Offaly Express, 28th April 2007

CLARA man Ronan Scully, who has been working with aid agency GOAL for many years has recently returned from a trip to Uganda. Here he gives Express readers a brief over view of the work that GOAL has been doing there.

"GOAL'S overall mission is to work towards ensuring that people and children have access to the fundamental rights of life such as shelter, food, water and sanitation, healthcare and education. While the housing support programme in Uganda is centred on shelter it incorporates elements of water, sanitation and education by providing not just a house but also latrines, rainwater harvesting systems, agro forestry, household goods and training programmes.

GOAL constructs a mix of standard four rooms, three rooms, two rooms and single room housing units depending on the specific requirements of each beneficiary household. It costs EUR3,500 to build a four room house and EUR700 to build a single room house. I am glad to say that there is no housing slowdown for GOAL in Uganda thanks to the many Irish donors willing to sponsor the building of these houses. Also, to date GOAL has distributed over 10,000 tree seedlings in the area, as well as providing training to young people in construction and agro forestry so they can get full time employment in the future.

The work that GOAL does in Uganda, especially in vast areas of Masaka may seem like a drop in the ocean, but many drops make an ocean and GOAL will continue to do what we can to help the poor.

This work, and that of GOAL in 11 different countries across the Developing World including famine prone Ethiopia and war torn Darfur in Sudan and the Congo, could not continue with out the ongoing support of the Irish Public. On behalf of my colleagues in GOAL and the people and children that we help I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for your generosity and support, not just over the past year but throughout GOAL'S many years of existence.

If you would like to help GOAL with its work you can make a credit or laser card donation by phoning (091) 587901 or (01) 2809779 or simply send whatever you can afford to GOAL, Unit 13, Enterprise Centre, Westside, Galway. Because the needs of the poor are ongoing, the ideal way of supporting GOAL is via a monthly standing order from your bank. For people who have nothing a little can mean an awful lot. Please also see details on www.goal.ie to take part in many fundraising events for GOAL especially the GOAL Miles on Christmas Day with GOAL Miles in Tullamore and also GOAL'S Christmas Gift campaign and GOAL Calendar sale.