Sometimes members of staff chose a different career path; as did Sister Celine.

The school organises a raffle for Brazil each year, under the inspiring guidance of Ms Clare Doyle.

December 2005 was a peak performance!  2506 euro was raised. A big WELL DONE to all.

Sister Celine’s letter December 2005.

Warm greetings from the Southern Hemisphere!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost upon us once again! This time of year always brings to mind special thoughts of my family, communities and friends. We're having an extremely hot summer; we're sizzling in blistering heat these days- not exactly seasonal weather!! It's a far cry from the cold, dark days of winter in Ireland! While Brazil has not suffered the ravages of earthquakes or tornadoes (like other countries) the north-east is once again experiencing terrible drought and misery. Parts of the Amazon basin have dried up and the native farming and fishing population is on the move. The television coverage of these forced migrations, as well as the destruction of fish and wild life, is pretty devastating.

This year, our political scene took a turn for the worst! President Lula, who was the great hope of the land-less, the unemployed and generally marginalized groups, has been found to be surrounded by a team of corrupt and ambitious ministers. While he, personally, has not been accused of any wrongdoing the image of his Party (Workers ') has been destroyed and his credibility is at an all-time low. The economy, which had been doing very well, has been affected by the political fall-out and by an out-break of foot and mouth disease in the south of the country. Many countries have ceased trading with Brazil until the disease has been fully eradicated.

At his time of year I'm busy preparing the Graduation ceremony for 125 adults (six classes) who participated in the Adult Literacy Project since March and have achieved basic literacy and numeric skills. All of these will be enrolled in the public schools next year. Recently there was a report on TV here about the high standard of education in Ireland and Spain, showing how their economies improved as a result of investment in education. The educational system in Brazil leaves much to be desired - poorly paid teachers, lack of good resource material; equipment, absenteeism etc. lead to increased illiteracy in the country.

The Co-operative on the city dump (where over 400 families eke out an existence scavenging through rubbish) is going well. Early this year we began to recycle paper gathered from the dump- our Christmas cards this year have been made with this paper! We hope to sell this paper to the loca1 "private" schools to be used at their art and craft classes. These cards are our first efforts and are made by the Monitors of the literacy project. At present we are trying to market them here and in Ireland! This little industry is giving new life, hope, dignity and a small income to the dump workers as well as raising awareness about care of the earth. We’re still producing yard brushes at the co-operative made from recycled plastic mineral bottles!

It was wonderful meeting so many of you during the summer, and my apologies to those I missed or just met briefly - it's not easy to get around to seeing everyone. My sincere thanks, for your generous donations and the time and effort put into fund raising events on behalf of our Mercy mission here. I was overwhelmed by your continued support and generosity. Be assured that your donations are being put to the best possible use in helping to give dignity and quality of life to many people here who suffer from extreme poverty and misery.

May the Christmas story continue to remind us that "A little with God is a lot, and a 1ot without God is little." (Brazilian Proverb). Wishing you peace, joy and happiness this Christmas and May 2006 bring good health and many blessings your way!

Best Wishes;

Celine.