Project Romania 2011
The 2011 Project Romania group
St Paul’s International Project to Romania is currently underway and a group of students and staff from the school are visiting schools, hospitals and orphanages in the country.
The students, who are accompanied by Mr Emmet McCaffrey and Miss Ciara McCoy, are live blogging their visit to Romania, and you can read about their adventures and see photos from their visit by scrolling through this page. We hope to update the page, at least once every day.
Sunday 13th February, 4.30 p.m. (GMT): Home
We are all home safe in beautiful Ireland now. We had a long final day. We got group photographs taken above Brasov and then travelled for 4 hours into Bucharest. It was snowing as we left the hotel.
In Bucharest, we visited the People’s Palace. Our students were disgusted at the wealth in this place compared to everything we had seen all week. They enjoyed the tour but it definitely gave them food for thought.
We headed then to do a bit of shopping in the city centre before heading to the airport. The group of students that travelled to Romania this year were fantastic. They got involved from the start and mixed really well with each other. They were very thoughtful and presented the 4 teachers with a gift in Bucharest. The gifts were lovely and also funny as they managed to get ‘Armagh’ printed on an orange t-shirt for the Tyrone leader, not an easy task in the middle of Romania.
Our week wasn’t complete without one more ‘cha cha slide’, so with the help of an ipod and speakers, we danced our signature dance once more in the airport, much to the delight of the other travellers in Bucharest Airport.
I would like to finish by thanking sincerely everyone who has supported us in anyway to have the experience we have had this week. To my fellow leaders, Karla, Cathy and Emmett, to all the amazing students, to everyone who posted to our blog and to the people who supported the students through their fundraising activities. Go raibh míle míle maith agaibh.
Romania 2011 has been a life-changing experience for everyone and it has had an impact on us all. A truly unforgettable week.
Slán agus beannacht
Friday 11th February, 6.30 p.m. (EET): Day 7
We set off early this morning for our last day of visiting. We wnte to the TB clinic which is quite near the hotel. This is a regular stop for the Romanian group and the numbers here vary from year to year. Last year there were only 3 children here, this year there is at least 20. The place is clean and there is plenty of room for the children. The principal of the clinic told us a particulalry sad story and 6 brothers that are in the clinic at the moment. The had been treated here before but had finished their treatment and went home. Their mother was collecting their perscriptions for TB from the pharmacy but was not administering the medication. As a result, their conditions deteriorated so much that they had to be placed back in the clinic.
We bought slippers, pyjamas, toilet rolls, soaps, toothpastes, stationery and toys for the clinic. We spent about an hour here with the children.
After that we went to Christiana Old People’s home. This is a nice home with 46 elderly people, 10 of these are paid by the state to be there, while the other 36 pay 300 euro a month to stay here. We sang for them and they sang for us. This home requested painting materials to redecorate and we bought these.
After that, we headed to Bran Castle, Dracula’s home. The castle was lovely and the stalls gave us an opportunity to do a bit of shopping. Some students visited a haunted house and we went to a short horror film in 5d. Mr McCaffery got a little frightened and had to leave half way through.
It is hard to believe we are heading home tomorrow. We have some funds left and we are able to provide more support to some of the poorer places we visited this week. We found out that the old women in St. Treime church were 2 months behind on their gas and electricity bill so we have cleared that debt and paid for another month’s supply. We are meeting tonight to decide how to spend the rest of the funds. We know that there is a great need in Vulcan for basic supplies and in the TB clinic. We should be able to support these places with more supplies than we had originally thought.
We are having a final party tonight and we will be departing from the hotel in the morning. We will spend some time in Bucharest and visit the People’s Palace.
I will blog again in the airport tomorrow for the last time. We have had an amazing experience but I know we will be glad to be heading home to our beautiful surroundings. In the back of our minds, we know the hardship we are leaving behind and I have no doubt that every one of us have changed for the better during our time here.
Thursday 10th February, 5.30 p.m. (EET): Day 6
We had intended to leave at 9 am this morning but Ronan McDonnell and Conor McLellan had other plans. They were eventually dragged from their beds and the bus took off at 9.30 am. It is a two hour journey out to these orphanages so everyone took their pillows out to the bus and got some much needed sleep on the way.
Our first stop was Dacia orphanage for boys. There are 36 boys in this orphanage and I am delighted to report that conditions are good here. There are plenty of toys available for the boys and they seem to be well looked after. We bought them slippers, socks and sleighs. It is -3 today so the boys had great fun on the ice in the sleighs.
As everyone was sick of McDonald’s, we opted for a packed lunch today and we all ate together on the bus.
Rupea Orphange for girls was next on the list. Our students all went inside and Mr McCaffery and I decided to sit outside the orphanage as it was quite sunny despite the cold weather. This was very enjoyable until a man came along, thought we were beggers and offered us 1 lei (approximately 20p). We decided to go inside after that and we will probably dress a little better tomorrow.
The girls in Rupea orphanage were a big hit with our students. We brought them a suitcase full of hairclips, dvds, nail polish, hairbands etc. and we also bought them tracksuits, slippers, socks and deodorants. As is tradition now for the Romania 2011 crew, they danced the cha cha slide. It was difficult to leave this orphanage as our students had spent over an hour getting to know the girls. As we departed, there was hardly a dry eye on the bus.
We are back in the hotel now and we are heading to a pizza place together for a meal. It is hard to believe our week is nearly over. Thanks again for all the comments.
Slán go fóill
Wednesday 9th February, 9.00 p.m. (EET): Day 5
We had a long but lovely day today. We started at 9am this morning and it was -2 degrees, apparently it will be very cold tomorrow.
We began the day by heading to Lunca Calnicului School. This was great fun. The young children sang ‘If you are happy and you know it’ to us in Romanian and we sang it back in English. They were very cute and their uniforms are lovely. The girls wear checked dresses and the boys wear blazers and ties. The school is very different to St. Paul’s. The classrooms contain a mixture of blackboards and whiteboards and old fashioned desks. We then visited some of the older students who had a concert ready for us, one of the girls has released a record and took part in an X Factor type competition. They all have beautiful voices. The pressure was on St. Paul’s and St. Patricks’s to return the gesture. One of the girls from Lisburn sang a beautiful song, we all sang amhrán na bhFiann (the only song we knew in Irish) and then we finished with a dance, not a nice traditional dance like The High Cauled Cap or the Waves of Tory, no the Romania 2011 crew decided that it would be best if they pushed the tables back and all 31 of them performed the Cha Cha slide!. Thankfully the students enjoyed it. The children in the school then went around with books and pieces of paper for everyone to sign. I signed that many autographs today that I now feel like Cheryl Cole.
We had a chance then to visit a Fort and church in the area. The church was surrounded by rooms were families stayed in whenever there was fighting in the area. Mr McCaffery explained the history behind it and surprisingly most of our students were still awake by the time he finished!
Once we had eaten in McDonald’s (again), we went to the Peter Pan Orphanage. This is an orphanage for 12 boys and it is bright and comfortable. We bought them tracksuits, towels, socks and other clothing.
Our final visit was to Bradet Orphange. This is my favourite place of the whole trip so far. It is an orphanage for children with behavioural difficulties and mild to severe mental disabilities. It is set away from the town and there is plenty of space surrounding the three buildings. The minute you walk in to this place, you can sense the atmosphere and you know that it is a good place.
When we arrived, we were given donuts and coffee. We bought 2 sinks and lots of clothes for this orphanage. The principal called us all together and thanked us for our generosity. She said that she knew that it wasn’t just us but our families and friends that had helped us to give these gifts to the orphanage.
We were then taken up to a room to see all the amazing crafts that the students of the school had made. We were allowed to take them and leave a donation so that they could buy more wood for the students to work with in their craft classes. These crafts are like works of art because of the amount of time put into making them, I won’t go in to too much detail here because I think most of the presents were ‘bought’ here today.
We then had a chance to go around the classes and play with the students of Bradet. We spent over an hour here and I don’t believe that anyone wanted to leave. It was a lovely experience.
