Some readers of 'News- Four' will know about the work of the Anchorage Project that operates from the Old Mission Hall in York Road, Ringsend. It might be because their pre-school children attend the playgroup, or their older children might attend the Tuesday club, or it may be that they bought bedding plants, a hanging basket, a window box, a rabbit or even a budgie at the Anchorage Project.

Joe and Sharon Donnelly have been developing the work at the Anchorage Project over recent years and each year at their annual Carols Evening a gift cheque is handed over to a charity operating in a third world country.

Last year saw the amount raised at the Ringsend project reach the sum of €20,000 which was given to the Masoyi homebased care charity operating in Swaziland, Mozambique and the South African province of Mpumalanga. Leaving behind the horrendous Irish Summer, Anchorage project volunteer and local teenager Maria Daly joined the Donnellys and friends in heading out to Africa to help bring hope, encouragement and care to various communities living in conditions that we might struggle to comprehend. Maria had the opportunity to work among many of the three thousand orphans that are cared for and fed every day.

She also accompanied the others on home care visits where she witnessed what someone described as the, “underprivileged majority who are filled with the tearful vision of overflowing pain, of oppression, suffering, inequality, violence and illiberal powers.”

Maria's response to this experience was quite intense: “How can they be so happy having literally nothing, and we who have so much, way too much? We are always complaining.” Maria struggled to witness the contrast between the wealth exhibited in some areas compared to the misery and destitution in most other areas.

Another shocking contrast was the sheer beauty of the plants and animals in comparison to the conditions in the townships and ghettos. Despite, or maybe because of all these heart searching questions Maria is certain about one thing, “This was the best experience of my life and it has made me think hard about keeping my head down and completing my education!”

Joe and Sharon plan to develop a facility for teenagers at the Anchorage Project in the coming months. Joe is currently completing a part-time Masters Degree with his thesis, 'Perspectives of Hope for transition year students'.

The Anchorage can be contacted at 6600517 or at jdonnelly@indigo.ie