The Alan Kerins Projects are co-ordinating several Sky Diving days over the next few months.  We are looking for ‘brave souls’ to participate with us in our thrill seeking adventures, see our video below.  The money raised from these events will go towards badly needed dormitories and sanitation facilities in Kaoma. The link to this new project will be on site soon.

For more information contact us at info@alankerinsprojects.org or 091 750057

Click on picture to see our video

Jump for Africa 2012

HP chief Mark Gantly pictured with one of the children benefitting from the AKP and HP contributions.

Mark Gantly (MD of HP, Galway) recently visited our projects in Zambia.

HP chief Mark Gantly pictured with one of the children benefitting from the AKP and HP contributions.

For 2011, HP employees chose the Alan Kerins Project as their Charity of the Year. In November, I had the unique opportunity to visit Zambia to see how the funds raised by HP employees were being applied. Alan himself led a travelling group of 10, all of whom had provided support to the charity.

Read his story here

Michael Brown (Killeeneen National School, Craughwell, Co. Galway) and Alan Kerins

We have now launched our ‘Kids 2 Kidz’ Programme. This is part of the Alan Kerins Community Youth Leadership International Development Programme.  We are offering each school a HP Laptop and the unique opportunity to attend the first ever ‘Kids 2 Kidz’ Educational Conference in Galway once they have raised €1500 for the Charity.  To help each school to raise this money we also launched our new Christmas Gift Cards, which provide such gifts as a Christmas dinner and school fees for the children of Zambia.  The cards cost between €5 and €10 each and would be a wonderful Christmas stocking filler for every family.  These cards will be available through your local primary school and also on the Alan Kerins Projects website on www.alankerinsprojects.org you can also contact us on info@alankerinsprojects.org or telephone 091 750057

The ‘Kids 2 Kidz’ programme aims to improve education and to fight hunger in Zambia as well as instilling a sense of active citizenship and civic engagement in young Irish children.  We believe that the pupils in our Primary Schools can help us to achieve these worthy goals.  

Participation in this programme will ensure that the children will became more aware of the positive impact that their individual and collective generosity can make on the lives of Zambian children of their own age as well as the significance of the role of international aid for many people in developing countries, with particular reference to Zambia. 

The ‘Kids 2 Kidz’ programme will also allow the schools to participate in the ‘Kids 2 Kidz’ Educational Conference in February 2012, where, as part of the Development Education workshops, we will introduce the children to the projects where their money is being spent. Along with our partners Hewlett Packard, DERI NUI Galway and the Galway Education Centre, we will provide demonstrations on the educational uses of the the HP laptop. We are also hoping to be able to establish a live link to the project school in Zambia during the conference.

The Launch of Alan Kerins Projects 'Kids 2 Kidz' Programme. In attendance were L-R Alan Kerins, David Forde (Hewlett Packard), Joe Kennelly (Principal, Cregmore National School, Galway), Cait Ni Mhaille (Chairperson, Galway Education Centre) Bernard Kirk (Galway Education Centre), Brendan Smith (DERI-NUIG) and Liam Bluett (Alan Kerins Projects Board Member)

Galway Wins on the Day

Alan Kerins Projects had a hugely successful fundraising event in Croke Park on Thursday last October 27^th with over €100,000 being raised for the work of the charity in Western Province, Zambia.

The charity organised a Gaelic Football match for supporters to play in Croke Park.  GAA legends, current players, celebrities and many people who fundraised to play in the event donned the colours of Galway and Dublin in what turned out to be a very tight and enjoyable game.  For many this was their first ever time gracing the hallowed turf of Croke Park, our national sporting treasure.  Many were fulfilling a lifetime dream to play a game alongside their sporting heroes and icons in such a prestigious and special venue.  The participants were treated to an experience mirrored on an All-Ireland Final day.  The pre match meal was kindly sponsored by the Burlington and the teams proceeded to Croke Park via police escort through the city.  A very surreal experience as we were mistaken for one of the presidential candidates by many.  The teams were provided with personalised team kits and full match day programme with Pat McEnaney officiating.  The Galway selection held on by one point in the end, and our own adopted Galway Man, Hector proudly lifted the cup.  Former Irish rugby legend Tony Ward commented that after 57 years of waiting  he finally got to chance to play in Croke Park and although he only got a few touches of the ball, it was magical. Soccer great and national icon Ray Houghton spoke about his delight and thrill at playing in Croke Park and how he was amazed at the sheer size of the venue.  Pat Spillane put aside the famous Dublin Kerry rivalry to wear the sky blue alongside the Brogans, and fellow legend Barney Rock, whilst Bernard Dunne and Ken Doherty were floating on air to play for their own native Dublin in CROKER!!!!  John O’Mahony and Pat Gilroy marshalled the sides well with O’Mahony winning out in the end.  The players and celebs alike were treated to a great night’s entertainment with Alan Shortt, Des Bishop and Barry Murphy providing side splitting laughter and they really went down well with the crowd.  Alan Kerins addressed the attendance and received a standing ovation from his peers and celebs after speaking passionately and showing a very moving video montage of the work his organisation is carrying out in Zambia.

