Entries by Serve

Cllr Dan Boyle wishes SERVE volunteers the very best

Cllr Dan Boyle wishes SERVE volunteers the very best

“The experiences and knowledge that SERVE volunteers will bring back to Ireland from their placement overseas will help us all do and be better.”

SERVEVolunteer2023WithCllrDanBoyle
2023 SERVE Volunteers with Cllr Dan Boyle in Scala, Blackrock, Cork











This summer, 30 SERVE volunteers from Ireland will be on placement in India, Zambia and Mozambique.

Cllr Dan Boyle met the SERVE volunteers on their final pre-departure training day in Scala in Blackrock, Cork.
 

Cllr Dan Boyle also participated in a Global Citizenship Education Workshop that focussed on Ethical Development, Solidarity & Power. 

 
Cllr Dan Boyle said, “It’s only this generation and the one before that knows Ireland as a wealthy country. It’s important to uphold the values of community and collaboration to be a successful country more so than a wealthy country. The experiences and knowledge that SERVE volunteers will bring back to Ireland from their placement overseas will help us all do and be better. I wish the SERVE volunteers well and hope that their continued global citizenship journey will be more valuable to them.
 
SERVE began in 2003 and their work contributes to the 17 Global Goals. As a part of their commitment to becoming Global Citizens, volunteers engage in an extensive training programme in the months leading up to their placements. 
 
Rory Murphy works with Cork Life Centre and will be one of the leaders taking the group of SERVE volunteers to Zambia. Rory explains, “All SERVE volunteers across the different groups work on projects ranging from English lessons to assisting therapists who work with people living with disabilities. Another thing they will all do is create a mural while in country to reflect the Global Goals. All their learnings will be shared upon their return to Ireland at the Nest Step weekend.”
 
Although SERVE has continued their work in Ireland, SERVE’s overseas programme has been on hold since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Laura Canning is SERVE’s Volunteer Programme and Global Citizenship Education Coordinator. Laura says, “It’s great to be able to send volunteers overseas to our partners for the first time in 3 years… We are really looking forward to seeing the impact that the GCE Programme has on our volunteers when they return and how they put their learning into practice through active global citizenship.”

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Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Clare locals volunteer with SERVE

Co. Clare locals volunteer with SERVE

I am eager to immerse myself in a new culture…. gain a fresh perspective on the world.” 

SERVE_2023_TrainingDay1_1
2023 SERVE volunteers at Training Day in Scala, Cork











Co. Clare locals Maire Donohue and Jane O’Loughlin are volunteering overseas this summer with SERVE.

Both originally from Co Clare, Maire will travel to Mazabuka, Zambia while Jane will travel to Bengaluru, India for three weeks 

Maire currently works as a primary school teacher in the Gaelscoil Donncha Rua in Shannon, teaching children in 4th , 5th and 6th class. Maire explains, “I had a huge learning experience when I previously volunteered as a teacher in Uganda. I want to learn more from different cultures and so started my research again to volunteer. I looked at charities who were working with Comhlamh and came across SERVE.”  

SERVE is an Irish development and volunteering organisation, committed to providing equal opportunities for poor communities in the Global South. SERVE started work in 2003. This year marks 20 years of working in partnership with organisations in 11 countries over the years to tackle poverty through sustainable solutions. 

Maire elaborates, “After visiting the SERVE website and realising that they focus on youth work especially in Zambia I was determined to go volunteer there. I hope to exchange ideas with teachers and youth workers in Zambia that I can bring back to Ireland and implement in my classroom here and I hope I will have some ideas that I can share with the Zambian teachers that they may be able to use in their schools.”  

Jane O’Loughlin grew up in Kilshanny and is currently studying at UCC, Cork to become a speech and language therapist. Jane said, “I became aware of SERVE’s volunteer recruitment programme through an email that UCC sent out. Since my time in secondary school volunteering abroad has always been something I wanted to get involved with, so I saw this as a perfect opportunity. 

SERVE’s work with their partners to contribute to the Global Goals. There are 17 Global Goals that offer a roadmap for peace and prosperity for all people and the planet.  

Jane adds, “As part of my college course, I’ve had several placements working with children, and adults with intellectual disabilities, which has been very rewarding and motivating for me. Hence, when I learned about the different volunteer placements offered by SERVE, I was particularly drawn to the India placement with the Association of People with Disabilities (APD) in Bengaluru. This opportunity to work with children and adults with a range of disabilities, provide my clinical knowledge to help improve their lives, and gain new skills and confidence from the partners in India was a strong motivation for me to sign up.”

