Kells students meet Minister for Foreign Affairs

Kells Community School"s Zambia Immersion Programme members met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, in the Dail recently. Minister Martin was invited to a questions-and-answers session with the group about Ireland"s relationship with developing countries. The group was introduced to the Minister by local TDs, Johnny Brady and Damien English. During the informative session, Minister Martin answered the group"s questions and he thanked them for all their hard work and effort in helping the community of Mazabuka in Zambia. The group also got a tour of Leinster House. They sat in the viewing areas of the Dail and Seanad and had lunch in the restaurant, courtesy of Johnny Brady. The school"s Zambia Immersion Programme will see a group of 20 pupils, staff and parents travel to Mazabuka on 20th May. This will be the fourth trip made by students from St Ciaran"s to Mazabuka. The students travelling are from Kells, Virginia, Maghera, Athboy, Carlanstown and surrounding areas. The school"s Zambia Immersion Programme started in 2000 and, since then, they have provided solar-powered wells providing clean water for over 12,000 people, set up a food supplement programme to ensure that schoolchildren get at least one meal a day and refurbished computers for schools. They have provided 3,000 sports jerseys and sports equipment for schools and youth groups and supplied medical resources for a local hospital. This year"s goal is to raise enough funds to construct two orphanage buildings, which will cater for children who have been displaced.