Entries by Serve

SERVE 4 Peaks Challenge 2022

March 4, 2022 in /by

SERVE 4 Peaks Challenge 2022

Date: 24th to 26th June

Join us in climbing Ireland’s 4 highest provincial peaks in one weekend. Climb in solidarity with our partners. Your every step will help raise vital funds to help empower women and young people in Asia and Africa.

Why climb the 4 Peaks?

Our partners work with vulnerable women and young people in Asia and Africa. This difficult challenge represents their obstacles to live with dignity.

Climb the four highest provincial peaks in 3 days to increase awareness:

  • About their challenges like lack of skills training and access to employment opportunities. 
  • Of the various stereotypes that women and young people have to overcome to gain self-empowerment.

When you sign up for this challenge, you are directly assisting women and young people on their uphill climb towards a prosperous life.

Everything you need to know

 We’re climbing:

  1. Carrauntoohil, Co. Kerry (1,038m)
  2. Mweelrea, Co. Mayo (814m)
  3. Slieve Donard, Co. Down (925m)
  4. Lugnaquilla, Co. Wicklow (850m)

The Schedule:

  • Thurs 23rd June (evening): We have an early morning climb the next day so we ask climbers to meet us in Killarney to stay in Neptune Hostel and enjoy a Mozambique style coconut curry as they meet all the climbers taking part.
  • Fri 24th June: Rise early and travel to Cronin’s yard to climb Carrauntoohil. Once completed, travel to the Wild Atlantic Hostel at Delphi Resort, Co. Mayo.
  • Sat 25th June: Rise early and take a short drive to climb Mweelrea. Once completed, travel to Rostrevor, Co. Down for a night of glamping and banter around a campfire in East Coast Adventure. 
  • Sun 26th June: An early rise to drive to Newcastle and climb Slieve Donard first. Once completed, travel to Co. Wicklow to climb the last mountain, Lugnaquilla.

The challenge finishes with a celebratory party after the last climb in the Glenmalure Lodge, Co. Wicklow.

Anyone! 

We ask you for join this challenge with a team because you can fundraise together and travel in one car for the weekend. 

Join with friends, family, neighbours, colleagues or even a group of aspiring adventurers from your local club!

We ask for a maximum of five people per team (to fit into one car).

IMPORTANT! Each team must nominate a driver. Drivers cannot climb for the health and safety of all the team when driving long distances between each climb.

Climbers must be in good health, have appropriate hiking gear and have a reasonable fitness level. While prior hill walking or hiking experience is not essential, training must undertaken in preparation for the event.

Do this challenge and fundraise to support SERVE’s work with it’s overseas partners to support educational, entrepreneurship and skills training programmes for women and young people in Southern Africa and Asia, so that they can obtain decent employment and work opportunities and live a dignified life. 

Registration fee:

Team Cost: €750 / £650 =  (€150 /£130 per person)

Your registration fee includes:

  • 3 nights Bed & Breakfast
  • Qualified and highly experienced mountain guides for each mountain
  • Refreshments and hot beverages before/after each climb
  • A celebratory party with finger food after the last climb in the Glenmalure Lodge, Co. Wicklow
  • A fairtrade SERVE t-shirt and a SERVE stainless steel reusable water bottle
  • SERVE 4 peaks challenge pack – everything you need to know to get you 4peaks-ready!

Fundraising target: 

The fundraising target is €2500 / £2000 per team (Teams of 5).

This fundraising target goes directly towards SERVE’s work.

The SERVE team is here to help you reach your target by providing support and advice. We will provide you with an online fundraising page, sponsorship cards, t-shirts and many other resources.

To Register:

  • Scroll down and fill in the form below
  • You will be asked to register your Team Name & input your details on the form
  • The SERVE team will be in contact with you to confirm details and check your team details, or if you require help forming a team and then will instruct you on how to pay the registration fee.
  1. What’s it all about? The 4 Peaks Challenge is a great way to spend a fun weekend outdoors with your friends or colleagues while raising much needed funds for SERVE.
  2. Can anyone participate? All participants must be in good health and have a reasonable fitness level. The nominated driver must have a valid drivers licence and car insurance.
  3. What do I need to bring?
    • Heavy fleece/wind stopper
    • Hat and gloves
    • Waterproof jacket
    • Waterproof
    • trousers
    • Platypus/water bottle (3L)
    • Spare dry base layers
    • Walking trousers
    • Walking boots
    • Sunglasses/sun protection
    • Dry sack (20/30L)
    • Waterproof bag cover
    • Energy bars/snacks
    • Casual wear for evening
    • Wash kit & trek towel
    • Sleeping bag and travel pillow

Sign up Below






Do you have any more questions?



