Zambia Immersion Project.
“Making a difference”
Edmund Rice opened his whole heart to the poor. Compassion was at the heart of what Edmund was about.
In an era when the nature and value of Catholic education is under scrutiny, Immersion is a unique and inspirational expression of the Edmund Rice ethos. At Easter 2017, a group of students and teachers from Coláiste Éamann Rís will travel to Zambia where they will be ‘immersed’ in Zambian life for two weeks. The purpose of the visit will be to give our students and teachers an experience of what is like to live and work in a Developing Country. Their encounter with victims of poverty and injustice will our students and teachers into ever deeper relationships with the community in which they are immersed to the extent that they cease to regard themselves, or be regarded, as visitors or outsiders. While in Zambia, students and teachers will work in schools, help in communities and visit orphanages, hospitals, farms and housing compounds. In a very real way, students and teachers will serve as ambassadors for the school and parishes.
The purpose of the Immersion Project is to raise awareness in a personal way for those who travel to Zambia. While in Zambia, the Immersion team will seek to identify worthwhile initiatives that we can help fund. On returning home, students will provide an integral link for Coláiste Éamann Rís to Zambia and will deliver presentations on their experience of Zambia to every class in the school as well as in their parish areas. It is also hoped that these presentations may also be delivered to classes in the other schools in Callan.
Preparation for the Zambia Immersion involves two elements- preparing students and teachers for their immersion and fundraising. Preparation for the Immersion involves useful information on Zambian culture, history, politics and geography as well as preparation in necessary skills such as teaching. Significant time is also given to looking after their well- being, both in a spiritual, physical and emotional sense. A great deal of time is also given to fundraising. This Immersion is no exception. Fundraising initiatives undertaken so far include a second hand clothes collection.
‘Act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God’.
Coláiste Éamann Rís 