Cllr Dan Boyle wishes SERVE volunteers the very best

This summer, 30 SERVE volunteers from Ireland will be on placement in India, Zambia and Mozambique.

Cllr Dan Boyle met the SERVE volunteers on their final pre-departure training day in Scala in Blackrock, Cork.

Cllr Dan Boyle also participated in a Global Citizenship Education Workshop that focussed on Ethical Development, Solidarity & Power.

Cllr Dan Boyle said, “It’s only this generation and the one before that knows Ireland as a wealthy country. It’s important to uphold the values of community and collaboration to be a successful country more so than a wealthy country. The experiences and knowledge that SERVE volunteers will bring back to Ireland from their placement overseas will help us all do and be better. I wish the SERVE volunteers well and hope that their continued global citizenship journey will be more valuable to them.“

SERVE began in 2003 and their work contributes to the 17 Global Goals. As a part of their commitment to becoming Global Citizens, volunteers engage in an extensive training programme in the months leading up to their placements. 

Rory Murphy works with Cork Life Centre and will be one of the leaders taking the group of SERVE volunteers to Zambia. Rory explains, “All SERVE volunteers across the different groups work on projects ranging from English lessons to assisting therapists who work with people living with disabilities. Another thing they will all do is create a mural while in country to reflect the Global Goals. All their learnings will be shared upon their return to Ireland at the Nest Step weekend.”

Although SERVE has continued their work in Ireland, SERVE’s overseas programme has been on hold since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laura Canning is SERVE’s Volunteer Programme and Global Citizenship Education Coordinator. Laura says, “It’s great to be able to send volunteers overseas to our partners for the first time in 3 years… We are really looking forward to seeing the impact that the GCE Programme has on our volunteers when they return and how they put their learning into practice through active global citizenship.”