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Friends from Ireland was formally set up in April 2007 by John Byrne. In the past John has worked with the Hilary Hunter Kenya Fund, the ISPCC and with the charity “Working for the Children of Watamu”. He decided to set up this charity because of the tremendous interest shown by Irish project volunteers with whom he had worked on recent projects in Namibia and Kenya. John was the project co-ordinator for the Kenya projects and was responsible for the recruitment of volunteers, fundraising, sourcing of materials, flights, insurance and accommodation. The overwhelming help and support that John received from the volunteers and from contacts in Kenya, Namibia and Ireland , prompted him to set up this Irish Charity. His aim is to work with like-minded organisations to support community development in Africa.
The name “Friends From Ireland” is how the volunteers were referred to, in Swahili,  in Kenya, and we are proud to continue under that title. John believes that the reason we are so successful as a group is due to the fact that we make sure that funding raised in Ireland is utilised, to its maximum benefit, within the community the project is undertaken. “ We don’t just raise money, we go over and make sure it is spent wisely. We do this with the help of Community leaders who share our aim to support community development”. John hopes to continue to work with our friends in Kenya and Namibia and has plans for projects in both countries in the future.

NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON....

Projects are undertaken upon request from African Charities/Agencies. We then check out the particular requirements of that project, from a point of view of cost, fundraising, and the number of volunteers required. The project co-ordinator will then make the necessary enquiries with respect to materials, labour and accommodation. Accommodation on projects can vary from Hotels that support our work, to two person tents on dry river beds in the African bush. Project location dictates accommodation arrangements, but at all times health and security issues take precedence.

Groups are usually between 15 and 40, but this is subject to the requirements of each project. Volunteers are set a fundraising target, but this also depends on the project. Each volunteer pays a registration fee to start with, and then is given a date by which they must have funds collected. This is necessary, as once we give our promise that we will take on a project, we need to make sure we have the funds. Fundraising usually involves the volunteers helping each other out, with race nights, pub quizzes, fashion shows, and many other nights out, and it is all part of the experience. We can advise on fundraising and we send all our volunteers an authorisation certificate to collect on behalf of the charity, subject of course, to required permits.

From each volunteers fundraising target, the flights, insurance and accommodation will be arranged. Vaccinations, kit and all other expenses are not. A full advised kit list ,and an information pack with lots of project advice, is given to each volunteer well in advance of travel. A project meeting is also arranged prior to travel so everyone can meet and get to “have a look at the other members of the gang”.! Project duration is usually 10 days to 2 weeks. The working day is normally 08.00hrs to 16.00hrs. but this can change to 06.00hrs to 19.00hrs if necessary. We generally  like our volunteers to survive so, we have to keep an eye on the heat and humidity. There are days off and we will arrange trips locally for those that want to explore. However the completion of the project takes priority, so don’t be disappointed if, instead of laying out your towel on your day off, you’re mixing cement instead…………

Most of all the projects are about getting involved, helping others and meeting people. Although you have no idea who they are now, these people will become friends and share memories that you will have for the rest of your life.