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Solidarity with Ukraine

February 28, 2022 in /by

Solidarity with Ukraine

Irish Charity SERVE like so many other citizens and groups are deeply perplexed by the unfolding tragedy being inflicted on the Ukrainian population. Donate to support SERVE’s partners, the Redemptorists in Ukraine who have opened their houses and churches as sanctuaries for displaced families.



Donate to the Appeal


Donate to support SERVE’s partners, the Redemptorists in the Ukraine who have opened their houses and churches as sanctuaries for displaced families.

SERVE like so many other citizens and groups are deeply perplexed by the unfolding tragedy being inflicted on the Ukrainian population as Ukraine courageously defends itself from an inexplicable war unleashed by Russia.

SERVE’s partners, the Redemptorists are immersed in local communities in Ukraine and have opened their houses and churches as sanctuaries for displaced families crippled with fear and anxiety.

Present in Tschernihiv in the north of Ukraine and Berdyansk, in the east of Ukraine, and Lviv as well in several locations close the Polish border, the Redemptorists, are offering shelter, food, and medical support. 

At border points with Poland, Redemptorists in Ukraine and parishioners are offering nourishment both physical and spiritual as families seek refuge in neighbouring countries.

The Redemptorists in Poland have established a humanitarian corridor to help deliver emergency supplies and funds. The Redemptorist Provincial in Poland is playing a leadership role in a coordinated approach to welcoming Ukrainian families as they flee the war, helping them towards shelter, food, and integrated support. In Slovakia, the Redemptorists have made their monastery in Kostlna available to host fleeing families who will cross from Ukraine to Slovakia.

Update 18th May

Fr. Andriy Rak, C.Ss.R., Provincial superior of the Lviv Province, updates the situation in Ukraine, which is suffering from the ongoing Russian aggression. He also says a thank you to all confreres and people of goodwill who responded with humanitarian help and continue to stay united to advance the peace.

Please get in touch with us for any queries or to support our Appeal info@serve.ie



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Update 17th April

Our partners, the Redemptorists in Ukraine have received the humanitarian aid and the generators.

SERVE supported the Redemptorists congregration with humanitarian aid on its way to Ukraine


Redemptorist humanitarian aid on its way to Ukraine with support from SERVE


Generator for Redemptorist children and family emergency programme arrive in Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine from Ireland


Generator for Redemptorist children and family emergency programme arrive in Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine from Ireland



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Update 25th March

SERVE has received over €60,000 in donations so far to support our partners, the Redemptorsits in Ukraine. 

Eleven generators were purchased in Poland and distributed to nine different locations in Ukraine to support centres hosting and caring for fragile families.

On Saturday March 26th, a large generator purchased in Ireland will be driven by members of the Gardai to Slovakia, and then transported to Ivano- Frankivsk in Ukraine to the Redemptorist centre now caring for vulnerable, who with their carers had to flee Khakiv. 

This centre has a very industrious bakery and kitchen preparing meals for elderly people and others who are unable to flee their homes.



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Update 21st March

Redemptorists_Volunteers_SERVE_IvanoFrankivsk_19thMarch
Redemptorist community & volunteers in Ivano Frankivsk delivering bread baked in monastery kitchen to deliver to elderly & fragile in their homes. (Photo on 19th March 2022)

SERVE has received over €31,000 in donations so far to support our partners, the Redemptorsits in Ukraine. We share the nine different levels at which we’re working together with them.

1. Shelter for fleeing families

In Ukraine, the Redemptorists are present at ten location including close to the Russian and Belarus border, and close to Moldova border.

In each of these locations the Redemptorists have opened their houses, halls and churches as sanctuaries and shelter for fragile and fleeing families. SERVE is working with the Redemptorists to resource and deliver food, medicine, hygiene items, and essential supplies.

