By Sean Keane
A TULLAHOUGHT woman who is working as an international volunteer in Cambodia under a Government- backed programme is showing how Irish people are making a real difference in some of the poorest communities in the World, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin.
Christina Duggan of Tullahought is being supported by the Irish Government to work with the United Nations on the ground in Cambodia where she is helping families to deal with rising food prices.
Minister Martin has highlighted Christina's work as the Government is encouraging more Irish interns to take part in its United Nations Volunteer programme across the globe.
"Christina has taken a lead in promoting rural enterprise in communities in Cambodia and helping to show people how they can generate businesses in order to pay for food for their families. Her work under the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation is vital in a country where an estimated one and a half million people live under constant threat of starvation," according to the Minister.
Christina is on a year- long contract, which ends next February. She feels lucky to have been involved in the rural business project from its start-up. "It is a privilege to be in a position to get this project up off the ground and to be involved in the training of local people who will be able to continue the work when I leave next February.
"The work is exciting and varied. One week you can be travelling to small, local communities to meet village leaders, another you would be carrying out research in the busy markets of the capital Phnom Penh exploring the potential for new rural based businesses," she said.
The businesses, which Christina helps get up and running, provide employment work and cash in the communities in which she works. While Christina has found working within the UN system challenging at times, she believes that, in terms of personal development and confidence building, the experience has been hugely beneficial. When asked what she misses from home, she says her family and friends.
Last year the Government provided €870 million through Irish Aid to tackle poverty in the world's poorest countries. While this commitment is huge, more and more Irish people have decided to get directly involved in the efforts to support those less well off.
Christina is one of 42 volunteers to have gained experience under the Irish Aid-backed UN Volunteer (UNV) Internship programme since 2006. The interns live and work in a developing country for a period of one year. Previous volunteers have worked with UN agencies in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The purpose of the programme is to help develop the next generation of Irish development specialists.
Record interest in overseas development and volunteering is reflected in the fact that 18,000 people have visited the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre since it opened on Dublin's O'Connell Street in January of this year. The Centre has information on Ireland's overseas aid and opportunities for those interested in volunteering for overseas development.
Minister Martin said volunteering can make a real difference to the lives of people in developing countries. "Experience is that most volunteers get at least as much out of the experience as they put in," he said.
A TULLAHOUGHT woman who is working as an international volunteer in Cambodia under a Government- backed programme is showing how Irish people are making a real difference in some of the poorest communities in the World, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin.
Christina Duggan of Tullahought is being supported by the Irish Government to work with the United Nations on the ground in Cambodia where she is helping families to deal with rising food prices.
Minister Martin has highlighted Christina's work as the Government is encouraging more Irish interns to take part in its United Nations Volunteer programme across the globe.
"Christina has taken a lead in promoting rural enterprise in communities in Cambodia and helping to show people how they can generate businesses in order to pay for food for their families. Her work under the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation is vital in a country where an estimated one and a half million people live under constant threat of starvation," according to the Minister.
Christina is on a year- long contract, which ends next February. She feels lucky to have been involved in the rural business project from its start-up. "It is a privilege to be in a position to get this project up off the ground and to be involved in the training of local people who will be able to continue the work when I leave next February.
"The work is exciting and varied. One week you can be travelling to small, local communities to meet village leaders, another you would be carrying out research in the busy markets of the capital Phnom Penh exploring the potential for new rural based businesses," she said.
The businesses, which Christina helps get up and running, provide employment work and cash in the communities in which she works. While Christina has found working within the UN system challenging at times, she believes that, in terms of personal development and confidence building, the experience has been hugely beneficial. When asked what she misses from home, she says her family and friends.
Last year the Government provided €870 million through Irish Aid to tackle poverty in the world's poorest countries. While this commitment is huge, more and more Irish people have decided to get directly involved in the efforts to support those less well off.
Christina is one of 42 volunteers to have gained experience under the Irish Aid-backed UN Volunteer (UNV) Internship programme since 2006. The interns live and work in a developing country for a period of one year. Previous volunteers have worked with UN agencies in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The purpose of the programme is to help develop the next generation of Irish development specialists.
Record interest in overseas development and volunteering is reflected in the fact that 18,000 people have visited the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre since it opened on Dublin's O'Connell Street in January of this year. The Centre has information on Ireland's overseas aid and opportunities for those interested in volunteering for overseas development.
Minister Martin said volunteering can make a real difference to the lives of people in developing countries. "Experience is that most volunteers get at least as much out of the experience as they put in," he said.
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