Nobber footballers set for volunteering mission in Nepal

Three Nobber GFC footballers, including Meath star Brian Farrell, are to travel to Nepal in January to volunteer for three weeks with the EIL Intercultural Learning Volunteer Abroad organisation. Andrew O'Brien and brothers Alan and Brian Farrell are organising a race night in Farrell's Dee Local in the village on Saturday 26th November at 9pm. EIL Intercultural Learning is an Irish not-for-profit organisation which provides intercultural learning opportunities through study or volunteering abroad as well as other cultural immersion activities for about 2,000 people each year. Alan contacted EIL with the idea of volunteering abroad. From there, they were each interviewed for selection to volunteer in the work in Nepal. Alan, Brian and Andrew have been preparing for the project since early summer. The type of volunteering work the three men will be involved in is in the areas of teaching, welfare and conservation. Teaching duties will include teaching basic English to pupils in schools and in orphanages. Their work in an orphanage will cover, as well as teaching English, helping in the areas of nutrition, sanitation, games and creative activities. Conservation work that EIL Intercultural Learning focuses on aims to tackle the problem of deforestation which has become a serious problem in Nepal due to the overuse of wood for fuel. Several small, village-based nurseries have been set up to combat this. The Nobber trio will be working 50-60 hours a week as well as undertaking extra-curricular activities with the children at the schools and orphanages. Brian, who has been a star with the Meath senior GAA team for a number of years, said: "Our trip has been tailor-made to suit. We will be doing four to five days' orientation in Kathmandu and then we will be moving to our village for two-and-a-half weeks" where they will commence volunteering work. While staying in the village, they will reside with host families. The primary school in a rural village is located six hours away from the capital in a rural area in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and in the shadow of Mount Everest. The area they'll be working in is about 4,000 metres above sea level. Living conditions in the areas where the EIL organisation operates can be very basic, with some places not having running water or electricity. They will head out to Nepal on 6th January and commence volunteering work on 9th January for around a month. Alan said the EIL organisation was delighted to accept them as volunteers, taking into account that each man plays Gaelic football with Nobber GFC and therefore would be fit and physically trained for the work that's planned. Alan added: "It will be a great opportunity to get a bit of high-altitude pre-season training!" They could also, if they get the opportunity, teach Gaelic football skills to the children of the school and orphanage. Any support given towards the race night would be very much appreciated by the three volunteers. Horses can be bought and races can be sponsored in Dee Local and in shops in Nobber or by phoning Alan Farrell on (087) 762 8530.