Dublin to Achill PledgePage
In June 2007 we are, some might say rather foolishy, planning to walk the 240 miles from Dublin to Achill, via Galway and Croagh Patrick.
The walk is being done in aid of The City of Hope girl’s school in Lusaka Zambia, and over the next couple of months we will be raising as much money possible. Below, is a short bit of information about the school, which is included in our sponsor card. On this site you'll find details of how to sponsor us. Please do give whatever you can as it is a very good cause.
Zambia is one of many countries in Africa to be hard hit by the AIDS pandemic. It is estimated that 16% of the population are living with HIV.
An estimated 650,000 children have lost a parent to AIDS in Zambia, where 20% of adults suffer from the disease. The impact on children has been devastating. 40,000 children under age 15 are believed to be infected. One in six children between the ages of 15 and 24 are HIV-positive. Every year, tens of thousands of babies are born HIV-positive.
Many organizations in Zambia have been created to help children who are either living with HIV or have been orphaned by AIDS. One such project is the City of Hope, outside the capital, Lusaka.
The “City” was built as a compound by the Salesian Sisters. Through its efforts, it has raised hope for hundreds of girls and boys, many of whom are orphans and some of whom are living with HIV/AIDS. With funding from Christian aid organizations and other supporters, the centre is trying to offer young girls at risk of infection the possibility of a better future. The Sisters say they’re using professional training and Christian values in their effort to help girls develop a sense of dignity as they grow into women. There are 800 boys and girls at City of Hope; here, they are given the hope of living a normal life.
Sister Maria, one of the founders, says she would rather not think of the City of Hope as an orphanage, though in many ways it is in indeed just that. She says her goal is not to keep the children there forever but to help them get back into a normal family situation. She says it’s also a place where children can be educated and grow confident with the knowledge that the skills they learn here will help them make it on their own one day.
The walk is being done in aid of The City of Hope girl’s school in Lusaka Zambia, and over the next couple of months we will be raising as much money possible. Below, is a short bit of information about the school, which is included in our sponsor card. On this site you'll find details of how to sponsor us. Please do give whatever you can as it is a very good cause.
Zambia is one of many countries in Africa to be hard hit by the AIDS pandemic. It is estimated that 16% of the population are living with HIV.
An estimated 650,000 children have lost a parent to AIDS in Zambia, where 20% of adults suffer from the disease. The impact on children has been devastating. 40,000 children under age 15 are believed to be infected. One in six children between the ages of 15 and 24 are HIV-positive. Every year, tens of thousands of babies are born HIV-positive.
Many organizations in Zambia have been created to help children who are either living with HIV or have been orphaned by AIDS. One such project is the City of Hope, outside the capital, Lusaka.
The “City” was built as a compound by the Salesian Sisters. Through its efforts, it has raised hope for hundreds of girls and boys, many of whom are orphans and some of whom are living with HIV/AIDS. With funding from Christian aid organizations and other supporters, the centre is trying to offer young girls at risk of infection the possibility of a better future. The Sisters say they’re using professional training and Christian values in their effort to help girls develop a sense of dignity as they grow into women. There are 800 boys and girls at City of Hope; here, they are given the hope of living a normal life.
Sister Maria, one of the founders, says she would rather not think of the City of Hope as an orphanage, though in many ways it is in indeed just that. She says her goal is not to keep the children there forever but to help them get back into a normal family situation. She says it’s also a place where children can be educated and grow confident with the knowledge that the skills they learn here will help them make it on their own one day.