The SERVE volunteer programme aims to build bridges between communities and evokes the spirit of solidarity in Irish people with the communities they’ll work in. 

Maire adds, “I hope to embrace and experience a new culture, pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Also, I hope on my return to Ireland I can further promote the work SERVE does with all their partner countries and maybe encourage one other person to volunteer with SERVE in the future.” 

Jane said, “I am eager to immerse myself in a new culture, learn about their way of life, and gain a fresh perspective on the world. The opportunity to understand the experiences of people with disabilities living in India and work towards making an impact in their lives motivated me to sign up to the SERVE Volunteer Programme.

The SERVE Volunteer Programme was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this summer, SERVE will be sending almost thirty volunteers to Mozambique, Zambia and India. 

SERVE’s Volunteer Programme and Global Citizenship Education Coordinator, Laura Canning says: “It’s great to be able to send volunteers overseas to our partners for the first time in 3 years… We are really looking forward to seeing the impact that the GCE Programme has on our volunteers when they return and how they put their learning into practice through active global citizenship.”

Join our newsletter to follow Maire and Jane’s active global citizenship journey. 

About the SERVE Volunteering Programme:

SERVE’s work contributes to the 17 Global Goals. As a part of our commitment to becoming Global Citizens, all our volunteers engage in an extensive training programme in the months leading up to their volunteer placement.  Click here to apply to the latest Volunteer Programme!

Volunteer

Volunteer with SERVE

Join the latest SERVE Volunteer Programme(s)

Mayo Locals volunteer with SERVE in Mozambique

Co. Mayo Locals volunteer in Mozambique

“When I received the email last year offering me a place it was a no brainer!”

SERVE_2023_TrainingDay1_1
2023 SERVE volunteers at Training Day in Scala, Cork











This summer, Co. Mayo locals Sinead Coll and Diane Tierney will travel alongside 10 others, to Mozambique.

For three weeks they will work on various projects on the Dondo and Manga campuses, in collaboration with  our partners; Young Africa.

Diane Tierney attended school at Mount St. Michael’s, before going on to study Environmental Science in UL. “I always kind of had an interest in science (which might come as a surprise if any of my past teachers are reading this!)”, she joked. “When I was in transition year I participated in Gaisce so that involved volunteering in the local community so I would have helped out in the parish at masses and with local Foróige clubs being a youth leader!” 

Sinead Coll, who attended Davitt College, is presently studying Mechanical Engineering at UL. She too has previous experience with volunteering, having volunteered with SERVE in 2019. “Since going to Zambia I knew I wanted to do something like this again for a longer period of time… I chose to go with SERVE because I’d such an amazing experience with them the first time” Sinead explained. She also hopes to gain a new perspective on her future career path and find a way to use her degree to help other people.

Diane adds, “My cousin Rachel previously volunteered twice with SERVE. I was only maybe 8/9 yrs at the time but I remember her telling stories about the work they did and showing me pictures and from then on I always had it in my head that it was something I wanted to do. When I saw a flyer on campus one day I decided to sign up. Originally, I had signed up and was offered to travel to the Philippines in 2020. I had attended two of the training sessions and had completed the bulk of the fundraising but unfortunately COVID put a halt to our plans! When I received the email last year offering me a place it was a no brainer!”

Sinead and Diane both noted the value of the workshops, not only for getting to know the other volunteers before going overseas, but also the deeper levels of education on relevant topics.

Sinead said, “I think the training days are really good for getting to know the other volunteers, they’re also educational as we’ve learnt about the Global Goals, we’ve learnt that it’s not only about what we do in the countries but about learning what to take from it and how to continue the work in our everyday lives.” 

Diane and Sinead unanimously look forward to experiencing a new culture, meeting new people and getting out of their comfort zones. 

SERVE’s Volunteer Programme and Global Citizenship Education Coordinator, Laura Canning says: “It’s National Volunteer Week and witnessing the journey of all our volunteers is an extreme joy. It’s also great to be able to send volunteers overseas to our partners for the first time in 3 years… We are really looking forward to seeing the impact that the GCE Programme has on our volunteers when they return and how they put their learning into practice through active global citizenship.”

Join our newsletter to follow Sinead and Diane’s active global citizenship journey. 

About the SERVE Volunteering Programme:

SERVE’s work contributes to the 17 Global Goals. As a part of our commitment to becoming Global Citizens, all our volunteers engage in an extensive training programme in the months leading up to their volunteer placement.  

become a donor

Donate to SERVE

Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Flip Flop Appeal 2023

SERVE Flip Flop Appeal 2023​

May 2023

Days to Go

0 Days



June 7, 2023

12:00



Ireland

Everywhere



Target

€2000

Every donation goes to support the work we do with our partners in the Global South.

