This article is from page 30 of the 2007-04-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 30 JPG
TWO east Clare organisations have been awarded cash from the De- partment of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the Pro- gramme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organi- sations 2006.
The grants of €5,100 for the Scar- iff-based Alpha Project and €1,812 for the East Clare Community Co-op were announced by Minister Tony Kileen, who said that “it 1s impor-
tant that the voluntary effort of lo- cal community groups throughout County Clare is recognised.”
The Alpha Project aims to provide education for adolescents whose needs are not best met by the conven- tional exam-based system.
The 15 participants in the pro- gramme take part in hands-on learn- ing with projects such as building a Yurt – a traditional hut-style shelter – for use as a chemistry lab as there wasn’t room in the project’s accom- modation to practice chemistry.
By doing so, they not only got to study chemistry but learned the nec- essary physics to construct the dwell- ing properly.
A spokeswoman for the project said they are “delighted to get the grant. We don’t as yet get funding from the department so this will be important for buying equipment and training.”
On the list of things likely to be bought with the grant money are sewing machines, and equipment for physics and chemistry.
The project has 15 students and
next year, it’s hoped that 15 younger adolescents will come on board.
Of the first intake of students to eraduate from the alternative learn- ing system, all have gone on to some further form of education or training, including Leaving Cert studies and FETAC courses.
The other east Clare grant went to the East Clare Community Co-op, an umbrella organisation for communi- ty groups based in Scariff. The co-op could not be contacted for comment PLO OUI B DO Blom