Carrigboy National School

Lenten Campaign For Sister Goretti

Helen Burke (Principal) with Father Liam Crowley and Sr. Goretti Ward

Sr. Goretti Ward of Droumreagh visited her Alma Mater, Carrigboy National School, on Friday last to launch the school's 2009 Lenten Campaign. Sr. Goretti, nee Mary Ward, started school in Carrigboy in 1939. Having finished school, she joined the Mercy Order of nuns and spent her life as a nursing sister and matron of Carlow Hospital. On retiring from her life of hospital service, she went to work in Nuu in Kenya, a remote area north east of Nairobi. There, the people christened her 'Mutanu' which means: "the Joyful One". Her work is totally involved with the poor, including: feeding programmes, tending to the sick, AIDS/HIV orphans and education. She firmly believes that when people are educated they can travel the world. Sr. Goretti has a little white Suzuki van which she uses to visit the poor and the sick in the area. She packs it up with food, medicine, water and sometimes clothes. She also brings the Blessed Sacrament. An interpreter travels with her and off they go into the Bush. Sr. Goretti is passionate about her work and would be very grateful for any help which we could give to improve school conditions of the children of Nuu. All in Carrigboy N.S. are very proud of its past pupil and are delighted to assist her in her wonderful work.