St. Michael’s has a long history of supporting development projects in Africa through its fundraising efforts for Trocaire. Over the years the students have raised thousands of pounds to support development projects sponsored by Troicaire. We have also supported their global gifts campaign each Christmas. We feel that the school is now ready to move to the next level of support by establishing a direct link with Africa.

St. Michael’s, a Mercy School, has established a link with a Mercy Immersion Project in Nairobi, Kenya. With the support of the Kenyan Provincial, Sr. Liz Fletcher the school has identified the shanty town of Mukuru in Nairobi as its link. Development work is currently being undertaken in Mukuru by the Sisters of Mercy, through whom St. Michael’s will organise its support project. In the first year of the project the focus is on logistics. A core team of teachers will travel too Africa to identify specific ways in which the school can support the work of the Sisters.

The focus for fundraising this academic year (06-07) will be Mukuru. Next Year (08) the intention is to send a party of teachers and students for practical hands on experience of working in a shanty town.We feel the project will be mutually beneficial. Supporting Mukuru will help embed the Mercy Ethos in St. Michael’s and it will give students a realistic view of development issues. All students will have the opportunity to become actively involves by supporting the project through fundraising, or by going directly to work in Mukuru.

Mr McGivern leader of the Project and head of RE in St. Michael’s said” this is an exciting time for St. Michael’s. A huge challenge and opportunity lies ahead for staff and students. As ever we look to our student body, our parents and the wider community in Lurgan and Co. Armagh to support our fund raising effort”