Mags GarganTwelve members of the Irish Venture Scouts from 35th Dublin, Donore Avenue Group recently received the prestigious international Scouts of the World Award, in recognition of their two-year Gairdín Docháis project, which saw them deliver a sensory garden, playground and a play ‘cub camp’ for children with disabilities in the Flame of Hope home in Siliguri in India founded by Sr Ann Francesa MC.
The World Organisation of the Scout Movement, representing 40 million scouts in 161 countries, reserves its Scouts of the World Award for those who have gone through a personal journey in identifying a need in the world and giving a significant voluntary contribution to addressing this need.
Over the two years the Venture Scouts (16-18 years) trained in skills such as construction, gardening, leadership and working with young children, and fundraised to deliver the project on the ground.
Patricia Blake, Scouting Ireland’s National Commissioner for Venture Scouts presented the award to Holly Cummins, Sarah Byrne, Eoin Shivnen, Cathal Keane Breslin, Robert Blake, Niamh McCarthy, Sean Barnes, Cian Cusack, Thomas Smith, Rachel Sherry, Gavin Moriarty and Danah Hill, at the recent Christmas Church Parade of the Donore Avenue Group in St Teresa’s Church.