2. Ukrainian Border Solidarity

In the border region of Novojavoriosk about 25km from the Polish borders, the Redemptorists are delivering food, blankets, water to the 30km tailback of vehicles trying to travel into Poland, and where families wait for days before being able to pass. They have opened Care Centres and Halls to offer wrap-around services to fleeing families. SERVE has helped the Redemptorists to support people who are fleeing towards the West of Ukraine to find accommodation in public buildings by establishing a camp for fleeing families.

3. Food and Orphan Support

In Ivano-Frankivsk the Redemptorists have created a welcoming space for over eighty orphan children and their carers who have fled the besieged city of Kharkiv. The monastery kitchen is preparing meals and high energy biscuits for elderly and disabled people who cannot leave their flats and homes. They are baking fresh bread daily and sharing the bread with fleeing families gathered in halls and public building. SERVE has procured a large generator to help support the children and families at this centre.

4. Besieged City Solidarity

In Chernihiv the Redemptorists like most other citizens are stranded for large parts of the day in basements as their city and local communities are bombarded. When possible, food and reassuring supports are offered to vulnerable people who cannot move from their basements.

5. Medical Aid

The Redemptorists have delivered over 50 ton of medical supplies to five different hospitals in different regions of the Ukraine

6. Polish Border Solidarity

In Poland Redemptorists are working at six different border points to support refugees as they flee Ukraine, as well as connecting refugees to safe accommodation.

7. Slovakia Border Solidarity

In Slovakia, the Redemptorists have opened four centres to welcome and host refugees fleeing Ukraine.

8. Reliable Corridors

The Redemptorists have established a warehouse resource facility and have successfully transported in convoy- food, medicines, generators, blankets etc., specialised medical equipment, hygiene kits into Ukraine.

9.1 Limerick, Ireland

The Redemptorists are members of the forum established by the City Council to coordinate the response to the arrival of refugees from Ukraine in Limerick. The Redemptorist Perpetual Help Fund has allocated funding to Doras and Simon in Limerick to help support newly arriving refugees from Ukraine.  Further funding is now being allocated to support the Simon food bank facility.

9.2 Cork, Ireland

The Redemptorists and SERVE are networked into the humanitarian organisations channelling humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and also working to facilitate the integration of Ukrainian refugees into life in Cork.



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A glimpse into Redemptorist bakery in Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine where a team of volunteers bake & distribute high energy biscuits to the most vulnerable & isolated including 70 orphaned children. (Photo on 15th March 2022)


Redemptorist community & volunteers in Ivano Frankivsk delivering bread baked in monastery kitchen to deliver to elderly & fragile in their homes. (Photo on 19th March 2022)

Update 11th March 2022

SERVE has received over €28,000 in donations so far for the Ukraine Appeal. We cannot thank you enough.

SERVE is working with the Redemptorists to channel the humanitarian effort. On Tuesday March 8th, five large vans left from Cork with emergency humanitarian supplies. This special expression of solidarity involved an alliance of Cork Penny Dinners, Cork Missing Persons Search and Recovery, SERVE, Scala, and Cork Life Centre working together to deliver aid.

The destination initially is Lezajsk, Poland which is close to the Ukraine border, and about 2.3 hours from Lviv. A humanitarian corridor is functioning where humanitarian aid is being delivered from Lezajsk Poland to Brzuchaovice in Lviv and then being distributed to Chernigiv in the north, Berdyans’k in the East, Kamianex’Pedil’skyj in the south, and Hinizdychiv and Novojaravoriosk in the West, Ivano-Frankivs’k and Ternopil

The team of five vans have arrived.

In Novojavoriosk, which is close to the Polish border, the Redemptorists are working with other civil society groups to open hall, churches, homes, public buildings and schools to accommodate the huge influx of families expected to arrive, as Ukrainians flee from their homes towards the West of Ukraine. Roman Lahish a Urkrainian Redemptorist is preparing an emergency camp to accommodate fleeing families.

The delivery of humanitarian supplies form Cork includes many tents donated by the generous people of Cork. We hope that they will be in Novojavoriosk on Saturday, March 12th.

Next week, SERVE is planning the shipment of a forty-foot container to Poland via the Netherlands which will arrive close to the Ukrainian border, via ship and train.

SERVE_Ukraine_Donations
SERVE chairperson Gerry O'Connor (2nd from right) packing supplies for Ukraine with the Scala family in Cork.