Alan Kerins Projects would sincerely like to thank Croke Park and especially Christy Cooney, President of the GAA and Peter McKenna, Stadium and Commercial director at Croke Park for facilitating the use of the stadium in such a positive way, and for allowing so many fulfil their dreams.  The organising committee Chairman Michael Culhane complimented the Sponsors, Eugene Dalton of Corrib Oil and Lorcan Harding of Zurich for their generosity and friendship especially in these difficult economic times.  Alan Kerins complimented the huge effort by all on the organising committee, (Michael Culhane, Mark Gibbs, Pat Brennan, Paul Byres, Julie Moane, Kathryn Megahey, John O’Brien and Brian Hyland) for their Trojan work in making sure the day was so memorable for everyone.  It really was a special and unforgettable day, benefitting the poorest people in the world.

For further information please contact: info@alankerins.ie

A Big Thank You

The Guest House and Education Centre have been built, finished internally and furnished.  All works were carried out within an acceptable time frame, and within budget.

The Guest House can sleep up to 18 people in bunk beds in three rooms, plus toilets and showers with hot and cold running water.  There is electricity wired to the Guest House, power points and light are available.  The beds have western style mattresses and sheets and towels are provided.

The Education Centre has three rooms, one large room and two smaller rooms.  There are also toilets and showers in the building with running hot and cold water.  There is a kitchen /dining area, with a cooker and fridge so that groups can self-cater.  The administration will provide a cook if required.

The Education Centre is equipped with appropriate furniture, including tables and chairs, and dining table and chairs in the kitchen area.  There is electricity, and a bank of electricity outlets to facilitate computer use.  It is planned to provide WiFi when available in the town.

Completed Guest House

GAA Charity Challenge 2011 launch in Croke Park

Alan Kerins Projects (AKP) are pleased to announce that a novel charity match will take place in Croke Park on Thursday the 27^th October 2011 at 3.30pm.  The match will see the old rivalry ignited between Dublin and Galway in what promises to be a fun filled occasion.  Some of Ireland’s greatest sporting heroes have signed up for the event and they include; Padraic Joyce, Bernard Dunne, Ray Houghton, Jason Sherlock, Katie Taylor, Darragh O Se, Pat Spillane, Mikey Sheehy, Seamus Moynihan, Hector, Gary Gillespie, Ken Doherty, Mick Galway and Tony Ward to name a few.

The event will afford the unique and special opportunity for people to play in Croke Park by donating or raising €2,500 for the charity. Many will view this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to grace the hallowed turf of Croke Park and play with their sporting icons. The target is to raise 100,000 euro for the Alan Kerins Projects.

Commenting on the event Alan Kerins said that he was “delighted that the match was being played in such a wonderful stadium that is Croke Park”.  Alan pays tribute to all at Headquarters who have made this possible in particular Christy Cooney – President of the GAA and Peter McKenna – Stadium Director. Kerins expressed his huge admiration for the ethos of the GAA and the association’s sense of strengthening and supporting communities, a philosophy he is trying to mirror in his work in Zambia.

The match will be preceded by a reception in the Players Bar following by a Gala Dinner in the Hogan Stand Suite.  The Chairman of the committee, Michael Culhane, said that he was “delighted with the response to date” and particularly wished to thank the sponsors of the Galway Team – Corrib Oil and the Dublin Sponsor – Zurich Insurance Company for their generous sponsorship.  Michael was particularly delighted that two top rated companies were linked to the event and that the Independent Newspapers were also on board as media sponsors.

It promises to be a marvellous day and an experience that won’t be repeated!. For more details on how to get involved please contact the Alan Kerins Projects office at 091 750057 or email us  info@alankerinsprojects.org

More information: 2011 GAA Challenge (6.5 Mb pdf)

Click here to go directly to their website

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/8241.php

Construction of the super structure  of the Science and Home Economics Labs is now complete. The contractor “Build It” have recently placed the roof tiles (all tiles were produced on site) and are now finalising works. “Build It” are currently employing 11 local men and women who have no previous experience in construction. Upon its completion, each trainee will have a recognised certificate of competence which will greatly enhance their prospects of future employment.

3 classroom block

Excavation of the foundations for the proposed 3 classroom block  to the rear of the site has also been completed. The steel reinforcement will be placed in the coming week in preparation for the foundation pour.  All blocks used in the construction of these buildings are  sourced from the local block making facility which is funded by the Alan Kerins Projects.  Profits from this block making project are used to support Cheshire Home in Kaoma and it’s community projects.