'I hope Haiti can get on its feet but it will take time'

TY TALK:Loreto High School, Beaufort, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin: Aoife Sheridan (16), Ailbhe Kelly (16), Ciara ONeill (16) and Eleanor McLoughlin (16)

ON ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Ciara O'Neill: "Our school has a St Vincent de Paul committee that meets every Wednesday. We've organised loads of events and fundraisers during the year, including a Christmas party for disadvantaged schools and a FairTrade week. SVdeP does fantastic work and I plan to stay involved after school."

ON THE SCHOOL PLAY

Eleanor McLoughlin: "The school play is a tradition for Transition Years, and this March (24th, 25th and 26th) year we're putting on Oliver!It's the highlight of the year and everybody takes part, whether in a backstage role, in the orchestra or chorus, or in an acting role. Our choir and drama teachers put so much work into it. It's a great way to make new friends – I'm delighted because I have the role of Nancy."

ON HAITI

CON: "Two weeks ago, our school's SVdeP held an appeal to raise money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. We held a cake sale and had a bucket collection in Nutgrove shopping centre. Altogether we raised €10,000, which we passed on to Goal. I hope Haiti can get on its feet – I won't say back on its feet as it wasn't well off to begin with – but it will take time. It's important to make sure people don't abandon it.

ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Ailbhe Kelly: "We've been involved in Eco-Unesco, an organisation for young people which focuses on issues of sustainable development. We meet every Wednesday from 5-7pm.

“For our Eco-Unesco Action Project, we’re organising an eco-fashion show, where all the outfits will be produced from recycled materials. We’ll also have a few bands playing at it, and we’re donating any profits to Haiti. It’ll be held on March 19th at the Greenhouse, which is on Andrews Street. It kicks off at 5-7pm, it’s open to all, and tickets are available at the door.”

ON GAISCE

Aoife Sheridan: "Most of our year are going for the President's Award. It's a great way to be challenged without having to enter a competition, and it helps young people to develop new skills. For the bronze award, I'm taking on a new grade of speech and ballet, a new grade of ballet, and I'm the Gaisce representative for my class. Others are taking on lifeguard training, first aid, new sports, or new instruments."

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