This container will include specialised medical equipment and kits, generators, chainsaws and terminal blankets. The intended destination includes sanctuaries where families are being accommodated, and hospitals and health centres.

Representatives of SERVE and the Redemptorists are also working with other agencies in developing pathways for Ukrainian families to find refuge in Ireland.

Your ongoing support of SERVE, with your generous donations are deeply appreciated and will be channelled carefully and strategically to support fragile families, who are experiencing painful upheaval in a time of unprecedented danger and fear.



Donate

Update 8th March 2022

SERVE has received additional €2372 in donations from the Irish people since our last update.

Watch the message from Fr. Andriy Rak C.Ss.R., Provincial Superior of the Lviv Province. He explains, “When we can, – we help refugees with transportation to safe places. We try to give them temporary shelter in our monasteries.”

Please donate what you can to support the efforts of our partners, the Redemptorists in Ukraine.



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SERVE_Ukraine_Donations
SERVE chairperson Gerry O'Connor (2nd from right) packing supplies for Ukraine with the Scala family in Cork.

Update 3rd March 2022

SERVE has received €1015 in donations so far from the Irish people to support the humanitarian efforts delivered by our partners, the Redemptorists in Ukraine. Please donate what you can to support the efforts.



Donate

Novojavoriosk_SERVE_Redmptorists_Ukraine Donate to SERVE Ukraine Appeal Irish charity
Photo of a camp Novojavoriosk about 25km from the Polish border. Photo sent by our partners, the Redemptorists who are delivering humanitarian aid.

Fundraising Campaigns

February 25, 2022 in /by

Raise money for a good cause

Fundraise with

SERVE

Every donation goes directly to support our programmes with people living in vulnerable communities across the globe.



Join us today

How You Can Get Involved

You can join one of our fundraiser events or organise your own to support our work. Every donation goes directly to support our programmes with people living in vulnerable communities across the globe. Join in to show your solidarity.

Irish Life Dublin Marathon banner

Fundraising


Run the Dublin Marathon for SERVE

Join Team SERVE in the Dublin Marathon 2025! Challenge yourself to run 42.195 km on October 26th while fundraising to support SERVE’s global development programmes. With Realbuzz perks like guaranteed entry, expert training plans, and a finisher’s pack, you’ll make every step count for solidarity and change. Sign up now and be part of something bigger!


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Other Ways to Help



SHOP

Gifts For Anytime

Support your fundraising efforts by encouraging your friends, family and community to purchase from a selection of SERVE Ethical Gifts. These gifts make special occasions even more unique. They directly support the communities we work with.



BROWSE SHOP



SOLIDARITY

Make It Regular

Did you know regular giving to SERVE goes a long way in supporting our programmes? Your fundraiser could bring attention to regular giving options among your family, friends and colleagues. 



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Subscribe today for free and stay up to date with our latest news and events.





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Organise your own SERVE Fundraiser

February 25, 2022 in /by
HostYourOwnFundraiserForSERVE

Organise your own fundraiser

Join SERVE’s community of fundraisers today to show your solidarity in action. All donations go directly into SERVE’s work with our partners across the globe.

Let your creativity guide you and put the fun into fundraiser. Get your family, friends, organisation and even customers involved. Your donations will go a long way in improving people’s lives.

You can host a fundraiser online, a meet up in person – you choose what works best for you and your community. We’re always available to help you along the way with a fundraiser toolkit and anything else that you need to host a successful fundrasier.

Donate to SERVE Irish charity Volunteers

Fundraising Tips


Personal

Share your personalised story of solidarity to advocate for the people SERVE works with.


Facts

Stick to facts. We're always available to share details of our programmes with you to support your fundraising efforts.


Share off and online

Make posters and put them up on community noticeboards in your area and also share it online to promote your fundraiser. Make an online donation page (we can help you with this).

Cork Global Goals Youth Village

Fundraising Ideas


Pub Quiz

Get cozy in your local pub. Draw up trivia questions. Charge a ticket. Organise a raffle. You're ready to go.


Challenge: Walk/Run/Hike/Skydive

A good challenge amplifies the challenges of the people our partners work with. Pick your challenge, get a team together and fundraise together.


Coffee-morning

Organise warm cups of coffee and tea with home-made scones and cakes in your office, community centre or even your home. Share stories with facts of the people our partners work with to host a successful coffee-morning.

