Students forced to postpone Uganda trip

Two Westmeath students who were due to volunteer in Uganda for three weeks this summer have said they are determined to try to make the trip next year, after Covid forced them to cancel the journey.

Jane Nangle from Ringtown, a student nurse at UCD, and Katie Coleman from Raharney, who is studying teaching at DCU, were to travel in June with Nurture Africa which had arranged for them to work with partner schools and participate in community projects such as house maintenance and home visits.

The friends embarked on a fundraising drive last February, and, says Jane, they received “huge support” from Ringtown Hurling Club and Rochfortbridge secondary school as well as sponsorship and donations from neighbours, family friends and businesses from Whitehall, Castlepollard and Raharney.

“We would also like to say a huge thank-you to both our families, who showed us endless support in our efforts to fundraise for this project. The support we received was amazing and we can’t thank you all enough for that,” says Jane.

“Needless to say, due to the circumstances of Covid-19, our trip to Uganda did not take place. We would just like to take this opportunity to assure you all that all funds raised for this cause have been safely put away for such time as it is safe for us to travel.

“We will keep you all updated over the next while about this. For now, we would like to thank everyone again for showing such generosity and support to our cause and in the meantime, keep safe and well during these crazy times.”