Volunteers and organisations have been awarded grants through the Fisher Foundation to support overseas development projects, with funding helping deliver practical assistance and community-led initiatives across Africa, Asia and beyond.
Since its establishment in 2003 in memory of Bertie, Mark and Emma Fisher, the Fisher Foundation has supported more than 500 people from Fermanagh to volunteer overseas. These grants have enabled local people to contribute to international projects while also gaining valuable personal experience and skills. To date, the Foundation has distributed well over £550,000, administered by the Fermanagh Trust.
This year’s grants support a wide range of work in education, health, community development and youth engagement.
(L-R) Glenda Magee and her daughter Erin, Sow2Reap Trust, Ernie Fisher Chairman of the Fisher Foundation, Roy Taylor Sow2Reap Trust and Barney O’Loughlin Mellon Educate
Among individual recipients, Jonathan Reeve will travel to Mexico with AMOR, taking his two children to help build a home for a family in need. Mary Slevin returns for her sixth year with Mellon Educate in South Africa, working on school construction and refurbishment. Barney O’Loughlin marks his seventeenth year with the same programme, while Adrian McGovern continues more than two decades of involvement in building and upgrading school facilities in Cape Town. Ann McCann also returns to Mellon Educate projects, continuing long-term volunteering supported previously by the Foundation.
Eithne McNulty will work in Teso, Uganda, supporting projects focused on orphans and women’s leadership, alongside partnership evaluation. Niamh Campbell will travel to the USA with Cities for Kids, delivering youth and children’s programmes in partnership with local churches.
Ruth McKane will travel to Gambia, where she will assist with food distribution, basic health checks and support for sponsored children and families. Pat Maguire will take part in a waste reduction programme in Livingstone, Zambia, with African Impact Foundation.
Organisations also supported include Sow2Reap Trust, whose 12-person team will run children’s day camps in Moshi, Tanzania, carry out repairs and deliver essential supplies to a local centre. Fields of Life will continue work in Uganda, including sanitation facilities, farming initiatives and classroom support following last year’s borehole project.
The Leprosy Mission NI will support the Olikanassa Project in Mozambique, focusing on early diagnosis, treatment, healthcare training and food security. CMS Ireland will deliver leadership and training programmes, preparing 24 participants for placements across Africa and Asia.
Ernie Fisher, Chairman of the Fisher Foundation, said, “We are continually inspired by the commitment shown by volunteers and organisations from across Fermanagh. Their work brings real benefit to communities overseas while reflecting the values of compassion and service. We are proud to support this year’s recipients and wish them every success in the projects ahead.”
Applications for the Fisher Foundation close annually on 28th February. For more information, CLICK HERE