Cullybackey’s superb Moldova donation

STAFF and pupils of Cullybackey High School have raised a staggering £11,258 of aid for a Christian charity’s sterling work in Moldova.

‘Vision of Good Hope’ is a Northern Ireland based charity which has provided and runs an orphanage and rehabilitation centre in that Eastern European country.

The charity was founded in 2002 to help the very needy population there and particularly the orphaned or abused children. The House of Hope now offers these little ones a loving secure home, education and skills, and above all, hope for the future.

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Staff and pupils in Cullybackey High took part in a summer mission trip to Moldova in July with ‘Vision of Good Hope’ and the demand for places was so great, 18 pupils and seven staff, that the group had to be split in two with each group going for a period of one week between July 4 and 18.

As part of the trip, they took part in many activities. In the morning, helping around the orphanage, which involved gardening and painting a play park, and some also helped the painting of rooms for a local poor family.

In the afternoons they went out into the community, visiting other orphanages, schools and the medical centre and they also gave out hampers to locals.

They also enjoyed the opportunity to take children out of the orphanage on outings including a boat trip and ice-skating and in the evenings they held a kids’ club with Bible stories, songs and crafts.

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To provide aid in Moldova, the school was involved in a number of fundraising activities up until July.These included a quiz sheet, sponsored abseil from the Europa hotel, pampered chef evening, fashion show, sponsored walk, coffee morning and generous donations.

Altogether they raised a staggering £11,258 of which £4,000 was handed over during the trip.

And last Tuesday, September 20, two workers from the House of Hope Marina, the missionary and Luda the cook visited the school and accepted the balance of £7200 at a school assembly.

The full amount raised went solely on the project with pupils and staff all paying their own travel expenses. and the money will go towards sponsoring a teacher at the orphanage, refurbishment of a room, new heating, help for the local community and general orphanage running expenses.

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The school has extended thanks everyone who supported their efforts and has pointed out that both the staff and pupils had a very worthwhile experience and will have many lifelong memories.

And they would encourage others in Cullybackey and the wider Ballymena borough to support the work of Vision of Good Hope by visiting their charity shops in Church Street and Larne Road. Ballymena.

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