Support an Irish charity fighting poverty in Global South today.

Over the last 20 years, your donations to SERVE have contributed to supporting education & entrepreneurship training, services for people living with disabilities, community development, emergency responses, anti retro viral programmes and much much more.
 
Every Euro you donate goes a long way to fight the challenges of poverty through sustainable solutions.
 
 
Support SERVE, contribute to the Global Goals.

 

Please support the SERVE Flip Flop Appeal this month.

Hint: When you sign up to contribute monthly, you are supporting our work in the most sustainable way possible throughout the year.


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Donate to Flip Flop Appeal

When you sign up to contribute monthly, you are supporting our work in the most sustainable way possible throughout the year.

 

  • SERVE’s varied programmes impact marginalised young people in India, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia.
  •  
  • For eg: SERVE works with partners to provide educational, entrepreneurship and skills training programmes for up to 5,000 young people in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to tackle the unemployment crisis.

 

* Did you know if you donate €250 or more in a year, we can claim a refund of tax paid on that donation? Read more and download tax relief form here.

All your queries

Flip-flops are the footwear of the poorest people of the world, so this is why it is featured on our logo and its significance is at the heart of our appeal. 

The Flip Flop Appeal, is our flagship fundraising campaign that began in 2005. SERVE has been able to advocate for vulnerable communities with the Irish people because of this appeal.

It allows SERVE to share the inspiring story of the Thai women who create our Fair-trade Flip Flop pins at income generating projects ran by the Good Shepard Sisters in Nong Khai, Thailand.

The project’s goal is to empower women to become self sufficient and live a dignified life.

This year’s SERVE marks its 20th anniversary of working in the Global South. 

Over the last 20years SERVE has made the Flip Flop Appeal to support the work we do with our partners to overcome the huge challenges they face in their community.

These initiatives are

  • * Developed with the partners
  • * Tangible, sustainable, long term solutions to fight poverty
  • * Proactively contributing to the Global Goals

When you support the Flip Flop Appeal you instantly become an active Global Citizen.

Make a monthly contribution to SERVE to support our work in the most sustainable way possible throughout the year.

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TY students of Coláiste Éamann Rís learn about SDGs with SERVE

TY students of Coláiste Éamann Rís learn about SDGs with SERVE

Building active global citizens of today

Coláiste Éamann Rís TY students at SERVE HQ in Scala











SERVE is currently facilitating a 6-week SDG Champions Programme with Coláiste Éamann Rís TY students. The programme will conclude next week.

This programme has been funded by the Department of Education as part of their Education for Sustainable Development Strategy.  

The programme involves 2 hour long interactive workshops across six weeks with TY students. The students explore topics related to the Sustainable Development Goals and how they can become global citizens to achieve these goals.

The programme started with TY students visiting SERVE at our HQ in Scala where they explored the Global Goals (SDG) Trail. 

Members of the SERVE team visited the school for further workshops on topics such as fast fashion, plastic pollution and climate action.

Brian Kenny, teacher at Coláiste Éamann Rís commented, “The SDG Programme is a huge success with our TY group. Students have commented that the content is easy to understand, and they really enjoy the interactive nature of the delivery. They especially enjoyed the walking debates.

The Programme makes the topic relatable and accessible for our group of students. They have been really engaged and enthused by the various topics and have carried their learning into other subjects as has been mentioned by other subject teachers, namely economics.”

We look forward to the final workshop with the students. Together with their teachers, we hope that they can take their learnings from this programme further to become active global citizens and change makers. 

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SERVE SDG Champions School Programme_Irish Charities


SERVE SDG Champions School Programme

SERVE’s SDG Champions School Programme aims to provide young people with an opportunity to learn about the world around them and their role in it as well as the steps they can take to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

become a donor

Donate to SERVE

Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Thoughts from 1st Training Day of 2023 Volunteer Programme

Thoughts from Training Day 1

John Mannion is SERVE country leader for 2023 Volunteer Programme. John shares thoughts from the 1st Training Day of SERVE 2023 Volunteer Programme

JohnMannion_2023_LeadersTrainingDay
John Mannion with others during SERVE Training Day 1 in Scala, Cork (2023)











I attended the Serve Training day on 25/02/2023 at their offices in Scala, Blackrock in Cork city. I researched the place name Scala and found out it means steps in English. In many ways the training day could be summed up as a step by step approach for volunteering with SERVE.

SERVE, you might already know, are committed to tackling the root causes of poverty to achieve justice, equality and opportunities for all they work for.