Check the SERVE Fundraising Toolkit



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Flip Flop Appeal 2022

February 24, 2022 in /by

SERVE Flip Flop Appeal 2022

During the month of May, join in to help empower women and young people gain the skills and training to live a dignified life.



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About Flip Flop Appeal 2022 ​

SERVE’s commitment to fundraise in person for our partners who work closely with women and young people was impacted by COVID-19 public health restrictions.

Our partners in Africa and Asia have kept working throughout the pandemic, and we have supported them with emergency grants and development project grants over the last two years, with funds raised by supporters and from institutional donors. 

We invite you to join the Flip Flop Appeal 2022 with your friends, colleagues and customers to spread the story of the flip-flop pin, now that most restrictions have been lifted.



Donate

Impact of Flip Flop Appeal 2022

This year’s Flip Flop Appeal will support SERVE’s work with it’s partners to overcome the huge gap of employment opportunities for women and young people in Asia and Africa. 

SERVE is involved with partners who develop programmes that offer skills training, income generating opportunities, entrepreneurship training, employment opportunities, training on rights and responsibilities and child care facilities for parents who are attending training programmes.

These initiatives ensure that women and young people are

  • empowered,
  • have financial independence,
  • have a safe and decent work life,
  • equipped with other life skills to support personal development,
  • contribute to gender equality,
  • smashing stereotypes and
  • contribute towards equity,

When you join the Flip Flop Appeal you instantly become a Global Citizen who is fundraising to support SERVE and its partners deliver expert and sustainable solutions for local problems.



Donate to Flip Flop Appeal



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Few Photos from Flip Flop Appeal 2022 Fundraisers



Donate to Flip Flop Appeal



Paula Quigley @ Coal Quay Farmers Market, Cork


Azul Martinez Fundraising at the Coal Quay Farmers Market, Cork


Niall Cleary of Graffiti Theatre, Cork supports Flip Flop Appeal 2022


Cork Salsa Cubana support Flop Flop Appeal 2022


Samantha Fiorelli founder of Cork Salsa Cubana supports Flop Flop Appeal 2022


Many students at Cork Salsa Cubana support Flip flop Appeal


Suadela Bellydance Cork support Flip Flop Appeal 2022


Suadela Bellydance Cork support Flip Flop Appeal 2022


Students of Suadela Bellydance Cork support Flip Flop Appeal 2022


Robin Damaschke @ Mahon Pint Shopping Centre, Cork


Robin at Esker, Galway - churchgate collection


Sinead Mulry & Dan Lynch at Blackrock Village Farmers Market, Cork

Flip Flop Appeal 2022 Fundraisers



Donate to Flip Flop Appeal

All of May, Natural Foods Bakery, Blackrock, Cork


All of May, Café Temple, Galway


All of May, The Urban Co-op, Limerick


May 3rd & 9th, Salsa Cubana Cork


May 7th, Coal Quay Farmer's Market, Cork


May 12th, Suadela Bellydance, Cork


May 14th, Mahon Shopping Centre, Cork


May 15th & 22nd, Blackrock Village Farmer's Market, Cork


May 15th, Esker Monastery, Galway


May 19th, Clonard Monastery, Belfast


May 25th, Wild Ones Salon, Cork


May 28th, Yoga Collective, Cork

History of Flip Flop Appeal

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.



Read More About Good Shepherd sisters

SERVE Flip FlopAppeal 2022 Irish Charity

Read More about Our Work

“We’re a global community!”

February 17, 2022 in , , /by

World Day of Social Justice '22

World Day of Social Justice 2022 Ireland Irish Charity SERVE Cork

"We're a global community!" - John McGeady, SERVE alumni

20th February is World Day of Social Justice. The theme for World Day of Social Justice 2022 is Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment.

We did a poll last year to find out how people define social justice and how we can support the rights of people around us. Today is a good day to revisit few of the remarkable responses.

Social justice is about equity.

Social justice is about combatting discrimination and inequalities in the world.

I can support the rights of the people around me by educating myself on citizenship and contribute to others positively.