Today has been a great day and it was needed after the heavy and quite sad day we had yesterday. Spirits are high in the hotel tonight. The talent show went really well last night, despite the fact that most of the boys used it as an opportunity to dress up as girls. We went with the safer option tonight of a quiz and everyone seems to be dressed appropriately.
I can’t express how fantastic and comforting it is to hear from all the parents, friends and staff of St. Paul’s through the comments. Thank you.
Go raibh maith agaibh.
Tuesday 8th February, 7.00 p.m. (EET): Day 4
We had a great night’s craic in the hotel last night. We started the evening by collecting together all the clothes and accessories that the students had brought with them. We sorted through this stuff and split them between the orphanages. The amount of stuff that was bought and donated was quite overwhelming and because we don’t have to buy this stuff over here, we can use the money raised to help other places.
We then put on some music and danced the Waves of Tory, the Walls of Limerick and the cha cha slide! Cathal Fearon admitted that Irish dancing was more physically demanding than football. Mr McCaffery led the sing song and we finished the night with Amhrán na bhFiann around 12pm.
We left the hotel at 9am this morning and it was a colder day. We headed to Timis. Timis has a home and an elderly shelter for young people and adults with mild and severe mental problems. Half the group went up to the orphanage to collect some of the more mobile patients and brought them to McDonald’s.
Conditions were rough in Timis. The elderly shelter was a slight improvement on the main building but not great. There were about 10 teenage boys in a room with two beds, just rocking back and forward with very little stimulation. The smell in the place is not nice. These places know we are coming to visit and if this is it on a good day, I wouldn’t like to experience a bad day. The elderly shelter was better but there were still straps on one of the beds and one man had his jumper tied at the arms, perhaps this was to stop him hurting himself but I am not convinced. We aren’t allowed to take pictures in some places, but some of the students used their spy skills to get a few snaps.
The students have been fantastic and happily sang with the adults we took out from Timis on the bus. There was a slight disagreement between Connor Murphy and I over the words of twinkle twinkle little star, but the Timis people happily sang along in Romanian despite this.
In the afternoon, we went to Albina and Magura Orphanage in Codlea. This is a dual orphanage with teenage girls on the top floor and young children with mental and physical disabilities on the bottom floor. The students were heartbroken here. Some have still got tears in their eyes. We went to the top floor first were we distributed books, pens, tooth brushes, toothpaste, hats and hair accessories to the teenage girls. We considered donating Anthony ‘Romeo’ Feehan as well as he was very popular with the girls in the orphanage.
The babies and young children were downstairs. They were beautiful and the students spent over an hour nursing them and playing with them. We had enough money from the fundraising to buy a washing machine for the orphanage and a good supply of washing powder.
We read the comments at the bottom of this page every night and it brings everyone together. It has been a tough day today but a great experience. It is hard to believe we are at the half way point now.
We have a talent show planned for tonight, I use the term ‘talent’ loosely as I witnessed the dancing and singing last night. We are hoping that Anne-Marie Mallon will try being quiet for more than 5 minutes as her talent, now that would be an achievement!
Oíche mhaith
Monday 7th February, 6.00 p.m. (EET): Day 3
Another reasonable day weather wise today, it was 2 degrees when the bus departed from the hotel at 9.30am. All the students were at the bus on time and both sets of pupils have mixed very well.
Our first stop was Vulcan Psychiatric Hospital. This has been a regular stop for the trip and money raised for Romania Project has bought mattresses for the residents in previous years. Everyone was a bit anxious before entering the hospital as we knew that there would be some interesting sights. There are 150 residents in Vulcan so we bought enough oranges, bananas and biscuits to make a pack for each peron. The hospital also requested cleaning products and we were able to supply these.
The residents in Vulcan were lovely and were very generous with their hugs and kisses. The conditions are poor but the high spirits of some of the residents kept us in good form. We met all sorts of people in Vulcan, very quiet men and women who didn’t like to leave their beds and then other adults who were happy to sing to us, dance with us and kiss us. Some of the residents seem quite religious and one women spent most of the time on her knees praying. Connor McLelland was the star of the show, one woman took such a shine to him. She spent the whole time hugging him and dancing with him. The 40 year age gap didn’t bother her at all and Connor is happy that he has got a date for the formal next year.
Two of the residents asked us to go around the side of the hospital with them. We were delighted to see a new building with two rooms and a decked area. The residents come here to sew, draw and knit. Some of the work was amazing. It is brilliant that they have this facility now. One of the residents was shovelling snow outside so the students grabbed a shovel and helped clear the decked area. We then got ready to leave but we were delayed as one of the residents got on the bus with us. We bribed him off with a cigarette and continued on our journey.
After lunch we visited a number of orphanges. These are all run by the same ‘Principal’ and she is very good. She asked us to buy a chainsaw, a strange request but we soon found out why. The Government has changed the heating system in the orphanages from gas to a wood burning system, and although they had pleanty of wood, it was proving very difficult to cut the wood especially in the bad weather. She was delighted with the gift. The children in these orphanages were lovely and our students found it difficult to leave them, particularly Sarah who found a best friend for life. We then visited a homeless shelter and brought them food as well. The conditions have been relatively good in the places we have visited so far and it is good to see that things are improving.
The students returned to the hotel and Miss Nugent (St. Patrick’s, Lisburn) and I travelled out with food to one of the poor families. This family live in horrendous conditions. Two families live in one house and you will see from the photographs below how bad things are. Danny visits them often with food and clothes but it is a very sad sight.
We are heading for dinner shortly and then all the students are going to bring down the clothes donations etc that they have with them to sort out for tomorrow. We may have a sing-song and a céilí in the hotel tonight and we are going to read through all the comments below. Thank you for staying in touch through the comments, they are very much appreciated.
Sunday6th February, 9.00 p.m. (EET): Day 2
We are back from our first day of visiting and it has been an interesting start. We have been quite lucky with the weather as it was +8 today ( last week it was -12 at its warmest) but it started to snow as we were returning to the hotel.
We started today by meeting Danny (our “tour guide”) and his daughters at Metro, the Romanina version of Lidl. He informed us that the orphanage needed a hoover so we went in to buy the hoover and supplies for the Old People’s shelter. Trying to buy hoover bags to match a hoover in a different language is not an easy task. We then got the bus to Ghimbav Orphange. This is a nice orphanage and the children only stay here for a short period of time. We met the children and took them out to McDonald’s which they all enjoyed.
After this, we went to visit the elderly shelter at St. Treime Church. We had bought a variety of supplies in Metro earlier and made up bags for the ten ladies who live in this shelter. The bags included toilet rolls, toothpaste, fruit, rice, biscuits and many more basic supplies. When we got to the shelter, we were met with the sad news that 2 of the elderly ladies in the shelter had died earlier in the week. St. Paul’s had paid for one of these ladies to get her cataracts operated on a number of years ago and as a result, she had partial sight last year.
The rooms where the ladies live are about half the size of our classroom. I met a lady on the top floor who had heat and electic. We gave her a miraculous medal which she immediately attached to her rosary beads and was very proud of it. The bottom floor was less comfortable. We met a lady called Demitrea. She is 86 years old and moved into the shelter 3 months ago. She told us she had sons but it is hard to understand how anyone could let their mother live in such conditions, especially at her time of life. The walls had no paint or pictures, there was no electricity and no heat. There was fruit rotting in bowls and her bin was overflowing with rubbish. She was delighted to see us and the students were a bit emotional after meeting her. She asked us to send her the photographs we took and hopefully these will brighten her walls a bit.
We finished early enough today and the students had the chance to take to the slopes. Everyone has finished dinner now and are relaxing in the hotel. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow so it will be early to bed tonight. Keep sending comments as it keeps us in touch with the real world.
