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Extract from Drogheda Inndependent Wednesday July 4th 2007 - by Sean Callery
A group of graduates met at the Drogheda Partnership office on Mayoralty Street last Thursday to celebrate their completion of educational courses at venues across the town.
All the graduates are members of Drogheda Partnership, which was set up in response to high unemployment and centrations of local difficulties in the local area.
The graduates undertook courses in a range of subjects including Computers, English and Personal Development.
One of the graduates who spoke of her experience was Maura McDonagh from Finian's Park. She said "I found the courses very enriching and they gave me great confidence. I can keep up with modern technology now, which is what I enjoy".
Another of the smiling faces at the meeting was Patience Onwuneme from Mount Auburn Close, who moved to Drogheda from Nigeria six years ago. " I think I benefited most out of everybody", she insisted. "Where I come from women do not receive education, but now I feel much more confident in myself and I have met so many new friends since I started the course".
Patience completed courses in English, Personal Development, and computers, as did brothers Charlie and Wally Murphy.
'I really enjoyed it, but there was too much homework!', joked Charlie. 'I have attained an awful lot of confidence. I wanted to learn computers, but I didn't realise there were other courses. My brother helped me out and I helped him out'.
Another of the men who atteneded the courses was Cornelius Vogelaar from Termonfeckin who studied computers. However, the men were heavily outnumbered by female graduates such as, Rachel Kennedy from Maryley's Court, Mary Nixon of Marley's Lane and Rathmullen woman Carmel Hill.
Also present were Kim Martin from Moneymore, Marie Cowley from Trinity Gardens and Brid McGinley of College Rise, who all completed courses at the Northside Community Partnership Centre in Moneymore.
After hearing some of the graduates share their experiences, Ina McCrumlish, Project Coordinator expressed her delight with the sucess of the courses. 'By completing these courses a process has begun for each individual', she said.
'Throughout the teaching experience the Partnership if mindful of the reality of the situation people are living with, reacting to, creating or maintaining. In each individual's journey, we as tutors find pleasure and humility'.
The courses were held at various venues across Drogheda between January and June of this year and many local people have benefited from participating.
Mary McClorey is in charge of Southside Community Development Centre, one of the centres where the courses were held. 'We're trying to help people identify their own skills and give them confidence', she said at the meeting last Thursday.
The last word was left to Mary-Ann McGlynn, Manager of Drogheda Partnership, who said : 'The most rewarding part of my job is hearing how the people here are learning and developing and taking steps on a path to a place where their personal lives are enriched'. |
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