Salthill woman sends thanks from Mozambique for Trócaire Box donations

A GALWAY aid worker living in Mozambique has sent her thanks all the way from Africa. Sorcha Fennell, from Salthill, works for the development agency Trócaire and has praised Ireland for its charitable spirit. 'Here in Mozambique, Ireland has a reputation for being a caring and giving country because of the incredible contribution we have made in helping Mozambique's poorest people,' she said. 'Living so far away from home, I'm always proud to tell people that I'm from Ireland, and from Galway.' [private] Ireland was recently ranked as Europe's most charitable donors, and the second most charitable nation in the world in a study conducted by the Charities Aid Foundation, which based rankings on the percentage of the population who give money to charity each month, who volunteer their time and who help strangers. For Sorcha, this is something for the country to celebrate on our national holiday. 'The generosity of Irish people is quite remarkable, and it is something we should be extremely proud of, especially as we celebrate all that's great about our nation on St Patrick's Day. 'We have a strong tradition of empathy with those less fortunate and even as we go through a recession, that tradition has been retained. At the moment there are Trócaire boxes in homes, schools and parishes across Ireland. Irish people have made this box a symbol of hope for so many people and a firm part of our history is making the world a more just place,' she continued Trócaire's Lenten campaign, which is one of the oldest fundraising campaigns in Ireland, runs until Easter Sunday, April 8. [/private]