Killarney locals volunteer in Nepal

A KILLARNEY woman has described the two weeks she spent volunteering in Nepal as one of the most “rewarding and important” experiences of her life.

Holly de Burgh along with Seamus Coffey and Tadhg Healy from Killarney were joined by Jason Moore and Rory Dalton from West Limerick in early December of last year.

Describing her trip, Holly said that they travelled to the city of Biratnagar in the East of Nepal where they worked with a group of people known as the Musahar.

The Musahar are one of the most impoverished people in Nepal with many people living “hand to mouth with limited access to medical care, education and employment.”

Holly and the rest of the group spent time in two villages during their two weeks there; they helped to build secure doors for a number of homes along with benches and tables for the small school that they helped to refurbish there.

“We also provided books and stationary for the students in the school and teaching supplies for the volunteer teacher,” said Holly.

“To see what could be accomplished in such a short space of time was inspiring to me and to be part of the happiness these communities felt was incredible,” she continued.

Now that they are back in Ireland, Holly said she and the rest of the volunteers are now determined to raise awareness of these people and the problems they are facing.

They will be holding a fundraising event in the Curious Cat café in Killarney on March 1 at 7pm; here they will be displaying all the photographs taken during the trip which is a great chance for locals to learn more about the cause.

Entry will be €10 which will include a complimentary glass of wine along with some food.

Seamus Coffey (Killarney), Jason Moore (West Limerick), Holly de Burgh (Killarney), Rory Dalton (West Limerick) and Tadgh Healy (Killarney), all of whom volunteered in Nepal for two weeks in December.