Fiona Twomey from Newtownshandrum will travel to Kenya next month as part of the Cobh-based, Brighter Communities Worldwide annual Harambee trip. Harambee, which means all pull together in Swahili, is the official Kenyan motto.
Fiona, who works as a Global Retail Specialist with Bord Bia, says, ‘I am really looking forward to the trip. This is my first time volunteering overseas. I have always wanted to do something like this and when the opportunity came up this year to travel as part of Brighter Communities Worldwide to Harambee this October, I kind of just went for it (without overthinking it too much – which is likely surprising for those who know me!). I know it will be a great experience and I feel very lucky to be able to do it. I really enjoy meeting and working with new people and I am sure that I will gain just as much (if not more) from the programme.’
“I will take part in the Lifeskills peer education programme and economic empowerment programme. Priority for these programmes is given to vulnerable groups particularly girls, women and people with disabilities.
“Brighter Communities Worldwide is quite unique in that it works in partnership with local communities in Kenya and its success is largely built on facilitating communities to determine what they need. I really like that their programmes equip local people with the skills needed to create a sustainable future, whether that be in areas of health, equality or through delivery of information to help communities to set up income generating projects. It means that after we, the volunteers have left, the local community can continue to educate and support each other. It’s not a stop-start mission! It is this concept of partnership that Brighter Communities has excelled at, empowering communities to achieve their goals, all the while providing support and friendship.
“Many people in Kericho county, Kenya, rely on agriculture as a main source of income. On one of the weekends, I hope to visit Baraka Agricultural college in Nakaru. Baraka Agricultural College is committed to the promotion of Sustainable Agriculture for Rural Development through education, training and outreach programmes. I have started the Green Cert in Pallaskenry, so I might pick up a few useful tips on the trip to help with that too!”
Fiona is busy fundraising for the event and to date has raised thousands of euros to support Brighter Communities Worldwide.
She recently climbed Carrauntoohil with a group of friends and family as part of her fundraising drive.
“Family and friends have been incredibly supportive of my trip to Kenya. A lot of people have been interested to learn about the work of Brighter Communities Worldwide and hopefully by increasing awareness of the charity and the positive impact it has, more people might consider volunteering themselves in the future.”