Contribute to Equity

The UN explains, “More than 60 per cent of the world’s employed population, that is 2 billion women, men and youth, earn their livelihoods in the informal economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the vulnerability of workers in the informal economy. Informal workers, as they often lack any form of social protection or employment related benefits, are twice as likely to be poor compared to formal workers. Most people enter the informal economy not by choice, but due to lack of opportunities in the formal economy.”

SERVE works closely with Young Africa in Zimbabwe and Mozambique to help their students transition to the formal economy. The ongoing Skills for Youth Resilience Programme (SYRP) helps young people gain access to training programmes that include formal job placements.

We are also assisting Young Africa Zimbabwe in the establishment of Entrepreneurship Hubs to improve outcomes for those interested in self-employment and to push as much as possible for the formalisation of businesses.

Students learn about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace, as well as job opportunities with established and registered businesses, during their training. These steps actively help marginalised young people in bridging the gap to formal employment.

On World Day of Social Justice, you can contribute to equity with the purchase of our SERVE’d Up Cookbook. Proceeds from sales will go towards helping SERVE continue its work on the SYRP. 

Order your copy of SERVE'd Up Cookbook



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Irish Charity SERVE shares the work completed in 2021.


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In 2021, Irish charity SERVE worked with 11 partners in 8 countries. In Ireland, we also launched a new volunteering programme and a SDG education programme for schools. Despite the pandemic, SERVE has received generous public donations to continue its work that contributes to the Global Goals.


Read More »

SERVE and The Centre for Sustainable Development Studies

February 16, 2022 in /by

SERVE's Development Work with The Centre for Sustainable Development Studies

Irish Charity SERVE works in Vietnam
SERVE Volunteers in CSDS

About Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS)

Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) was established in 2009 in Hanoi, Vietnam. CSDS is committed to youth and community development. SERVE has been working with CSDS since 2018.

Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) implement sustainable development programmes across Vietnam which empower youth, develop communities, and promote intercultural exchange through volunteerism, civic engagement, and active citizenship. CSDS’ activities contribute towards the achievement of the Global Goals.

CSDS also promote international volunteering and exchange, to support local communities and to contribute towards the personal development of both local and international volunteers. International volunteers teach English language classes, facilitate creative arts workshops, and deliver workshops around life skills and leadership.

CSDS have a close relationship with Irish Embassy in Hanoi, working together to promote the shared values of Vietnam and Ireland, to inspire youths to work towards achieving the Global Goals, and to provide opportunities for Vietnamese students to study in Ireland.

In 2020, in response to Covid-19, SERVE volunteers continued to support CSDS virtually, teaching English language classes to Vietnamese students.



Read More

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Irish Charity SERVE shares the work completed in 2021.


Irish charity SERVE shares the work its done in 2021

In 2021, Irish charity SERVE worked with 11 partners in 8 countries. In Ireland, we also launched a new volunteering programme and a SDG education programme for schools. Despite the pandemic, SERVE has received generous public donations to continue its work that contributes to the Global Goals.


Read More »

Donate to support youth development in Vietnam



Set up a Regular Donation to SERVE

SERVE and Sumanahalli

February 15, 2022 in /by

SERVE's Development Work with Sumanahalli

SERVE works with Sumanahalli in India
SERVE Volunteers at Sumanahalli

About Sumanahalli

Sumanahalli is a leprosy and HIV rehabilitation centre in Bangalore. SERVE has worked Sumanahalli since 2005.

The Sumanahalli centre was established in 1978 and its initial objective was to establish an organisation that would help treat and rehabilitate those suffering with leprosy in and around Bangalore.  Sumanahalli is working in a number of areas in Bangalore and provides MDT drugs free of cost to leprosy sufferers.  Sumanahalli also provides education, vocational training and life-skills training to leprosy patients who have been excluded from mainstream society.  Sumanahalli also works closely with communities to tackle stigma and ignorance around the issue of leprosy. 

Sumanahalli centre works to fully integrate those who have been affected with leprosy into mainstream society through treatment, education and employment.

In order to develop employment prospects they also actively educate and engage in skills training. Sumanahalli has established three manufacturing units which produce candles, leather goods and garments which are sold overseas.

Sumanahalli also provides services for those with HIV by providing both ART treatment/rehabilitation and life-skills training for people under its care.



Read More

Related Articles

Latest updates, reports and volunteers stories

Irish Charity SERVE shares the work completed in 2021.