Oíche mhaith
Sunday 6th February, 9.00 a.m. (EET): Day 2
Good morning Ireland. We arrived at Poina Hotel, Brasov quite late last night, 12.30 am EET. The roads are quite clear but everywhere else is covered in snow. It is a steep drive up to the hotel and we passed through some villages which still seem to have their Christmas decorations up. Fluorescent lights around houses are very popular over here. On arrival, we sorted out rooms and the hotel provided sandwiches and fruit for us. The hotel is lovely and there is a great reception area for everyone to meet in. We had the luxury of a lie-in this morning, the bus doesn’t leave until ten, I believe this will be the one and only morning where we don’t have to be away by 9.
We are all looking forward to visiting different places today and starting to meet people and we will post to our blog later tonight after our first day out. However, it is breakfast time now and I am hoping they have tetley tea. Check back later for more news.
Saturday 5th February, 2.00 p.m. (GMT): Day 1
This is our first proper post. We have all arrived at Dublin airport and checked in successfully. Despite initial worries about weight limits, all luggage was accepted on board. Our flight leaves in an hour so we are using this time to have a nice meal (burgerking!) as we won’t arrive in our hotel until midnight EET. The flight will take 4 hours and then the bus journey to the hotel will be 3 hours after that. The students are both nervous and excited as they don’t know what lies ahead of them. We will be glad to reach our hotel and get settled in for the night.
Keep in touch by commenting below and check back to our blog frequently to keep up with the news.
Slán go fóill
Friday 4th February, 3.30 p.m. (GMT)
This is our first blog post – and it’s not really a blog post, but more of a test one, to alert you that we’ll be keeping you posted with all the news from our visit to Romania. Check back daily for updates and information. We’d also love to hear back from you, so please scroll down to the bottom of the page if you’d like to leave us a comment or send us a message. More news when we arrive in Romania.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS WHO ARE VISITING ROMANIA.
Aimee Garvey – 13/75
I am traveling to Romania with St Paul’s on 5th February. I am looking forward to having the opportunity of a life changing experience and having some craic with my friends. For our fundraising activity we organised a Wild West night in Dan’s Bar in December. This night was a great success and raised a lot of money for myself, Ryan and Niamh during this we enjoyed our night and it was all for a good cause. In Romania I believe I will be faced with tough situations and shocking sites that will definitely shock me, however I aim to overcome these and give the best help and support to both the people I meet and the team I travel with. I am so happy to have been provided with this opportunity and I thank St Paul’s and especially Mr Mc McCaffery for organising this trip for our year 13 group.
Sarah McEvoy – 13/08
Fundraising- For my fundraiser I organised a night in Dromintee football club with two of my other friends who are also going to Romania on the 4th of December. The night consists of different activities including preformed acts and an auction. From this fundraiser night we raised £618.
Going to Romania I will experience different things; I will be able to see how people in different parts of the world live their life and how money can make a big difference in a persons life.
I will be visiting many different places in Romania including Orphanages and Hospitals where I will be helping out with all the children and adults less fortunate than me.
From this trip I hope it will change my way of seeing life as I would have experience how people in the developing countries live and will be able to recognise the things in live you really need and things you just want for no particular reason.
Claire McCone – 13/75
For fundraising for Romania I did a “Guess How Many Sweets” in the jar it was £1 per guess. I raised around £150 from doing this and people still want to guess. I am doing a fundraising night on Saturday the 29th of January and hope to raise more from this. My mum, friend and I organised it. I am also selling raffle tickets this weekend and announcing the winner at my fundraising night, I have a wide range of prizes. It is also a waxing night.
I feel that this will be an experience of a life time. I think that it may be hard to see people who are less fortunate than us, but it will make me a stronger person and have valuable skills such as teamwork, leadership, more determined, mature and sensitive. I hope to learn more about a different culture and get to experience it. I also hope that visiting the orphanages will make me help more and realise that there are people less fortunate. I believe it will also make me not take my parents, education and nice things I have for granted. I am also looking forward to getting to know people from other schools and the children we visit. Furthermore I hope that the money we raise will help the people we give it to and to hopefully make their lives better.
Lindsay Quinn – 13/32
The reason I am looking forward to Romania is because It would be a great experience to see and learn their culture and to see the conditions they are living in, but still to know that we helped them by the money we have raised through our fundraising. This project will show not only me but the group, that we really do take our lives for granted and we should appreciate everything we have got in our own lives. The little things to us are the big things for them.
At the moment I have made over £400 from having two pub Quiz’s in Murphy’s Bar Meigh and from selling ‘St Paul’s Romania Project 2011’ rist bands. I also had a night in Killeavy with Cathal Fearon, were we made £794.96.
Sinead Dowdall – 13/08
I couldn’t believe it when I got an interview out of all the people who had applied to go on the Romania trip, and with all the excitement I prepared myself well for all types of different questions I thought that I could be asked.
After I had been selected to travel to Romania, I started preparing for my fundraiser and made a call to the Golf club which allowed me to do a quiz night there, gradually me and Conor who also was selected started gathering stuff for the raffle the next thing we know we had over five hundred pound in vouchers and prizes. On the 6th of January we got ready and took all the stuff up to the Golf club hoping that it would turn out well and people would actually come. The quiz started and was a bit had to hear with the laughter but a get night crack, the raffle went great and I think nearly someone form every table got something there was that much. And the end of it all it was a successful night raising nearly 8 hundred pounds.
I can’t wait to get away and see a different way of living. I hope that I get as much out of this trip as I can and hope to come back a different person, I hope that it is going to be a good as I am hoping and that I can communicate with the people as much a possible. I can admit am a bit anxious about the experiences I will have and about crying to much which I properly will end up doing over wanting to take some of the people home with us. I expect to get out of this what I put in which so far has been a bit of hard work, I know before I go I will come home with a empty suitcase cause I will end up giving all my stuff away, but not to worry there is always my mum to get me a new wardrobe.
Cathal Fearon – 13/90
To raise money for the Romanian project Lindsay Quinn and I joined up to have a fundraiser in Kileavy GAC social club. We had a very successful night with over 200 people attending, we had a table quiz, food, music and karaoke, and everybody who came seemed to have a good night. This event was £5 entrance and we had a raffle in which all the money raised went to the Romania Fund. Another part of the fundraising which I am still waiting on is getting help from my old primary school St Joseph’s Meigh who plan to raise money for me all in aid of the Romania Fund.
The reason I wanted to go to Romania is to bring me down to earth, because I have a privileged life and get most of the material items that I want which I am very thankful for, but I want to give back to the community and I think this could help me do so. I want to have the feeling that I made at least one child’s life better. Also I think it will be a great experience for me in life and will open a new way of thinking for the road ahead.
Shannon Mc Court – 13/01
For fundraising my primary school has donated me £100 after hearing about the Romanian project. My mum and I and our two friends got permission to fundraise in Belinis and The Bank. We decided to do fancy dress and went around with buckets to collect money, overall we raised £200. I also organised a bag pack with a group of friends in Dunnes Stores in Hill Street and raised £150. In total I have raised £450. I enjoyed fundraising and am pleased with the amount I have raised. I am very appreciative of the help I have got from my friends, my mother and most of all the businesses that contributed to the funds.
I am excited about going to Romania. I am looking forward to experiencing a new culture and seeing hardships through which people live as this will change my prospective of life in general. I hope the essentials we are bringing can benefit them and improve their daily lives. I am delighted to have received the opportunity to go and I intend to make the most of it.
Ronan McDonnell – 13/75
I am very anxious and excited to get out to Romania. I know from other pupils who went that it is an unforgettable experience. Also that it will make you see things differently. When we get to Romania, we will be doing a lot of visiting to orphanages, hospitals and senior homes. When visiting these I think we will be bringing simple stuff like food, clothes and also company. Most of these people in orphanages and senior homes hardly get any visitors, so hopefully we will get to put a smile on their faces from just talking to them, listening to them or even just giving them a hug.
Ryan McCabe – 13/08
When fundraising I arranged a country and western party in Dan’s with two of my fellow peers who are also going on the trip, Aimee Garvey and Niamh NíChellaigh. In total we raised £700. The night we organised turned out to be successful and much needed funds were collected in order to help those less fortunate in Romania.
