Vote of Thanks

There are so many people to thank for the opportunity and kindness.

- SCIAF for initially offering me the chance and all the staff at the Glasgow

office for their support before, during and after the trip.

- Parishioners at St Ninians RC Church in Gourock, for their spiritual and financial support through fundraising. The Charities Group, SVDP and support through the sale of cards was remarkable.

- Financial support and good wishes from staff at James Watt College, Morton FC, Tesco Stores, family, friends, neighbours and anonymous contributions.

- Support of my sponsored walk from Gourock to Largs.

- CAFOD for pre-trip guidance, support in Addis Ababa and throughout the trip. The post-trip de-briefing was very helpful.

- Andy Lewis, my trip partner, who was terrific all through the experience, for his friendship, laughter and support every day of the trip. Without his help I would not have been able to provide SCIAF with the photographs for the SCIAF website.

- Sisters Medhin Tesfay, Fisseha, Desta, Fana, Medhin Abraha and Alganesh at the Daughters of Charity Community in Mekelle for their daily support, fun and spiritual inspiration.

- Other Sisters and priests connected with the Daughters of Charity.

- Staff at the Daughters of Charity for looking after our domestic needs.

- Staff at the Street-children Project who helped with what was a very unique experience, coming from a completely different teaching environment in the UK.

- John O’Callaghan and John Bradley, from the Vincentian Lay Missionaries in Ireland, who were also working on the street-children project during our stay. We had some great times together.

- SCIAF for keeping an updated account of my daily diary on their website which my family and friends really appreciated.

- Irene, my wife, for giving me the support to take this on as I could not have done it without her help.

- The young people who were attending the street-children project, for the love and appreciation they gave for the small contribution I made to their lives during our stay.

The very generous fundraising and contributions have been and will be put to good use. Two groups of 40 and 20 children were taken to the local museums. A group of 20 older boys were taken for a week-end trip into the mountains of the Alitena area. Every child was given an exercise book, certificate and personal photograph of Andy and myself. The expenditure involved for these items was relatively small and the bulk of the fundraising will be utilised to purchase material for the new street-children project building which will become operational in December 2007. The new building is being funded by an anonymous Company from the UK, but there is a need for essential equipment such as desks, chairs, chalkboards, cabinets, beds and bedding. The improved facility will allow the Sisters to take more children off the street and assist them in improving their education and self-development. Sister Medhin will keep Andy and myself up to date with the purchased items when the new school is being kitted out.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me on this experience of a lifetime.

Tommy Dobbin
24 September 2007.