Youth Issues

Details of What’s Happening NOW . . .

Active involvement of Young People in the life of the Community

“Log On Learn“

Computer Training for Older People

This course is designed to enable young people to teach Computer Skills to older people.

The 20-hour program started on Tue. March 24th , with 19 Transition Year students teaching one-to-one basic computer skills to the senior group. The class will continue until the end of May.

This program is being organised and supported by the MFG-Meitheal Mhúscraí Youth Worker, Nellie Uí Dhoirbhín, in conjunction with Toirdhealbhach Ó Lionáird, the Transition Year Co-ordinator in Colaiste Ghobnatan, Baile Bhúirne. The students are enjoying their Easter break at the moment, and will be back in the classroom shortly.

For more information or comments, please contact us here

(Feedback Sheet Download)

“Log On Learn” is an Intel, Microsoft, An Post Collaboration www.intel.com

Supporting Disadvantaged Young People to remain in Mainstream Education

Drugs Awareness (06-04-2009)

The background of this project dates from 2007 when MFG-Meitheal Mhúscraí in conjunction with Colaiste Ghobnatan, organised a Drug Awareness Program for the Transition Year students. We requested tutors from the Alliance Sexual Health Centre in Cork City to present an extended 20 hr course designed to inform and examine the participants knowledge and behaviour around sexual health and drugs issues. This is the first time that the extended program was presented in a second level school.

At present, nine of these students are travelling to the Centre in Cork one night a week to attend an accredited follow-on training program. This will enable them to assist in the delivery of the Drugs Awareness Program next term.

Peer education is recognised world wide as the most successful form of Drug Awareness Education.

Links associated with this program are:

Colaiste Ghobnatan

The Alliance Sexual Health Centre

Feedback on this

(Download Feedback Form)

Film Project (06-04-2009)

Fortunately for the Transition Year Students of 2008, the Film-maker Dónal Ó Ceilleachair was Artist in Residence in the Ionad Cultúrtha in Baile Bhúirne. In a joint project with the Ionad Cultútha, MFG-Meitheal Mhúscraí applied for funding to make a Drugs Awareness film as-Gaeilge from the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force.

The students were immersed in all aspects of the film making; they acted, directed, and learned to use the lighting and other equipment. They produced a 15 minute film using an excerpt from Dermot Bolger’s play, “From these Green Heights” under the guidance of dramatist Breandán Ó Briain

The film will be launched shortly, and will be announced here on the site and more widely.

Links:

Drugs Task Force

Dónal Ó Ceilleachair

Ionad Cultúrtha Colaiste Ghobnatan

Feedback on this:

(Download Feedback Form)

Coping Skills (07-04-2009)

Courses in Self-development are being delivered to Junior Cert classes in Scoil Mhuire and Transition Year students in Colaiste Ghobnatan. The topics covered include Stress Management, Conflict Management and Goal Setting.

The background of this work is that MFG-Meitheal Mhúscraí conducted a Youth Survey in Colaiste Ghobnatan and Scoil Mhuire in 2004. Arising from that survey, students requested a ‘Coping Skills’ program. With that objective in mind, we have been presenting a Personal Development Program in both second level schools, exploring the different ways of dealing with stress, building confidence, self-esteem, and communication skills.

(Download Youth Survey)

Feedback on this:

(Download Feedback Form)

Career Information Days (07-04-2009)

We are planning the Career Information Day for 2009 at present. It will be held on Wednesday, 9th September. If you are a student in Third Level, Further Education, or doing an Apprenticeship, we’d be delighted to hear from you. In 2007, students covering a wide range of careers, from Nursing to the Gardaí, from Art to Horticulture took part.

This work came about because evidence gathered from the MFG-Meitheal Mhúscraí Youth Survey of 2004 suggested that students identified information on Third Level, Further Education and Apprenticeship courses as a priory. Both Scoil Mhuire and Colaiste Ghobnatan were fully on board and provided a great deal of informationa dn background. The Careers Information Day is organised during the first week of September every second year as a result. Past pupils from both Scoil Mhuire and Colaiste Ghobnatan who are still in college, doing other courses, or apprenticeships are invited to come and speak informally about their chosen courese. This work has been very well received by teachers and students alike, and we are looking forward to speaking to the participants next September.

To contact us, or get more information about previous courses presented, call Nellie on 026-45661 or email us on

eolas@muscrai.ie

Access to Further Education and Training for Disadvantaged Young People

Bursaries for Third Level Students (07-04-2009)

Over the past number years, bursaries of between €200 and €500 have been made available to students living in Gaeltacht Mhúscraí to support their retention and participation in further and/or higher education.

One fund which supports this is the Millennium Partnership Fund. In the academic year 2008 – 2009 we got funding for 11 bursaries of €500. This is paid in 2 instalments €300 in December and the second instalment of €200 in April.

The criteria for chosing applicants are based on the economic status of the household as well as other relevant details.

The way in which the Millennium Partnership Fund operates will change for 2009-10.

Further details will be posted on this site when they become available.

For more information please contact Cáit on 026-45661 or send an email to