IT IS more than 12 years since The Shanty educational project was set up at the back of an old hunting lodge on the outskirts of Tallaght, Co Dublin. Since then it has provided second chance learning for over 2,500 people in west Tallaght. Late last year a long-held dream was realised when the project moved to new, purpose-built accommodation in Jobstown.
The Shanty began as a privately funded venture with one course. It now offers 17 programmes and provides educational childcare for over 80 children. An off-shoot of The Shanty, Weaving Dreams, has since become a separate small business.
The new centre is called An Cosan and its chief aim is to offer the people of Tallaght West "a path towards education, training and employment, a way out of poverty and social injustice". An Cosan is a thriving example of community-based, community-inspired education in action. It is largely self-funding and it needs ongoing support to continue its work. It would welcome financial or other assistance from companies or groups who would like to help in any way. A team from An Cosan is running in the Women's Mini Marathon in June to raise funds and additional runners/walkers are welcome.
An Cosan is based at Kiltalown Village Centre, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24, telephone (01) 462 8488. Its doors are open to people within its greater catchment area who would like to pick up the threads of their education.
