The Irish are Back! – 750 volunteers walk onto site on the

Niall Mellon Township Trust Building Blitz

The sense of excitement and anticipation as the 750 volunteers landed in Cape Town for the Niall Mellon Township Trust Building Blitz was quite extraordinary.  From all parts of Ireland and from all different walks of life the shared camaraderie was tangible.  Each and every volunteer has raised funds to come to the township of Wallacedene to help build a home and a brighter future for some of the world’s poorest people.

The volunteers are in the township of Wallacedene for one week to build 140 homes and with over 550 volunteers now veterans, the likelihood of completion is promising.  Niall Mellon said “The 750 volunteers today walked into the township of Wallacedene to rapturous sounds of clapping, singing and cheering.  Children were dancing and waving colourful balloons to welcome back the Irish men and women who have come to help change their lives dramatically.   It is a reflection of the generous nature of the Irish and a fantastic example to the young people that no matter how hard times are at home the Irish are still willing to help others. I am immensely proud of each and every volunteer who has worked hard to fundraise and join us on our 9^th blitz and to all the people in Ireland who donated money to help them get here.”

By the end of 2010 the Niall Mellon Township Trust will have built 15,000 homes housing 100,000 people.  The houses provide not only a safe environment for families but will provide longer term health benefits and an environment to help children study.

Since 2002 over 10,000 people have volunteered with the Niall Mellon Township Trust and over 3,000 of these volunteers are South Africans. It is incredibly uplifting to see so many South African’s coming together to improve the lives of their fellow citizens and this has been inspired by the Irish. 
 

For Further Information:

Valerie Craigie    00 272 447 4215 (sth af. Mobile)