Pupils from Creevy National School near Ballyshannon in Co. Donegal have received a very special award from Irish humanitarian response agency, GOAL, for their part in a unique programme on global issues.
The bright young minds in teacher Carmel Magee’s Fourth Class completed a number of GOAL Development Education workshops, earning them a Certificate of Achievement for their ongoing commitment and dedication to the programme.
One programme the students took part in was an hour and a half long drama-based workshop to help them better understand the struggles ordinary people face in some of the countries GOAL works.
Not only are these children committed to making the world a better place, they have shown admirable enthusiasm towards fundraising, raising almost €600 for GOAL’s Jersey Day in 2018.
GOAL Development Education Officer, Mura Tierney, who worked closely with the students in Creevy, said:
“I was very impressed by the humanitarian ethos of the school and the way staff and students alike were passionate about justice and human rights. The children were very enthusiastic workshop participants and asked great questions. I admire their dedication to humanitarian work and commitment to each workshop they took part in.”
She said GOAL’s Development Education programme would not work without the commitment of school teachers throughout Ireland who care and nurture young minds each day.
Creevy NS Fourth Class Teacher, Carmel Magee, said the GOAL programme helped her better engage her young pupils about global issues:
“Getting involved with GOAL’s Development Education programme has helped the children become more aware of the difficulties that some people endure each day. The work was presented in an enjoyable and fun way, but when completed the children had gained so much knowledge. It was great to see the impact it made on the children, and how they were coming up with ideas on ways that we could improve the world through changing our habits as well as raising money.”
The students involved were thrilled with the award and had the following to say:
“Doing work with GOAL made me feel concerned about other people in other countries and it made me feel like I needed to help other people more. I also realised that when I helped it made me feel brighter too.”
“GOAL made me more aware of the struggles that other people live in.”
“Working with GOAL this year has helped me because now I know what pain and suffering people are going through. We can help them by raising money for them and I would love to do it again.”
GOAL offers free workshops to primary schools nationwide. For more information visit https://www.goalglobal.org/