Being chosen for Romania was an honour. It felt a great achievement to be selected to represent St Paul’s in another International project abroad. In the summer of 2010, I went to Lourdes with the annual St Paul’s Pilgrimage group. It was a great experience whereby I acted as a volunteer to help other pilgrims. It was good to mix with the elderly and to experience the atmosphere and sense of significance in Lourdes. By travelling to the shrine each day and helping those who are less able, I gained a great sense of warmth and happiness and it really did make me see things different for the better.
Now I get a second chance to act as an ambassador for St Paul’s and help those who are seen as less fortunate. I hope that I will receive the same feeling if not more significant after I go back from Lourdes. Getting to go abroad with my friends is one thing, but getting to offer my services in a country that is seen as a poverty-stricken is a pleasure. I hope to gain a sense of how lucky I am to have the life I do and I hope to put my life aside in the week I spend in Romania to help the needy in which we interact with.
Niamh Ní Cheallaigh – 13/08
A Country and western night, with raffle and DJ was organised by Myself, Aimee Garvey and Ryan McCabe that raised £720.
Mrs Hughes donated her time and efforts to bring her Newry Dance Company along with the school’s dance teams to the Quays to perform which enabled me to bring a collection bucket to the Quays.
Sixth and seventh year students have been exceptionally helpful with raising money and awareness for the trip. They’ve been particularly supportive with getting involved in organised fundraising activities.
I hope to learn more about the country, the culture, and the people of Romania. I can’t wait for the experience to begin and be able to visit the orphanages and homes to see how our money can help make a difference in the peoples lives. I really hope all the fundraised money will help to give the people in need a boost to a better life.
Ann-Marie Mallon – 13/01
Firstly I assisted in the production of a cakes sale in Lislea. I really enjoyed making the buns and selling them. I raised over £50.
I received a £10 donation from my neighbour.
Currently I am still raising money for a sports related day in Slieve Gullion, so far I have received £180 and am anticipating more money through sponsorships by friends. I will also be bag packing in Dunnes Stores.
By travelling to Romania I hope to experience a new culture and understand a new way of life. I hope it will develop my social skills and enable me to relate to other people. I hope I can develop a new perspective. I hope I can utilize all I have learned in Romania to enable me to inform other people of my experience and change the view of young people in my community.
95 comments
glad you all arrived safely, an exciting and emotional journey ahead for everyone. keep safe and i look foreward to the daily up dates, (mr mc caffery and miss mc coy dont forget to pay dr hayden deane a wee visit !)
by patricia feehan on 06/02/2011 at 2:43 pm #
We are Rachel Campbell’s aunt and uncle living in Belfast. Delighted you have arrived safely and look forward to reading all your news during your visit.
Love to Rachel from Gawain, Anna, Gareth, Lou and baby Rhys – and of course us two.
by Oonagh & Campbell Morrison on 06/02/2011 at 5:45 pm #
hi Rachel delighted to see your picture and to know you are all well.we will follow your trip each day all our love mum dad and Owen.Nanny Granda and Mo were here today missing you .Beth and June are on the phone each day for an up-date on your trip.see you soon and keep safe all.
by owen campbell on 06/02/2011 at 7:31 pm #
Glad to hear from you cathal. sounds like you had a great experience, you told me how you were shocked to see how the older people live. you loved the experience with the children. I look forward to hearing from you all each day. Be careful and have a great time.
lots of love mum dad and paraic
by florine fearon on 06/02/2011 at 11:16 pm #
Hey Guys, hope you are all havin an unreal time. Big hello to MO and Katie. Come back in one piece please. Love yassssss 🙂
by History Crew + Aimee on 07/02/2011 at 10:14 am #
Im a past pupil! I went to Romania last Year with the school – which I had soooo much fun!
Its great to see this group doing so well and having a great time…..Hope you all remembered to bring the tissues/handkerchiefs—— you’ll need them.
by Bernadette Byrne on 07/02/2011 at 10:53 am #
hello to our cousin Sarah and friends, hope you’re all having a great time.We are following your excursions and think you are all doing a great job out there. Mum said she knew that the orphanage would be the difficult one for you Sarah! We are looking forward to hearing all about it when you get home. Take care, safe travels and lots of hugs
by Ronan and Daniel Black on 07/02/2011 at 5:16 pm #
hello everyone . marc i seen you lifting the fruit ha .. looks like your having a good time .. see ya soon 🙂
by karyn feehan on 07/02/2011 at 5:42 pm #
Hi Ciara, Mr McCaffrey and the pupils of St.Pauls! Following your live blog every day and as it is so informative we feel that we are there with you! God Bless you all for making some difference to the lives of those who are less fortunate than yourselves. Enjoy the rest of your trip and come back safely! Desy,Annette,Declan,Gareth and Niall McCoy x
by Annette Murphy-McCoy on 07/02/2011 at 6:13 pm #
sounds like you had a very interesting day, the report brought tears to my eyes, we are very lucky people. lookin’ good with the old shovel ryan, was that a pose for the camera or were you really working. hope the ceili goes well and you all have a great nights crack. so so proud of all of you x
by patricia feehan on 07/02/2011 at 6:16 pm #
Hello to Rachel great to see your photo on the web site, you will bring sunshine to Romania Love Teresa and Conn
by Teresa O'Hare on 07/02/2011 at 6:27 pm #
omg am so rippen i never got to go on this trip last year , yous look lovely , but cant wait to see all the pictures monday when yous come back 😀
by Aidan rooney on 07/02/2011 at 6:40 pm #
Hi Emmett, Ciara, Cathy (of course) & students of St Paul’s & St Pat’s! It is great to follow your movements via the blog – hard to believe a year has passed since I was doing it! Really glad to hear Vulcan is making gradual improvements & that our students are getting so involved. Tomorrow is a big day with Timis & Albina Codlea, but a very worthwhile one. I will genuinely be thinking of all those sick & abandoned kids you will see tomorrow afternoon. No doubt there are some who have passed away since we were holding their hands last year. Keep up the good work!
by Christine Fearon on 07/02/2011 at 7:42 pm #
Hi everyone. Really enjoyed the latest blog. sounds like you r having an amazing time. It makes u realise how lucky we r even in this recession. Glad you enjoyed the orphanage cathal, even though it was hard for u. Take care everyone, and please be careful cathal on the ski slopes, we dont want any more broken bones. love mum
by florine fearon on 07/02/2011 at 9:21 pm #
Hi Rachel,All the folks at my work were following the Blog today.It is wonderful to be able to see were you all are and what you are doing.To day seems to have been pretty tough and it just shows us how much we take for granted I am very proud of you all and think this is a wonderful opportunity for you to make friends for life.Hear from you soon Mum Dad and Owen and all the gang
by pauline campbell on 07/02/2011 at 10:49 pm #
HI SINEAD ,CONOR AND ALL THE GANG . KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK , WHAT AN EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOATER YOU ARE ON. IT SEEMS TO BE TOUGH GOING OUT THERE . REMEMBER ALL OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYER ARE WITH YOU . WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU ALL . LOVE MAMMY TOM AND FAMILY XXXX
by MARTINA MOLLINS on 07/02/2011 at 11:18 pm #
Hi Rachel,
It sounds as though this has been a difficult day for you all, but we are so proud of you and all your friends for the love and joy you are bringing to the children and adults you are meeting. Big hugs and much love to you from Oonagh, Campbell and all the family.
by Oonagh & Campbell Morrison on 08/02/2011 at 12:17 am #
What a wonderful and enriching life experience you are all having! The importance of the warmth of a smile now realised in the work you are doing. I’m very sure your visit is uplifting and heartening to those you meet there.
by G.McMahon on 08/02/2011 at 12:18 pm #
Hello Sarah,
Daddy and auntie Deirdre here in work and just found your blog. Great to be able to see what you are up to and how well you’re getting on. Great to see you are coping well with all you’re experiencing and that you’re still smiling even though some of the conditions look pretty tough! I see you’ve got a “new friend for life” she looks lovely. I’ll let all at home see the blog tonight. Take care and keep smiling. Daddy, Mammy,Karl,Hannah and auntie Deirdre.
by hugh mcevoy on 08/02/2011 at 3:54 pm #
Hey all – awh use look to be having a really gud time, wish i had applied 4 this when I had the chance. Cathal gimme a wee ring nd let me knw how ur gettin on over ther – i’ll pick u up on saturday xxx
by Roisin Fearon on 08/02/2011 at 5:18 pm #
hello all- glad use got there safely – wish i had applied 4 this wen i had the chance. enjoy it while use are there, cant wait 2 hear all the gossip from our cathal wen hes back – hopefully he will ring me b4 then tho 2 tell me the craic
by Roisin Fearon on 08/02/2011 at 5:20 pm #
Hi Rachel Gd Nanny Mo and Kay came up to see the blog they are here now and are missing you and really proud of you all.Honey is in foal so you will be a mummy soon about 6 weeks.Beth and June were up and phone each night to see how you are doing.
