Swatragh volunteers raising funds ahead of mercy mission to Africa

The original idea for a volunteer project was generated by Fr Kieran O’Doherty and the Granaghan Parish Council.

With the exception of 2014, Granaghan Outreach have had a team of volunteers travel to either Kenya, Zambia or Argentina every year since the charity’s inception.

Since 2006, the public’s generosity has meant Granaghan Outreach has provided a huge amount of assistance, including the 2006 Nyasidhi School renovation; the 2009 Kayieye Dormitory construction for special needs children, one of the only schools in the Siaya district that caters for children with special needs; the 2015 trips, the construction of a classroom for the special needs children for which the dormitory was constructed in 2009, as well as numerous donations.

Now in its’ 11th Year Granaghan Outreach have secured a team of 16 volunteers, who will travel to a rural School located near Naro Moru, on 17th September for two weeks.

The 2016 project will be based once again in Tigithi, on the slopes of Mount Kenya. The main project for this team will be the new build of a laboratory, which the school urgently requires.

As well as manual input into the renovation, the team will have the opportunity to teach and play with the children, visit past projects undertaken by the various Granaghan Outreach teams and visit potential projects for future volunteers.

Granaghan Outreach focus mainly on education based projects, to help enable kids break the cycle of poverty.

Each volunteer pays for their own flights, travel insurance and vaccinations, with all funds raised going directly towards project funding.

In an effort to raise the profile of Granaghan Outreach, and to encourage new blood to ensure the future success of the charity there will be a fundraiser for the 2016 trip to Kenya on Friday, July 1, in Slaughtneil GAA Hall, headlined by “All Folk’d Up”.

Described as “the most exciting young Irish Band to appear in a generation”...the very talented All Folk’d Up have said they are “delighted to be playing Slaughtneil Hall, in support of the Granaghan Outreach charity”.

With their sound rooted deep in Irish Folk and Celtic Rock, All Folk’d Up take you on a fabulous journey into the depths of traditional Irish Music and American Folk as well as some Dance, Rock and Modern Classics with an Irish Twist.

This six-piece band have already made a name for themselves, touring the Length and Breadth of Ireland and have embarked on their first ever UK Theatre Tour, in the Spring 2016.

Support will be provided by ever popular local band, “The Rusty Strings”. There will be a barbcue served from 7pm-9pm, with music from 9pm-late.

Entry to the event is by ticket only, which are onsale now for only £15.00. Anyone wanting to come along are advised to snap up their tickets quickly as numbers are limited, for what promises to be a night of great music, food and craic. Those attending will not be disappointed!

Tickets are now available at the following outlets: Rafters Bar and Restaurant and Wee Pats Bar, Swatragh;

Walsh’s Hotel and The Dugout Bar, Maghera; Boyles Bar, Gulladuff; The Wild Duck and Pats Bar, Portglenone;

O’Neills Bar and Talk of the Town, Kilrea; The Old Point, Drumagarner; Costcutters Shop, Glenullin and The Corner House, Draperstown. Or alternatively contact Eoin McGuckian on 07710 779 377 or Siobhán O’Kane 07871 659 392.