*Pictured at a recent visit to the Irish embassy in Delhi was Margaret Hennessy from Ennis, Mary Quinn from Castlebar with Bridget Horkan, co-founder of Thamarai education projects in Tamil Nadu India, who were meeting with the Irish ambassador, Kevin Kelly, and consul Sophie Rogan.
ENNIS woman, Margaret Hennessy was part of a recent delegation to the Irish embassy in Delhi in India to showcase the work of the Thamarai education projects in Tamil Nadu India.
Margaret travels to India annually for yoga practice and is a long-term supporter of Thamarai Education Project.
The Thamarai community learning centre, started in 2006, provides education and well being support for 65 children daily, seven days a week, in a marginalised village in Tamil nadu.
Irish woman, Bridget Horkan is a co-founder of the Thamaria community learning centre and at the meeting at the Irish embassy with Irish ambassador, Kevin Kelly, the work of Thamarai and the cross-cultural youth work with Foroige, Co Mayo was showcased.
A retired nurse, Margaret prior to her travels to India earlier this year held a successful fundraising coffee morning in Ennis, that raised funds for education and nutrition programs and the sport ground upgrade.
She said, “Thamarai warms my heart, it is a safe and joyful place that supports each child to thrive and stretch for their full potential. It provides afterschool and weekend activities for children and a learning and meeting space for youth and adults where overall well-being is nourished”.
“There are ongoing classes in yoga, arts, culture, sports, health and digital literacy. The children’s talent shows are a highlight and during school holidays there is time for health camps and project based initiatives such as film making. Students, from 20 years ago, have graduated from college and have returned to the project mentoring the new generation of children. It is a real community learning initiative where everyone learns, including grandparents,” Margaret added.
At the meeting at the embassy, Ms Horkan presented the International Story Book, created by youth from the Bey project Ballyhaunis and youth from Thamarai in Tamil nadu. The book was a prize winner in the 2025 Education Training Board of Ireland (ETBI) Youth Excellence awards