Txt to night love all the gang
by pauline campbell on 08/02/2011 at 5:45 pm #
Dia Duit Miss Mc Coy, Mr Mc Caffery, and all the good boys and girls. Glad to see all the happy faces in the photos.Looks cold, but keep busy and keep smiling.We are all very proud of you back here at school.If at times you find it difficult, just remember you will be coming home and the people you are leaving will not. Thank God tonight and everynight for all the things we take for granted. Rachel Campbell, keep warm! Sinead Dowdall,keep your tissues on standby at all times.Anne Marie Mallon, make sure they don’t elect you to do all the diary keeping! Ryan Mc Cabe, keep thinking about the art research.Niamh Ni, continue to engage Sir in current affair debate, he needs challenging. Conor Mc Lellan, be yourself and share your gentleness. Lindsey,give plenty of hugs. Will keep tuned in to your escapades!
by Siobhan O' Hare on 08/02/2011 at 6:32 pm #
Beannachtaí daoibh uilig sa Rómáin. Hello to you all in Romania. I am so impressed by the news from your blog, and so proud of how you are continuing the spirit of St Paul’s International Projects. Keep up the great work, and keep sending us news and photographs.
Ádh mór oraibh go léir.
by Dáithí Murray on 08/02/2011 at 6:32 pm #
Hello Emmett, Ciara and all the pupils from St Paul’s.
It is brilliant to see that you are all really enjoying yourselves and fantastic that we all can read your blog every day. Emmett you look dangerous with that chainsaw!!!.
You are all bringing so much joy and happiness into the lives of all that you are meeting and are great ambassadors for St Paul’s. Enjoy your ‘talent show’ and keep writing your blog.
A special hello to all my Religion students
Take care and God bless
Maria Wilson
by Maria Wilson on 08/02/2011 at 7:20 pm #
Hi Claire. So glad to see that yous all are having a great time. Pictures are very interesting of what you are experiencing.Your week is going in so quickly with so much to see and do.I only hope that the next few days can be filled with life time memories. Romamia are so fortunte to have you all visit them. Hugs and Kisses The Garvey’s.
by Garvey family on 08/02/2011 at 8:48 pm #
Hi Sarah, great to hear that you are all getting on so well. What a difference this journey you and your teachers have made will make on so many peoples lives. Well done to you all.
With all those ceiles we might end up with a St Pauls Ceile Group??? Best wishes to you all.
by vivienne vize on 08/02/2011 at 10:06 pm #
Hi Rachel, Another day full of challenges for you and all your friends. Great picture of you Rachel with the washing machine – hope it was on wheels!. You are bringing so much joy to the adults and children you are meeting, not only with your gifts but also with your friendship, love and hugs. So just in case your batteries are running low we all send you a big bundle of hugs and lots of love.
Oonagh and Campbell
by Oonagh & Campbell Morrison on 08/02/2011 at 10:29 pm #
romeo romeo how art thou romeo LOL. you all seem to be having an amazing time. sure puts the lack of xbox into prespective guys ! hope the ‘talent show ‘ goes well, its great to be able to read the daily events and experiences and the photos are amazing. a wee question for the teachers ‘have you called to see dr hayden deane yet ? (for medicinal purposes of course ha ha). lots of love to you all, especially anthony and marc x
by patricia feehan on 08/02/2011 at 10:37 pm #
Ahh guys… you all look like your having a FAB time. 🙂 Wish I got the chance to go but.. 🙁 how and ever.. glad to see you are all making such a difference over there and im sure the craic is abz 90!!!
Cant’a wait to see yall when you get home.. make the most of it these memories will last foreverr!! x lyl
by Joe Grant on 09/02/2011 at 9:20 am #
i wish i had of got the opportunity to go on tis trip, mt da packi mcconville could have gave me supplies from our chemist to go! keep up the good work you guys p.s Claire you look unreal:) xxxx
by diarmuid mc conville on 09/02/2011 at 9:21 am #
Hi Emmett, Ciara and all the gang.
Glad to hear that you are all enjoying yourselves and not working too hard. On behalf of the CACHE students we Lindsay all the best and we hope that she is putting into practise all the skills that she has learnt from her Child Development and CACHE courses! Wishing you all a safe journey home.
by B Fegan and the CACHE students on 09/02/2011 at 9:25 am #
Well hello all. I feel very proud of you and the impact you are having wherever you go. It is wonderful to see the photographs showing the great work you are doing. Ciara you are doing a great job feeding all the info to us. Glad to note there is such a vast talent amongst the students. Enjoy it all and God bless.
Kathleen.
by Kathleen Moore on 09/02/2011 at 11:38 am #
Hey Aimee, looks like your having a great time 🙂 hope your enjoying every minute of it and you learn alot about others… Saw pics pics there and evrything.. Brill experince id say? Cant wait til your home, safe journey back and see you soon!! xx
by Megan Garvey on 09/02/2011 at 2:18 pm #
Hello Aimee and all in Romania
Was showing my P.2. class your wonderful pictures and reading your blog to them today. They were amazed as am I of the wonderful things you all have been so lucky to have experienced this week. Keep up your wonderful work and enjoy the rest of your time left.xxxxxx
by u Garveys and the P.2. class in Cullyhanna on 09/02/2011 at 5:16 pm #
Hi All
Glad to see you all having a great time, all the best enjoy your trip
From Rachel Campbell’s Granny, Breda and Noel
See you soon
by Breda Loughlin on 09/02/2011 at 7:20 pm #
Hi Sinead and Connor
Great to see all your doing out there from your photos. Gives us a chance to experience it with you. Not sure I could cope with the sadness of it all but makes us appreciate what we have. Sinead your caring smile and nature will be left with all those adults and children when you leave. Your leaving them something that money cant buy, and will bring hope to their lives and let them know someone does care. Very proud of you both. From all the gang on the Forkhill Road. SEE YOU WHEN YOU GET HOME. XXXX
by LIZ O'HANLON on 09/02/2011 at 8:13 pm #
Hello Ciara..Mr.McCaffery and all the pupils just read your blog… what a wonderful happy sad experience for you all.It is truly a life changing time for you and all the Children who are fortunate enought to meet with you.Please take those memories with you. Enjoy the rest of the time and safe journey home.. god bless.. Mary and Pat Lennon
by Mary Lennon on 09/02/2011 at 8:31 pm #
Hi Rachel Great to see you all having a better day today its good to know that there are people trying hard to make things better for the folks there.Everyone is looking forward to hearing all your news. Ps dad wants to know what the cobs are like and is there any sign of a nice harness.Txt later love from all.
by pauline campbell on 09/02/2011 at 9:05 pm #
Hi Sarah
We are all very proud of you for all the great work that you are doing over there, from the pictures it looks like you are enjoying yourself but I am sure its hard seeing all them wee kids like that too
Lots of Love
Louise xx
by Louise Doyle on 09/02/2011 at 9:25 pm #
Enjoyed the latest blog everyone. Was talking to Cathal Fearon and Anthony Feehan. Sounds like you enjoyed the dressing up last night, God help you Ciara and Mr McCaffrey. Today was much better for you, and hear the Romania School, gave you a good game of football. Cant believe the week is going so quickly, but you have done so much in a short time. Really looking forward to tomorrow nights blog. God bless everyone, stay safe. lots of love florine, owen, paraic and roisin fearon
by florine fearon on 09/02/2011 at 10:08 pm #
Hi Rachel and all your friends. What a wonderful day you have had. I’m sure all the young people you met today will remember you forever – especially for the dancing !!. It is really great to read about your journey each day. Much love and hugs to you all and thanks to the person writing the splendid blog each day.
