Athy Sing and Sign group volunteer for Deaf Ethiopian Project

Athy Sing and Sign group spent their bank holiday Monday fundraising for the Deaf Ethiopian Project (DEP).

Some members of the group generously gave up their holiday to help screen print designs created by deaf students from Holy Family School for the Deaf, Bishopstown, Bishopstown Community School, and Mid West School for the Deaf in Limerick.

These unique designs were developed last year during a creative collaboration in Athy as part of their creative cluster schools project.

The prints are being ordered by members of the Deaf Community to raise vital funds for the Deaf Ethiopian Project, which is a voluntary organisation committed to raising funds for the education of Deaf children at the Ambo Lazarist Deaf School in Ethiopia

With the school year drawing to a close and limited resources available, it wasn't possible to organise this screen printing activity again within the school setting.

Recognising the need for support, the senior group of Athy Sing and Sign was asked if they could help. In a great show of charity Amy Knowles, Megan Byrne, Ben Byrne, Amelia Nolan, Caoimhe Owens, Lily Bowden, and Mary Byrne stepped in to lend their time and skills.

“I am incredibly proud of our members at Athy Sing and Sign who gave up their Bank Holiday to support this project," said Maggie Owens, chair Person of Athy Sing and Sign Club.
"Seeing their enthusiasm to help screen print these beautiful designs, created by deaf students, is a testament to our amazing members and our commitment to making a difference, at home and abroad."

The group wanted to express a massive thanks to Angelina Foster for generously giving up her time and opening her studio to allow them to create these bespoke prints.

The money raised from the sale of these prints will make a huge difference in the Ethiopia Deaf School. It will help deaf children there to learn a language and to communicate and providing the resources to make it possible.

For more information on EDP please check out their website at https://www.edp-ambo.com/