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Following a recent visit to GOAL street children's programmes in
Calcutta, Kilkenny hurling star DJ Carey made an impassioned plea
to the Irish public, to "...come to the assistance of some of the
poorest children on earth".
DJ was profoundly moved by the plight of the children he encountered
in the back streets of Calcutta. " I have never seen such total
poverty and neglect in my life" he says.
"I cannot find the words to describe the squalid and filthy conditions
in which these young kids live. They have either been abandoned
by their parents or else have run away from home and take their
chances on the streets. What really shocked me was the huge numbers
involved".
"The difference that GOAL is making to the lives of the 8,500 children
in their various projects is incredible," he says.
"The difference between the terrible conditions that they came
from on the streets and those on offer in the centres couldn't be
greater. They are literally being rescued from lives of abuse and
squalor and being given a chance at life".
It didn't take the hurling star long to discover that sport is
a great means of bringing people together and everywhere he went
he gave impromptu demonstrations of his skills.
Of course none of the children had ever heard of hurling before
but even so they were thrilled with DJ's incredible talents and
many of them were keen to try their hands at the ancient game of
the Celts. Before long they had devised a new game which is a mixture
of hurling and cricket.
Carey says that he was amazed at the commitment of the staff on
the various programmes and the value for money that they achieve.
"So much can be done by these committed and dedicated people"
he said "and the good news is that it is not expensive. For just
a few euro they can give a child who has nothing another chance".
"Perhaps the biggest factor in the success of the operation is
the eagerness of the children themselves. I have never seen such
a desire to learn in all my life!"
Calling on the Irish sporting fraternity to row in behind GOAL
to expand their operations in Calcutta, DJ said the main message
that he wanted to get across was that GOAL is making a huge difference
to the lives of these most vulnerable of children but there were
many thousands more in desperate need.
It is very difficult to explain the effect of witnessing a twelve-year-old
former prostitute who is now learning the three rs and can now look
forward to a meaningful life. Wonderful just isn't strong enough.
"I've been aware of GOAL for many years, but this is the first
time I have seen them in action and I didn't realise until I got
to Calcutta just how important it is that we offer them are full
support.
"I believe the Irish people, in particular the sporting fraternity,
those who derive so much pleasure from sport, should offer GOAL
every assistance they possibly can in their work. I appeal to anyone
that can spare a few euro to phone 353 1 -2809779 and make a credit
card donation".
Main picture shows DJ with Lisa O'Shea and some of the children
from one of the the GOAL programmes in Calcutta
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