Entries by Serve

Last thoughts before departing home

July 17, 2014 in /by

By Christina Sayers Trying to process the past few weeks. Today is our last day in the Philippines. We’re beginning our journey home tomorrow. Last night we had our Solidarity night. Each host family we stayed with, the teachers of the Badjao school and both members of the Redemptorist and Presentation sisters were invited. It […]

Admiration for the people of Tacloban

July 17, 2014 in , /by

By Ruth Moore Departing for Tacloban last Sunday triggered feelings of anxiety among each of us. After spending a joy filled two weeks with the Badjao we were sad to say goodbye and apprehensive about the forthcoming week. On Monday morning during a tour of the local areas in Tacloban the damage caused by the […]

Our time in Tacloban (Philippines)

July 17, 2014 in , /by

By Mark McMullen On Sunday July 6th 2014 we set off on our next visit to Tacloban. In November 2013 the area had suffered greatly from a typhoon known locally as “Yolanda” which had caused a lot of destruction to property and had taken the lives of thousands of people. On landing at the airport in […]

Volunteering and the SDP (South Africa)

July 17, 2014 in , /by

By Siobhan Hughes (SERVE Development Programme Officer) We have been in South Africa for the past week documenting our partners who are receiving funding as part of Irish Aid’s 2012 – 2015 programme (SERVE’s Development Programme (SDP)). SERVE works in partnership with two local organisations in Rustenburg in the North West province of South Africa. […]

Week 2 – Morning Star

July 15, 2014 in /by

By Darren Hennelly Days go by swiftly at Morning Star, racing along with predictable similarities. Yet they are filled with dynamic moments which set them apart and leave lasting memories. Evidence to validate this contradiction is ubiquitous from the smiles on the faces of those who know little expression, to the endless handshakes and greetings […]

Week 2 – Sumanahalli

July 15, 2014 in /by

By Hannah Kielty Another great week was had out at Sumanahalli. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time is flying by! It was straight back into work on Monday after our leisurely weekend at NSK. Each morning from 9am – 11am Emily, Sam and I help out at the leprosy clinic in Ave Maria. […]

South Africa – Week 1 Blog

July 14, 2014 in /by

By Claire Murphy 6th July 2014 I woke to a stunning sunrise through the window of the airplane with not long to land, feeling very excited about the weeks ahead. The group have gelled really well in the last twenty-odd hours of travelling.  We landed in Johannesburg and were met by Michael, Simon and Charles.  Michael […]

Week 1 of volunteering in South Africa

July 14, 2014 in /by

‘Intensity!’ A word to describe coming to South Africa and volunteering – Intensity. South Africa exists in an almost paradoxical position for a modern nation. Things are so much better than they used to be, yet could be so much better still. It’s a complex country with complex problems and we here as SERVE volunteers […]

Week 1 – Bangalore

July 8, 2014 in /by

By Anne McGuiggan My overriding feeling when arriving in India was one of relief. Relief to have gotten here safely, relief to find that the heat wasn’t too overwhelming, and relief that I was finally here, that all the planning, fundraising and anticipation was going to become a reality. Since being here, I have found […]