_{Pay back time as teachers are soaked}

It was pay back time for pupils of Scoil Lorcáin, St. Johns Park, recently for all the homework given to them during the past year.  They made full use of the opportunity to exact sweet revenge by soaking their teachers in a sponge-throwing fundraiser at the end of term event.

For just 1Euro, each pupil delighted in being allowed hurl a soaking wet sponge at their teacher but, suffice to say, there weren't many pupils content to have just the one go.  As they queued in a mannerly but enthusiaistic fashion, they emptied their pockets, which had been filled with their piggy bank savings and for some that totalled 5, 10 and even the odd 20 Euro.

The drenched teachers themselves then stepped up to the mark and for a mere 5 Euro, they could throw a sponge at ever-popular principal Harry Flynn, who is known for his enthusiasm and is always a great sport when it comes to raising money for charity.

With 304 pupils taking part in the fun event, the money raised was certainly impressive, a fantastic 1,100 Euro, which will now be donated to help establish a school in Kireka, which the children have been sponsoring since the start of the year.  They also collected 1 cent and 2 cent coins in class, which added up to 500 Euro.

With 1,600 Euro now on its way to Kireka, following the 7,000 Euro they have already raised since the start of the year, the dream of building a kitchen and sitting room in the school can now become a reality.

At present Scoil Lorcáin is trying to obtain a container so they can transport materials and supplies to the poverty stricken area and their generosity has not gone unnoticed with letters coming from the African school regularly and some of the pupils have even formed pen-pal relationships with the children.

by Lynda Murphy
Waterford News & Star  July 8, 2005