On Friday, January 17th, 2 representatives from The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) – the international development arm of the Irish Credit Union movement – paid a visit to 4 different class groups in the school. Sinead Lynam, who works with the Drogheda Credit Union and our very own school secretary Geraldine Gilsenan, who is on the board of Drogheda Credit Union (one of the largest on the island), were our special guests.
The class groups involved – 3rd year Religious Education, 5th year LCA English & Communication, TY Development Education & 2nd year Home Economics – were each treated to a fascinating account of the rise of the credit union movement in Ireland, together with the first hand experiences of Sinead and Geraldine when they visited The Gambia last September, invited to take part in a Governance Volunteer Programme. Social justice, empowerment of low income communities, “people helping people” are the cornerstone of the ILCU’s ethos. The girls heard from credit union members in The Gambia, via a short film made by Sinead during the visit. One member remarked that “The credit union is one family, regardless of where you’re from”. Thank you, Geraldine and Sinead, for such an engrossing presentation – it was inspiring and enjoyable!
