Generous spirit of young citizens

Sir, – We hear a lot about some of the Irish teenagers today, about their lack of interest in helping others, and their interest in their phones and social media. But many of today’s teenagers are so willing to help others in many ways, especially the less well-off in our world. Our grand-daughter Aoibhin McDonald (17) is in fifth year in Loreto College, Mullingar. A group called Heavenly Homes, led by John McAuley, are going out to a village in Tanzania for 2½ weeks in June. Aoibhin has volunteered to go with the group; she is one of three students going, the others are all adults. Each volunteer has a Go Fund Me link and they have to raise €2,000, which goes directly to the Heavenly Homes organisation, to be used in the village. Volunteers pay for their own flights, accommodation, inoculations, etc. It is wonderful to see young students volunteering and it will be an amazing experience for the three of them. Our family are very proud of Aoibhin. – Yours, etc,

SALLY McDONALD,

Ballinacarrig, Carlow.