Oonagh and Campbell Morrison.
by Oonagh Morrison on 09/02/2011 at 10:18 pm #
HEYY Everyone esp all the St Pats ones!! I’m a past pupil of St Patrick’s and traveled to Romania last year with the school. Its great to see all the fantastic work being continued. I have been reading the blog each day and it brings back many memories, i even recognize some of the orphan’s and elderly people in the pictures. Take Care everyone and enjoy the rest of your stay
Love Martine xo
by Martine Mc Garry on 09/02/2011 at 10:19 pm #
Hi Sarah and Ronan,
Seems like you are having a great time in romania! you should all be so proud of yourselves. One week helping out in schools and orphanages and you will be making life changes now and the future. Looking forward to hearing about the remainder of your stay, keep up the great work xx
by michelle vize on 09/02/2011 at 11:00 pm #
hi everyone, sounds like you all had a brilliant day,a lot more light hearted than yesterday. the cha cha slide must have been great fun, the whole experience only reiterates continually just how lucky we all are. hope you all continue to be enriched by this experience. lots of love and good wishes to you all, and yes. . . especially to anthony and marc, who incidently will become uncle anthont and uncle marc on monday x
by patricia feehan on 09/02/2011 at 11:22 pm #
oh dear,spelling mistake ! i hit the wrong key lol sorry anthony
by patricia feehan on 09/02/2011 at 11:24 pm #
Hi Sarah,
You are doing great! Well done and keep up the good work. We are all very proud of you and cant wait to hear nmore from your blog. Take care of yourself
Love,
Arlene
XXXX
by Arlene Dohetry on 10/02/2011 at 9:03 am #
It looks like yous are having a good time continue to enjoy yourselfs,when im in 6th year i hope to be going to Romania as i say it would bw a very good exprience 😀 .
by Caoimhe O'grady on 10/02/2011 at 9:22 am #
From the pictures, it looks like yous are doing a great job. it seems like such a good experience and i hope i get to go when im in 6th year. keep up the good work and have a safe trip home.
by Conall Davey on 10/02/2011 at 9:22 am #
I am just writing to say that this would be a life changing experience for all of you’s make the most of every momnet… also i would like to add that Claire and Kelly are looking well in the pictures keep it up girls …
by Ronan Finnegan on 10/02/2011 at 9:38 am #
Hi Sarah & Ronan
Sounds like you are all having the most amazing experience. All the pictures are great, everyone looks so happy. The cha cha slide, macarena & all those “international” dance moves will come into their own now – fun, laughter & smiles are all anyone needs to brighten their day. Enjoy the rest of the experience!
Lots of love,
Ally, Peter, Leila & Ella Beth xxxx
by Ally on 10/02/2011 at 10:16 am #
Really wish i was there :(:( But i’m glad to see a smile of the faces of my friends and the children who go through so much during the year. The children could have benifited from some of my da’s meat, but sure the oranges etc will do the same job. lol x. Reading the blogs everynight has become part of my daily routine. Its amazing to see that no matter how far people are away in the world in terms of distance, we’re all still very close through the spirit of St Pauls:) x lol
by Niamh Downey on 10/02/2011 at 11:11 am #
Hi Sarah
Was delighted to hear you are enjoying your trip such an experience you and your friends are having. Your a great girl and I know you will take alot away with you from this trip. Take care. Ashley
by Ashley on 10/02/2011 at 12:31 pm #
wow! fantastic! i wish i could write and perform a beautiful, lyrical song with a wee beat on my drums to express how i feel right now. it seems like an EXTRAORDINARY experience. there is a tear in my eye hehe 🙂 i would like to thank the team of pupils for representing our school so well and being great ambasadors hehe x lol.
by Micheal Mallon on 10/02/2011 at 12:59 pm #
hey guys, i wish i had got the chance to go but i hope yous have a good time. cant wait to hear all your stories when you come back. i have literally been glued to the live blog.
by mark byrne on 10/02/2011 at 3:06 pm #
Hi everyone, I hope yous are all having a blast!!! I know it is a tough and emotional journey but with togetherness yous can get through it… I’ll be hear to meet you on Saturday with a smile and open arms 😀 Love from Michael
by Michael Mallon on 10/02/2011 at 3:07 pm #
hey guys, i wish i had got the chance to go but i hope yous have a good time. cant wait to hear all your stories when you come back. i have literally been glued to the live blog.u all look fabulous xoxo
by mark byrne on 10/02/2011 at 3:08 pm #
Hi Ciara and all from St. Pauls,
Hope you are enjoying your experience and are not feeling the cold too much!! Ciara I can picture you typing up those updates in the wee hours of the morning. It’s lovely to read about all your experiences and the worthwhile work you are doing. Can’t wait to catch up when you get home. Love, Teresa and Tommy Farrell x
by Teresa Farrell on 10/02/2011 at 3:39 pm #
Hi Sarah and Ronan the teachers and all the gang, glad to here your weaning of the old McDonalds and tucking into the packed lunch on the move, hard to beat! I wonder what happened the real R. McDonald this morning?? him sleeping in – not like him,(cough,cough)sure he’s never late (cough, cough). Anyway enough of the slagging you are all a credit to St. Pauls and a credit to your wee country keep up the good work and keep safe xx Dad.
by hugh mcevoy on 10/02/2011 at 4:09 pm #
Hi Sarah & Ronan
Great to see you doing such good work!! Hope you are enjoying it. What a great experience to help those little children… We take so many things for granted!!Well done and keep up the good work.
Lots of love …Siobhan XXX.
by Siobhan Traynor on 10/02/2011 at 6:51 pm #
Hi Rachel You all seem to have a great day today can,t believe the week is nearly up it will be wonderful to see you Sat and hear all the craic.Txt later love mum dad and all.
by pauline campbell on 10/02/2011 at 9:12 pm #
”We are hoping that Anne-Marie Mallon will try being quiet for more than 5 minutes as her talent, now that would be an achievement!”
Never better words written.
Sounds like you are all havin a great time. Keep it goin. 🙂
by Aimee Mc Kevitt on 10/02/2011 at 10:01 pm #
Good evening Sarah and Ronan
i suppose this is the last we will be in touch with you all before you set of for the Emerald Isle. You can all be very proud of yourselves, what you have all seen and achieved in a week is more than I will ever see in my life time. You are all an inspiration and a credit to your teachers and school. Have a safe and happy journey home. Looking forward to seeing you, and of course Sarah we are all very proud of you.
Nanny and Vivienne
by vivienne vize on 10/02/2011 at 10:08 pm #
yet another great up date and lovely photos. .. . .speaking of photos. . havent seen my camera shy (not) son Anthony in any of the photos ! ! !. have been relating all the reports to my colleagues every lunch time, they all wait to hear the daily report and their are a few tears shed as they listen to all your wonderful stories. God bless, lots of love to you all x
by patricia feehan on 10/02/2011 at 10:19 pm #
HI ANNE-MARIE DELIGHTED THAT YOU ARE HAVING A FABULOUS TIME MUM AND I ARE VERY PROUD OF THE LOVE AND COMPASSION THAT YOU HAVE BOUGHT TO CHILDREN LESSS FORTUNATE MISSS YOU LOADS TAKE CARE AND COME HOME IN ON Xx PIECE
by STEPHEN MALLON on 10/02/2011 at 10:26 pm #
Hi Guys,
Just spent some time (a considerable amount) reading through what you’ve all been up to and it’s given me a great feeling!
