . When we work with people in Malawi we have a professional voluntary support team and one paid Project Manager . At the moment Clodagh Fahy from Athenry is in Zomba and has volunteered support by visiting one of the Community Centres where she saw the youth group of the village perform the drama that gives a strong message about AID's awareness and prevention. One of the most successful projects is the microfinance , 15 people were given loans of approx €50 and one lady Judith Thunga started a small shop and though this has managed the fees to send her children to secondary school.