We mostly discussed the Sustainable Development Goals and how we can implement them into our daily lives.

Being one of the older members on the training day I was very impressed and encouraged to see some many younger people interested and enthusiastic about the work of SERVE in Ireland and in the projects they work in other countries.

The trainers and organisers on the day were also young people and created an environment, which encouraged participation and discussion. We broke into smaller groups at different intervals and then returned to the larger groups to discuss our findings. We mostly discussed the Sustainable Development Goals and how we can implement them into our daily lives.

The trainers emphasised that these SDGs are things we should try to incorporate into our thinking and actions all of the time, not just for one month in the summer when we volunteer with SERVE. This was the aspect of this discussion that I liked the most and challenged me the most.

I still have a long way to go before I can volunteer with SERVE in Bangalore, India this summer.

The appealing aspect of volunteering with an organisation like SERVE is that they do not simply go to a country to make a short-term impact and then leave. SERVE work in partnership with approved local organizations already established in the countries where volunteers are sent, and so the work to achieving the SDGs is ongoing.

I had a good time that day. It was also challenging, and I felt supported and listened to by everyone involved with the SERVE training day. I still have a long way to go before I can volunteer with SERVE in Bangalore, India this summer.

I recognise that volunteering with APD and Sumanahalli in Bangalore, India appears to be the pinnacle of my journey. However, I must add that the journey continues when I return home to Ireland and contribute to the SDGs through my words and actions. This was the the biggest learning from the 1st training day for the SERVE 2023 Volunteer Programme.

… the journey continues when I return home to Ireland and contribute to the SDGs through my words and actions.

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become a donor

Donate to SERVE

Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Hike Carrauntoohil for SERVE

Hike Carrauntoohil for SERVE

Saturday May 6TH 2023

Days to Go

0 Days



May 6, 2023

09:00



Cronin's Yard, Mealis, Beaufort

Killarney, Co. Kerry



Fundraising

€200 per person

Climb Carrauntoohil to help SERVE fight poverty 

Looking for Irish charity challenge ideas? Want to raise money for charity?

Join the Carrauntoohil Hike on May 6th to support SERVE.

 

Do you accept the challenge to hike the highest mountain of Ireland?

This is your opportunity to meet other climbers, adventure lovers and more like minded people who want to give back.

Carrauntoohil is 3,407ft high. That’s  numerous memories and countless steps for you.

* Are you looking for new memories?

* Are you looking for a new challenge with friends?

* Are you simply looking to celebrate your birthday with an unforgettable adventure?

Then, Carrauntoohil awaits you!

 

When you take each step to climb this mountain to support SERVE, you will  fight poverty.

This challenge represents the hardships of the communities we work with in our 7 partner countries.

Your fundraising target is €200. All funds raised will go towards:

  • * education and employment skills,
  • * entrepreneurship opportunities,
  • * community development and
  • * access to wheelchairs

When you complete this event you will receive a certificate, a SERVE T- shirt and a water bottle to show you our deep gratitude and to mark your achievement.

Are you ready to scale this incredible mountain?

Support Irish charity SERVE, and sign up for this challenge today!


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this event is in aid of:

SERVE's work in 7 countries

SERVE’s varied programmes impact marginalised young people in India, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia.

For eg: SERVE works with partners to provide educational, entrepreneurship and skills training programmes for up to 5,000 young people in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to tackle the unemployment crisis.

All your queries

This challenge is for persons age 18+.

It’s strongly advised that you are in good health and have a reasonable fitness level.

Prior hiking experience is not essential, but training will be required in preparation for the event.

Your fundraising target is €200

All the funds you raise will go to the work SERVE does in 7 countries to end poverty.

The different types of projects we’re involved with are as follows:

  • * education and employment skills,
  • * entrepreneurship opportunities,
  • * community development and
  • * access to wheelchairs
 

Registration form


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Postcard from Nollaig in Zimbabwe

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Rebecca sky dives for SERVE

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Team SERVE takes over Flirt FM – March 2022 SERVE on Flirt FM Nollaig Hulme and Paula Quigley from Team SERVE take over Flirt FM.

Meet Sophie Lyons, new member of Team SERVE

SERVE welcomes Sophie Lyons

We welcome Sophie Lyons to Team SERVE in the role of Fundraising and Events Administrator. Sophie writes a short blog to introduce herself.

Sophie Lyons joins Team SERVE











My first volunteer experience was in secondary school. My school was always holding bake sales and encouraging us to fundraise for various charities around town.
 
But I don’t think I fully appreciated the impact and significance of charities like SERVE until my education opened my eyes to all the injustices that still exist in the world.
 