Irish charity SERVE shares the work its done in 2021

In 2021, Irish charity SERVE worked with 11 partners in 8 countries. In Ireland, we also launched a new volunteering programme and a SDG education programme for schools. Despite the pandemic, SERVE has received generous public donations to continue its work that contributes to the Global Goals.


Read More »

Donate to support people living with leprosy



Set up a Regular Donation to SERVE

SERVE and Association of People with Disability

February 15, 2022 in /by

SERVE's Development Work with Association of People with Disability

APD COVID Awareness_SERVE_India
APD's outreach rogramme during COVID funded by SERVE

About Association of People with Disability

Association of People with Disability  (APD) celebrated its 60th birthday in 2019. Through these years, APD has promoted innovation and positively impacted people living with disabilities in Bangalore, India. SERVE and APD have worked together since 2005 through advocacy, funding various projects and designing volunteering programmes over the years.

SERVE’s volunteer programme is a great support to APD, India.

One example is from 2019 when eight Irish volunteers helped play a vital role with APD in promoting people with disability (PWD) through special services. One of the SERVE volunteers Elaine Houlihan, a qualified physiotherapist used her skills to work with the physiotherapy department at APD, and her special objective was to work in hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is a treatment that involves the use of water for pain relief. The physio department, at the time, lacked specialist knowledge in this area. Elaine used her skills and knowledge in hydrotherapy to run classes for children with cerebral palsy and facilitated specialist training for the newly formed hydrotherapy team. Elaine’s work was highly regarded in APD, and she found the whole experience very beneficial and explains,

‘Seeing the impact the hydrotherapy had on the children was heart-warming. I really started to notice it when parents said it to me about the improvements they had seen in their children after only one week of sessions’ 

– Elaine Houlihan (SERVE Volunteer at APD)

Other services available at APD in Bangalore include:

  • A school for children living with mild to severe physical disability
  • A programme for children living with mild to severe learning disabilities
  • A vocational training unit – including IT, Physiotherapy, orthotics, sewing and career guidance
  • A treatment and training centre for patients with Spinal Cord Injuries – including disability management, training of family members & counselling
  • A large horticulture programme that employs people with disabilities



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Origin story

Association of People with Disability

To understand APD and how it all started, we must look into the life journey of Ms. N.S Hema (1938-2016). Ms. Hema was born on October 4th 1938, in Nuggehalli village in India. Diagnosed with polio at age 5, Ms. Hema’s hands and feet were severely affected. Her parents sought medical help across present-day Bengaluru, Chennai & Mumbai. Ms. Hema was fortunate to have mindful and understanding parents who didn’t adhere to the stigma mindset.

The roots of APD can be traced back to the meetings that she used to organise, where people living with disabilities would share their experiences, talk about their hopes and problems and, more than anything else, enjoy their rare social outing. After eight months of meeting, despite the divergent aims among its members, the formal inauguration of APD took place in the form of a training centre on 14th September 1959. (Source www.giveindia.org/blog)





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December 14, 2021

every gift matters

Donate to

SERVE

Financial support is the best way you can help SERVE work in solidarity with our overseas partners.



Donate now

SERVE and Tsholofelo

February 15, 2022 in /by

SERVE's Development Work with Tsholofelo

Irish Charity SERVE's development work South Africa with Tsholofelo
Dressmaking skills training class at Freedom Park

About Tsholofelo

Tsholofelo has a long history of working with people in squatter camps in Rustenburg in the areas of early and primary education, health care, TVET and advocates extensively on behalf of communities with the local government. SERVE have partnered with Tsholofelo since 2005.

Tsholofelo has strong relationships with local government departments and has established and successfully handed over a number of health, education and TVET interventions over the past 20 years. 

Tsholofelo is focused on:

(1) establishing early education within squatter camps;

(2) establishing Foundation Level education in camps where there are no education resources;

(3) developing and handing over health clinics to local management; and

(4) providing TVET & Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) training to people with no education or skills background.



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Irish Charity SERVE shares the work completed in 2021.


Irish charity SERVE shares the work its done in 2021

In 2021, Irish charity SERVE worked with 11 partners in 8 countries. In Ireland, we also launched a new volunteering programme and a SDG education programme for schools. Despite the pandemic, SERVE has received generous public donations to continue its work that contributes to the Global Goals.


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