Sinead O'Brien (Chairperson) presents Fr Brian Kavanagh (ALMAS) with a cheque for €1,000 on behalf of Clongorey Community Association on 1st September, 2004. This represents the total value of coinage extracted from St Patricks Well.
(L to R): Stephanie Hill(Secretary), Ray Heavey, Geraldine Heavey, Amanda Conlon, Martin Heavey(Treasurer), Sinead O'Brien(Chairperson), Mary Hickey, Fr. Brian Kavanagh(ALMAS), Vincent Heavey, Sarah Conlon, Robert Halford, Keith Leavey and Eoin Heavey.
ALMAS
Almas is a charity that assists poor families and orphan children who are battling against the deadly HIV/Aids virus. The charity was established by Fr Brian Kavanagh, after the death of a 14-year-old African girl, Almas, had such a profound effect on him that he was moved to establish a charity to assist the work of the religious in Africa.
Almas, which means ‘Precious Pearl’ was diagnosed with HIV/Aids at birth. At the age of one-and a-half she was orphaned after her parents died from Aids. Almas tragically died from the same virus at the age of 14.
So moved by the plight of young Almas was Fr Kavanagh that he was compelled to reach out to the poor and children with the deadly virus in Africa.
His commitment and resolve in addressing the problem is so great he now intends to dedicate his life to supporting the groups who are working on the ground in many poor areas of the world, tacking poverty and sickness. “Almas is a lifelong commitment,” he pledged.
Fr Kavanagh said his awareness of the issue came about purely by accident.
An artist friend of his gave him a picture and suggested it would be a good idea to replicate it on postcards and sell them so that proceeds could go to a charity. “We were talking about what charity we could donate the proceeds to, but found it difficult.”
“It was the week after World Aids day when the issue of children with Aids came to the fore,” said Fr Brian. He met with a paediatric nurse in Cork who was a friend of his and explained he wanted to assist a children’s charity. Fr Brian added: “At that time I felt a very strong sense I had to do something. I knew I could no longer remain passive. I needed hands-on experience.” “I went to Ethiopia and I travelled to Addis Ababa where I visited the sisters in the mission of charity where. They care for 230 children. The sad thing about here was, on the one hand children were playing around, while on the other more were sick in their beds.
“The sisters told me of one young girl had died from Aids. Her name was Almas and she had died on March 4, 2002. “Right then I knew what I would call the charity, Almas, because I knew that’s what it was meant to be.” Fr Brian again returned to the graveside of Almas on the first anniversary of her death.
“The horrendous reality really struck me when, after prayers at her graveside the other children starting running around in the cemetery. They were looking for the grave of another of their young friends who had died the previous week.”
Most of the centres provide education and one meal a day to the people.
Fr Kavanagh admitted he was not a natural fund-raiser but his unwavering faith and commitment has driven him on. “This is from God. In prayer the Lord said I have to be his instrument,” he said.
He explained “All money raised will be given directly to the groups working on the ground. Anyone who goes out to the area pays their own way. We have put together a video, which can be had by any schools wishing to purchase it. It’s a very positive video. It shows my work and the work of the religious who are helping the children, they are the lucky ones,” he explained.
Up to the end of March, 2004 a total of €66,000 was raised and brought out to those working with the poor on behalf of ALMAS. €51,000 was sent to Ethiopia to help those working on the ground with children affected by Aids and poverty. €10,000 was sent to Peru and €5,000 was sent to Zambia. To date over €100,000 has been raised and it is hoped to send out almost €40,000 to 19 different groups this summer.
Fr Brian Kavanagh, now resides in Newbridge, Co. Kildare and he can be contacted at 087 - 6162765 or 045 - 438036.
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(L to R): Stephanie Hill(Secretary), Ray Heavey, Geraldine Heavey, Amanda Conlon, Martin Heavey(Treasurer), Sinead O'Brien(Chairperson), Mary Hickey, Fr. Brian Kavanagh(ALMAS), Vincent Heavey, Sarah Conlon, Robert Halford, Keith Leavey and Eoin Heavey.
ALMAS
Almas is a charity that assists poor families and orphan children who are battling against the deadly HIV/Aids virus. The charity was established by Fr Brian Kavanagh, after the death of a 14-year-old African girl, Almas, had such a profound effect on him that he was moved to establish a charity to assist the work of the religious in Africa.
Almas, which means ‘Precious Pearl’ was diagnosed with HIV/Aids at birth. At the age of one-and a-half she was orphaned after her parents died from Aids. Almas tragically died from the same virus at the age of 14.
So moved by the plight of young Almas was Fr Kavanagh that he was compelled to reach out to the poor and children with the deadly virus in Africa.
His commitment and resolve in addressing the problem is so great he now intends to dedicate his life to supporting the groups who are working on the ground in many poor areas of the world, tacking poverty and sickness. “Almas is a lifelong commitment,” he pledged.
Fr Kavanagh said his awareness of the issue came about purely by accident.
An artist friend of his gave him a picture and suggested it would be a good idea to replicate it on postcards and sell them so that proceeds could go to a charity. “We were talking about what charity we could donate the proceeds to, but found it difficult.”
“It was the week after World Aids day when the issue of children with Aids came to the fore,” said Fr Brian. He met with a paediatric nurse in Cork who was a friend of his and explained he wanted to assist a children’s charity. Fr Brian added: “At that time I felt a very strong sense I had to do something. I knew I could no longer remain passive. I needed hands-on experience.” “I went to Ethiopia and I travelled to Addis Ababa where I visited the sisters in the mission of charity where. They care for 230 children. The sad thing about here was, on the one hand children were playing around, while on the other more were sick in their beds.
“The sisters told me of one young girl had died from Aids. Her name was Almas and she had died on March 4, 2002. “Right then I knew what I would call the charity, Almas, because I knew that’s what it was meant to be.” Fr Brian again returned to the graveside of Almas on the first anniversary of her death.
“The horrendous reality really struck me when, after prayers at her graveside the other children starting running around in the cemetery. They were looking for the grave of another of their young friends who had died the previous week.”
Most of the centres provide education and one meal a day to the people.
Fr Kavanagh admitted he was not a natural fund-raiser but his unwavering faith and commitment has driven him on. “This is from God. In prayer the Lord said I have to be his instrument,” he said.
He explained “All money raised will be given directly to the groups working on the ground. Anyone who goes out to the area pays their own way. We have put together a video, which can be had by any schools wishing to purchase it. It’s a very positive video. It shows my work and the work of the religious who are helping the children, they are the lucky ones,” he explained.
Up to the end of March, 2004 a total of €66,000 was raised and brought out to those working with the poor on behalf of ALMAS. €51,000 was sent to Ethiopia to help those working on the ground with children affected by Aids and poverty. €10,000 was sent to Peru and €5,000 was sent to Zambia. To date over €100,000 has been raised and it is hoped to send out almost €40,000 to 19 different groups this summer.
Fr Brian Kavanagh, now resides in Newbridge, Co. Kildare and he can be contacted at 087 - 6162765 or 045 - 438036.
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