| The
Community of Hope began in 1993 when two
Columban Sisters and a group of
student-volunteers discovered many children in
the area with special needs and decided to try
to help them.With the co-operation of their
parents, a Centre was set up in a room given by
the diocese, but it was small, with no playing
space for the children. As time went on
and the Centre became known, the limited space
became seriously overcrowded.In June 2002, the
children and the staff moved to a new Centre in
an open area with green trees, fresh air, space
for classes within and for play outside.
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Sister Ann Breen
with some of her friends in the Centre.
It is a quiet area
where there is no danger from traffic and at the
same time is easily accessible. There is a
warm and home-like atmosphere which has already
made a difference to the children and their
families.
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Sister
Ann writes: 'This development was made possible because of the
generosity of many good friends who responded to our request for help so
that the children migh have an environment where they could have the
best possible opportunity for development. The work is ongoing and is
now moving towards being community-centered, so that the children and their
families will become fully accepted and cherished members of their local
community'.
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