Townships experience is life changing

"When you see what they're living in you realise what you're out there to do... you get caught up in it." Those were the words Johnny Farrelly from Cavan town used to describe his experience working with the Niall Mellon Township Trust in South Africa to The Anglo-Celt. The work the Township Trust does is well known at this stage, so Johnny didn't go over that ground again, but he and his friend Brian Brady spoke about how much the experience means to the volunteers: "You're there to build houses for people who are living in shacks," said Johnny. "Some of the people in this photo are moving into a house for this Christmas, and it's good for us to see that." Back at home Johnny is the Cavan Gaels kit man and a junior team selector, and works with Aidan Elliott Construction - working with the underprivileged people of the South African townships opens the volunteers' eyes, he says: "You see what these people are living in, you see the way the kids go to school, how they only have cold water outside to wash themselves... it's the children you feel sorry for." Brian Brady, who works with the family agricultural contracting business in Castletara, agreed: "It's very rewarding, the recession here doesn't mean much when you see the conditions out there. If you had a dog living like that at home, you'd be arrested. "You see the looks on those people's faces when the keys are handed over, it's like winning the Euromillions to you or me. With other charities you put money in a box and it disappears, you don't see what it does, but with the Township Trust, you know it's not being embezzled by corrupt politicians." Here at home the Niall Mellon Trust has a network of volunteers so enthusiastic about the project that they are constantly recruiting. Johnny's sister-in-law Carmel Shalvey from Cootehill had read about it and asked him to get involved. At that stage she hadn't been out to South Africa (though she has since), and Johnny has now been three times. At first he didn't think he'd have time to raise the funds or travel for the week because of his commitments to Cavan Gaels and "one thing and another", but "it was one of these things that happened" and he started to raise money. The Gaels have been particularly generous to Johnny's efforts - each of the senior players donated €100 each of the three times he's gone out to South Africa ("I put a lot of work in for the Gaels and it came back tenfold," he says) and there was a race night in the Slieve Rossa. "Ordinary people were coming out with money to me, I did an interview on local radio and after that I had €300 out to the house. People stopped me on the street and gave me money, once people know you're doing it and know you're genuine, they're very generous." Johnny, Brian and fellow volunteer Martin Sheridan would like to thank every sponsor and everyone who has contributed to the Township Trust. They also appreciate the new friends they make while working in South Africa. Johnny and Barney O'Loughlin from Belleek in Co. Fermanagh [a cousin of this writer] are firm friends now and like all the volunteers work hard at home and abroad, and socialise too: "The friendships are very important," says Johnny, pointing out that the volunteers "have a good time at night too, have a bit of fun with other lads working there". They're already making plans to return to South Africa in 2010.nmtownshiptrust.com