Portlaoise College launches latest Gambia project
The Portlaoise College group is preparing for a trip to The Gambia in February 2027. Photo: Portlaoise College
PORTLAOISE College has announced the launch of its latest Gambia project, continuing an initiative that has been part of the school community since 2012.
The school has sent a team to The Gambia every two years since then, with the exception of 2022 when the trip was postponed due to the Covid pandemic and took place a year later.
There was strong interest among students in joining this year’s project, with more than 60 applicants for a place on the team.
The school is asking families, friends and the wider local community to support students in their fundraising efforts over the coming months, with a range of events planned as the group prepares for a trip to The Gambia in February 2027.
The project focuses on supporting a nursery school in Brikama, where previous groups have contributed to developments including the installation of electricity, the construction of toilet facilities and the ongoing upkeep of the school. Fundraising efforts also extend to a local medical centre, a maternity hospital and a rural secondary school in the region.
Students selected for this year’s team will spend the coming months organising and leading fundraising activities to support these projects. As part of their visit, they will also work with teachers and pupils in the Brikama nursery school, gaining insight into daily school life in the community.
The student team for this year includes Darragh Lee, Fionnán Ging, Tiernan Kelly, Brian Murphy, Zack Carlin, Grace Daly, Hannah Scully, Amber Dixon, Eimear Lynch, Aoife Hill, Aisling Lambe, Pippa Conroy, Sarah Kate Dunne, Gabija Olechnaviciute, Melody Jane Duncan and Holly Carroll.
They will be accompanied by teachers Natasha Barrett, Karen O’Grady, Rory Maher and John Fitzpatrick, who will guide the group through the preparation process and oversee the trip.
School principal Noel Daly, who has previously taken part in the project in 2016, said it remains an important part of the school’s ethos.
He said: “This project gives students a chance to engage with communities in a meaningful way, while also recognising the value of sustained support over time. The work in Brikama has developed steadily and that continuity is something we are proud of.”
Ms Horan, who has participated in every project since it began and is now stepping back from the role, said the experience has been significant for both students and staff.
She said: “It has been a privilege to be involved since the beginning. Each group of students brings its own energy but the focus has always been on respect, learning and contributing in a practical way. I am confident the project will continue to grow in the years ahead.”
