WELL-known Ennis GP, Dr Rory O’Keeffe received a standing ovation at a gala event for his volunteerism in Kenya, also highlighting the projects carried out by volunteers from County Clare in Africa.
Dr O’Keeffe, now retired, was a GP in Ennis for almost 50 years and relocated to Kenya following his retirement
After travelling back from Africa to speak at Project ESPWA’s Gala Fundraising Dinner in Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co Kildare, Dr O’Keeffe received a standing ovation from the 200 strong attendances.
He praised project ESPWA for their great work in Ukraine, Honduras, Dominic Republic and Haiti, but in particular for his first love in Kenya.
During his address, Dr O’Keeffe noted the impact that ESPWA makes to Kenya by shipping 40-foot containers to the poorest people of East Africa. He also highlighted projects completed by volunteers from Clare, Cork and Galway, building a new school in a village called Shirango,and a Disability Centre in a town called Bamba catering for up to 1,000 people in a Government flagged area of high deprivation.
Other projects included the drilling of a borehole 200 meters down to find water, erecting a water tower and fitting solar panels to run the pump as there was no electricity anywhere near Shirango.
He went on to tell of the great scenes of joy that day as the children played with the water and the ladies were relieved as they no longer had to travel 15km round trip in the blazing heat to get their bucket of very poor-quality water.
Dr O’Keeffe added, “With the school and the water tower, these volunteers brought a dying village in East Africa back to life” and explained the plan to send more containers and carry out another big project in Kenya in 2025.
ESPWA is a charity that gives humanitarian aid to communities in crisis and is run on a total voluntary basis, no payments or expenses are received by any of the directors or volunteers.
Anybody wishing to volunteer, donate or contribute in any way please contact or local Ennis representative: Pat Barry on 086 2582995.