You all seem to be doing such worthwhile stuff and I’m sure it’s making you feel closer together as a group. I hope everyone is behaving quite well for Mr McCaffery and Miss McCoy but don’t go too easy on them!!
I’m looking forward to catching up with you all when you get back and I know that anyone who studies Irish will have the floor to themselves to give us a blow by blow account (as Gaeilge dár ndóigh!) of what you’ve been doing.
Excellent blogs, I really enjoyed them. Keep safe and look after each other!!
Stephen
by Mr S Quinn on 10/02/2011 at 10:46 pm #
Hi Rachel and friends, What a lovely day you have all had, but I’m sure it was difficult saying goodbye to the little ones you met today. We didn’t know what the Cha – Cha Slide was, so checked it on google and we are all looking forward to a demonstration when you get home!!. You are probably all at the stage where you are ready to come home, but don’t really want the trip to end. Just know that this is an adventure you will never forget. We are all so proud of you. Well done everyone. Love Oonagh, Campbell and family.
by Oonagh & Campbell Morrison on 10/02/2011 at 10:58 pm #
hi Ronan and sarah, glad to here you enjoying your time there. will be glad to see you home.We are all very proud of you and all the gang with you. see you soon. Gem and Carla miss you so much!!!
by mum on 10/02/2011 at 11:02 pm #
Hi folks! Enjoy your very last day & evening together. I hope you have all enjoyed it & benefited from the experience. You are very lucky to have had the opportunity to travel to Romania & those you have met are very lucky to have come in contact with you. As is our tradition now, I hope you all enjoy the ‘awards ceremony’ & I hope Emmett can cope without me thinking of some original awards!!! I’m sure Ciara & Cathy will have their thinking caps on! P.S. Shaunna (the teacher from Lisburn who usually goes) has been following the blog & is so proud of the Lisburn crew.
by Christine Fearon on 10/02/2011 at 11:26 pm #
Micheal is of course here annoying us!!!! LOL.
Organic chemistry is so much fun hope the chemistry with the Romanians is as good lol. — Lots of bonding!!!;)
Rebecca & Anne Marie we are missing you as you talk so much in our class LOL
( This comment is from Mrs Mc Nulty)
by AS CHEMISTRY CREW on 11/02/2011 at 10:23 am #
It’s been great keeping track of you all week on the blog. I almost felt as if I was there with you all. Romania is definitely an experience for life and I’m so glad you had this chance to view another part of the world. One of the big lessons you will take home is how much we can learn from each other and the need to respect everyone we meet no matter what their life circumstances.
Have a safe journey home and enjoy your mid term break. I look forward to hearing about Romania first hand after the break.
All the best, O Mooney
by O Mooney on 11/02/2011 at 11:31 am #
HI GUYS THIS IS DOOIE FROM 09/51 HOPE YOUS ARE HAVING A BRILL TIME IN ROMANIA GUYS!!!!! LOVE DOOIE AND 09/51! XXXXXXXXXXXX <3 :D:P
by declan donaghay on 11/02/2011 at 1:48 pm #
Hello everyone. It is really wonderful to read all about the great gifts of personality, warmth and talents you have brought to Romania both the gifts of yourselves and the materials gifts you have given. I can’t explain how proud I am to be associated with each of you and I know you will return with many memories.
Have a safe journey home, enjoy your mid-term break on your return and God bless you all.
by Kathleen Moore on 11/02/2011 at 1:56 pm #
Hi Niamh and everybody, many thanks for the blog and great photos’, a good way of staying in touch and giving a real feel to the work you are doing out there. I’m sure you learn as much from them as they get from you. Good stuff.
Looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow.
Pauline
by Pauline Kersten on 11/02/2011 at 2:47 pm #
Hi Sinead Conor and gang . We cant express enough how proud we all our of u . The blog has been fanastic and many a tear has fallen reading all about your experiences . Enjoy your last night in Romania . Have a safe journey home cant wait to see you Sinead lots of love mammy and tom xx
by MARTINA MOLLINS on 11/02/2011 at 6:42 pm #
Hiya guys! Reading this blog has become part of my routine. Hope you enjoy your last night together. A big hello to Kelly, Claire, Rebecca and Claire. You’s have all done a fantastic job. Cant wait till hear all the gossip when you get back 🙂
Safe journey home! xx
by Janine on 11/02/2011 at 7:07 pm #
Hi Rachel,What awonderful trip you have all had it is brilliant to know that you have managed to do such good work out there .I want to thank the teachers for updating this Blog page and to see photos of what you are all up to makes us feel you are not so far away.As one mum who isn’t to good with tech i have learned pretty quick how to use this as a way of keeping in touch. All here can’t wait to have you home and I am sure at this point you have mixed feelings ready for home but not wanting to leave. Again so many thanks to everyone for making this a trip to remember with new friendships made and experiences shared which will stay with each of you forever. All our love to everyone Mum Dad and all the gang
by pauline campbell on 11/02/2011 at 8:12 pm #
Dia duit Ciara and crew. The blog has been great reading throughout the week, and the pictures have been brilliant too. Safe home for tomorrow.
by Niall McCoy on 11/02/2011 at 8:21 pm #
Hi everyone. Well it is so hard to believe the week is more or less up. This has been one of the best blogs i have read, i feel i know everything you have done, and saw, the photos were awesome and am looking forward to seeing Cathals own photos. It would be great if all the students put all their photos on a cd together, i would definietly buy one, to help raise funds for next year. Safe journey home tomorrow. just a final word: Cathal Fearon was always a fussy eater, but phoned me last night (thurs) to say he ate pork chops and loved them, and would be happy to try any food i make him now, as he suddenly reliases how lucky he is. Well done son,I knowq you have learned a lot this week, and thank God St Pauls gave u this opportunity, it will def make u a better person
lots of love mum, dad, paraic & roisin
by florine fearon on 11/02/2011 at 9:25 pm #
Hello Ciara and all your friends in Roamania…. sounds like a very busy fulfilling time was had by all.. safe journey home everybody… talk to you soon Ciara… love Mary Lennon
by Mary Lennon on 11/02/2011 at 9:37 pm #
Hello to all… What a great blog and way of keeping in touch with everyone. Looks like you all had another great week….see plenty of familiar faces in the photos. (Emmett particularly love the one of you with the chainsaw)
You have all done an amzing job over there, and should be so proud of yourselves. The memories from this week will stay with you forever, and the people you have met will remain in your thoughts.
Safe home tomorro and enjoy your last nite…Lookinf forward to hearing all the news on your return
by Shauna Hurson ( St Pats Lisburn) on 11/02/2011 at 10:43 pm #
Safe journey home tomorrow 🙂
by Aimee Mc Kevitt on 11/02/2011 at 10:49 pm #
hi, just a final message to wish you all a safe journey home. cant wait for that bus to roll in to the carrickdale tonight. what a humbling experience you have all had, i hope it will prove to be life changing. a warm clean cosy bed awaits you all at your homes. how lucky are you. . . some how i think now you all realise just that ! lots of love to anthony,marc and the whole group x x x
by patricia feehan on 12/02/2011 at 10:25 am #
Remember all them places in the photos and even a few people. Jealous im not back :L
by Kevin Moan on 12/02/2011 at 7:03 pm #
Thanks to everyone who helped and supported the Romania 2011 group you helped us all to make a difference to the lives of those in need. I think everyone of us has had a life changing experience and i personally would love to go back 🙂
by Rachel Kearney on 13/02/2011 at 11:19 am #
KNOCK KNOCK its 7.45 lol bet everyone is glad NOT to hear that this morning. I cant believe thats it all over for another year folks…
I would like to take this oppertunity to say a hugh thank you to all the students from both St Paul’s and St Pat’s who made this yet another fantastic and very worthwhile trip, you should all be extremely proud of what you have achieved over the week and all your parents should be proud of the well mannered young adults that they have raised. This is my 12th trip out to Romania and this year was the quickest group to mix in with each other right from the start at the carrickdale carpark, the first statement we heard at the front of the bus was ‘does anybody want a muffin’ from that point on it was constant chatting, laughing and of course a lot of tears over the next 7 days. I would like to say a hugh thank you to both schools for still allowing me the oppertunity to travel along with the group as it was unfortunate that dungannon had to pull out. I hope that Ciara and Karla enjoyed their first experience out to romania and will travel again with us, emmett as always your a true gentleman.