I think it was difficult to understand in school how a bake sale could help someone halfway around the world.
 
My education, on the other hand, has taught me the value of volunteering and fundraising.
 
I earned a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and health from MTU and a master’s degree in public health from UL.
 
My MSc in Public Health introduced me to a wide range of people and highlighted many of the fundamental rights that people are still fighting for.
 
I believe that volunteering or assisting charities in any way possible pushes you to grow in many ways while also contributing to the fight against social injustices.
 
I am excited to begin my journey with SERVE and see how far I can push myself, learn along the way, and hopefully make a difference in the world where it matters.

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Welcome Laura Canning

“Volunteering pushes you outside of your comfort zone..” Laura Canning joins Team SERVE in the role of Global Citizenship Education and Volunteer Programme Coordinator. Laura

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Donate to SERVE

Join us today in helping to provide equal opportunities for communities living in poverty across the globe.

Joyful time at (Re)New Tidings

Joyful time at (Re)New Tidings

SERVE, collage artist Silvio Severino, Cork Zero Waste, Cork Clothes Swap and Cork Repair Cafe joined forces to host (Re)New Tidings. This was a family friendly event held in Scala on 29th Jan.











There was collage making, swap shops for clothes, plants, recipes, repair stations and ofcourse the Global Goals Trail.

Everyone enjoyed their time connecting, sharing and learning more about re-use and repair culture.

Paula Quigley, SERVE’s Programme and Administration Manager explains, “(Re)New Tidings was a collaborative effort between us and Cork-based community groups. We all hope it will inspire others to come together and spark conversations about sustainability in all aspects of our life.”

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Postcard from Nollaig in Zimbabwe

"I am learning everyday."

Nollaig Hulme is the SERVE Monitoring and Evaluations officer based in Zimbabwe. Nollaig sends a postcard detailing first impressions.

Nollaig Hulme at Young Africa office (Jan 2023)











I have been in Zimbabwe for a little over 2 weeks now. However, when I look back my journey here began in late 2017 when, as a college student, I decided to sign up to the SERVE Volunteer Programme.

Fast forward to July 2018 and I am volunteering at the Young Africa Campus in Beira, Mozambique with SERVE. From there I continued working with SERVE by volunteering in Vietnam in 2019 and being involved in ‘Think Global Act Local’ and the ESC funded Global Goals project.

I then became SERVE’s GCE and Volunteer Programme Coordinator. Since my first introduction to Young Africa through SERVE in 2018, I knew I wanted to get more involved. So, when the opportunity arose to become SERVE’s Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Officer based at the Young Africa International Hub in Harare, Zimbabwe, I knew it was not an opportunity I could pass up.

Which brings me to now, writing this from the Hub in Harare where I have been welcomed with open arms by everyone and feeling like I have been here a lot longer than 2 weeks. I have gotten straight into work at the Hub and visiting two of the YA centres in Chitungwiza and Epworth. In my first week here I spent a day visiting these centres and collecting the beginnings of what will turn out to be Impact Stories for students who have just enrolled as new students in Young Africa.

Hearing stories from the students about what they have endured so far in life can very rapidly put things into perspective for this eager westerner who has chosen to move here, as I am reminded that this country has one of the highest rates of unemployment at 95% (from anecdotal evidence) and to not take my position and privileges for granted.

While many of my friends back home in Ireland emigrate to Australia/New Zealand/Canada, I am very thankful to be able to do something a little different and spend time here.

Nollaig Hulme with students and their Machine Shop teacher John at the Young Africa campus in Chitungwiza

I am learning every day, not just about development work but about Zimbabwean history and culture. I thought I had a good grasp on it already but there are some things you can only learn and experience by being here.

My colleagues have been teaching me Shona and about Zimbabwean life, bringing different local food into the office to try. Despite my experience so far being full of positives, there has been some challenges too.

Moving to a new continent by yourself is difficult, but then there is the addition of getting exposed to some of the challenges of everyday Zimbabwean life – the lack of electricity to name just one. Although I am lucky enough to not be affected as much by these issues as those young people we work with on an everyday basis.

2023 is a big year for both Young Africa and SERVE. Young Africa are celebrating their 25th Anniversary and SERVE are celebrating their 20th Anniversary, which also means YA and SERVE are celebrating 15 years in partnership.

It is quite the monumental year to be involved in both and to celebrate all that we have achieved and what is yet to come.

You could say that my decision that day in the UCC library to sign up to the SERVE Volunteer Programme has been quite life changing and I look forward to the opportunities and challenges that I am about to have here.

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