(P.s) i will be sure to wear my new Orange Armagh t-shirt with pride… lol
Cathy Hamilton (Tir eoghain)
by Cathy on 13/02/2011 at 3:37 pm #
I would just like to thank St Paul’s for the life changing experience i have been awarded. It has truly been the best week of my life from meeting new people from St Patrick’s Academy to comforting those less fortunate in Romania. I just want to acknowledge that this trip has made me think about life’s ups and downs more thorough. It has allowed me to connect more with what life has to offer. Romania was not all emotion and depression. The craic at night and them early mornings where Cathy knocked at the door at 7-45 each morning and shouted “It’s me! get up! are only little memories i will never forget. Becoming attached to a little girl in the orphanage on Thursday made me and Niamh feel so angry that she could be dumped in a place with no family. When we were leaving Bianca the little girl began to cry which broke our hearts. However, when we waved she gave us a smile. That smile will live in my memories for ever as we gained a sense of happiness and warmth from her. This moment stands out in my mind along with a number of others. Each day was a another chapter in the never ending memories of Romania 2011. The students from St Patrick’s academy are true legends “haha” and we have all become friends on facebook and exchanged phone numbers allowing us all to hopefully build on our new friendships. Getting the chance to go to Romania allowed this to happen along with the mixed emotions it had to offer. The tears shared last night when we separated at the Carrickdale marked the start of a new start in life. I would just like to take the opportunity to thank St Paul’s along with Mr Mc Caffery, Miss Mc Coy, Cathy and Karla for allowing me to receive an experience which has changed my life for the better. There are plans to return to Romania maybe in the summer and if the opportunity arises, i will surly jump at the chance because Romania will always be a part of my life.
by Ryan Mc Cabe on 13/02/2011 at 7:18 pm #
I would just like to thank St pauls for this opportunity and Miss Mc Coy, Mr Mc Caffery, Cathy and Karla for coming with us they were amazing and do not know how they are still sane after listening to anne-marie everyday. it was a brillant week one i will never forget and i did not want to leave. it had so many highs and lows like having to leave the chidren which was so hard. there was also funny moments like the boys dressing up, the talent show etc. However i will not miss the early mornings when Cathy knocks the door then laughs. Thank you again for this life changing experience and hope we can do it all again this summer
by Claire Mc Cone on 13/02/2011 at 8:32 pm #
Today was the first day in a week where i got my full 8hour sleep but I have to say was not great at all as I never got my morning wake up call from cathy and didn’t have to climb the balcony to wake up the boys next door 🙁 was a big change today waking up in my own bed and having the day to do what ever I want which for me was staying in bed the whole day but having the time today to look back on the past week in Romania has really affected me as i was able to recognise the big difference between two different countries. From this experience I hope it will change the way I look at things as it as opened my eyes as I seen how people are treated in Romania for different reasons ie for there metal health ect. Just going to end by saying a huge thank you to everyone who helped fundraise for this charity and Thanks to Mr Mc Caffery, Miss Mc Coy, Miss Nugent and Cathy. Ps. I will hopefully be heading back out in the summer with the Gang from this years group so hopefully all goes as planned 😀
by Sarah McEvoy on 13/02/2011 at 11:32 pm #
Romania, we miss you already. Plan is that we are boardin flight tomro at 2.00pm all our clothes are cleand and wev had a cup of tea time to go back and do the cha cha again.:D Romania has given me much more than i ever could have expected to achieve, the memories will never leave especially the smiles on those who we helped. Everyone has their own little memories that stand out to them, mine would have to be, giving my socks to the little woman in Vulcan and then she asked for my bra and hat..:L also the smiles on the childrens faces when we played with them and painted the little girls nails however there is also not so happy memories such as the smell and the horrible conditions the women in St. Treime church had to live in. It has made me realise and appreciate everything i have at home. we all have strong plans to head back out in summer and work at painting houses for the people etc. Thanks to Mr mc Caffery, Miss Mc Coy, Carla and Kathy for puttin up with us and our antics it was a great bit of craic. I encourage anybody in the years below to jump at this opportunity. words cannot describe.. <3
by Aimee Garvey on 14/02/2011 at 2:19 pm #
Romania was the best eye opening experience I have ever had! The conditions and the stories of the people who were stuck in these horrible places, really broke our hearts!! and I Know that everyone who has shared this experience would truly understand the difference’s between our country and theirs. Romania had its ups and downs and this will always be in our hearts. Thanks to Anthony Feehan everytime we hear ‘The Wanted, Heart Vacancy song it will always take us back to our time in Romania!! I would like to thank Mr Mc Caffery, Miss Mc Coy, Carla and Kathy for giving us this incredible experience and for putting up with our antics 🙂 words really could not describe it, and I hope our plans for the summer really do succeed! 🙂
by Lindsay Quinn on 14/02/2011 at 5:47 pm #
Romania was simply amazing!! Miss it soo much evn cathys 7.30am door knocks and wee laugh when the door was evntually answerd. It will be sadly missd, it was a amazing exprience that will never be forgot evn tho me and sarah dehydrated ourselves with our tears everyday! a special thanks to cathy for those endless supply of tissues that i got great use out of :L and apoligies to Karla for making her cry along with m especially in Vulcan lol. Evn with the early starts, cold, no home comforts and the tears it was filled with many laughs like the suitcase and telly prank and the wellys under “patricks” bed :L. Words cant described the exprience or how much it will be missed and no one will ever understand how hard of lives people have. I would do it again in a heartbeat!! Romania 2011 has been the highlight of my life <3
by NIamh Gribben on 14/02/2011 at 6:54 pm #
Romania, what can you say about a country so beautiful it easily brings a smile to your face and then such poverty you could just cry, like we did. But like Ryan says, the shock of the poor children in care, evryone of them beautiful and just looking for love. I don’t think i’ll ever be able to forget Bianca and those tears and smiles. I’ve never met such a beautiful, energetic happy little girl never minding the state her life was going to be in. Cathy i just wants to say thanks for waking me up and waitin till i realised i wasn’t dreaming and actually had someone knockin on the door :L Ms Nugent your a laugh, singalongs :D, A mhaistris Mc Coy, this presentation is killing me, but the ceilis were quality, and mc caff, i love you hair thats all im sayin :D. Lets get this trip for the summer organised because i need to see those young and old faces so happy just to see us. Dont think i’ll ever do somethin as worthwhile again. I’m a new person x
by Niamh Ní Cheallaigh on 14/02/2011 at 8:46 pm #
Hey folks, I hope you are coping ok now you are back in sunny Ireland. I know some people find it tough adjusting to normal life again, but it will take some time. Get your photos developed and share your stories with everyone.
I never thought I’d say this, but I do actually miss you all, anthony for your continuous singing, niamh for making me cry in Vulcan, and i could go on!
Take the positives out of the trip and I know it will make us change for the better, in everything we do.
Sarah Black, I have your gifts, I will post them to the school next week when it opens again!
Take care everyone and keep in touch. Good luck to all of you in everything that you do.
Miss Nugent.
by Karla Nugent on 16/02/2011 at 10:57 am #
OMG best time of my life have to go back again sometime loved the country and the people that we meet. all the people that went to Romania from St Pauls and St Patricks Lisburn were the best crack real enjoyed and would love to go back sometime thanks to all the teachers and people that helped us out in Romania.
by rachel campbell on 21/02/2011 at 1:08 pm #