IT’S hard to imagine when you come back from holiday and find you’re left with a small amount of currency other than Euros that the few notes or coins could make a big difference.
But in 15 years, collecting those small amounts has made a $15 million difference to the lives of people in Zambia.
Aer Lingus cabin crew member based in Shannon, Liz Mangan, told the Limerick Post, that she is “very proud” to be involved with the UNICEF/Aer Lingus ‘Change for Good’ charity programme. Aer Lingus cabin crew hold an in-flight collection on transatlantic flights so that passengers can donate any foreign currency they may have left.
“Our passengers are so generous and the few dollars they may have left make such a difference to the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children,” said Liz, from the Ennis Road, who has just returned from Zambia where she saw first hand the projects which the partnership has funded. .
“Back in 1999, I was asked by UNICEF to make a visit to Zambia to see the incredible work that UNICEF was doing”.
Having just made a return trip, she said she wanted to “take this opportunity to tell people about the difference that they are making every time they donate to UNICEF onboard an Aer Lingus flight”.
This February, Liz made her way back to Zambia to see a country that still faces many challenges, “but there has most certainly been progress.
Texting technology is now being used in health clinics in even the most rural of areas throughout Zambia. It means testing and access to treatment now happens much faster than in the past. The rural health clinic that UNICEF supports is run by Sr. Jane. It’s very basic but they have all the medical supplies they need to keep mothers and Aer Lingus cabin crew member babies healthy”.
Another project close to Liz’s heart is the Malnutrition ward in Lusaka University Teaching Hospital, where she met baby Christine. “She made me cry. Christine was 13 months old and she looked about three months old. But she’s in the right place now”.
In the ward, children receive special therapeutic feeding funded by UNICEF and there are also classes for mothers to teach them about good nutrition and diet for their children.
“I am happy to report there is progress, real lives are being saved and being given hope for the future,” said Liz.
“On behalf of everyone involved in the Aer Lingus/UNICEF partnership and all the children whose lives have been changed to the people who made this possible through their donations, no matter how large or small, I want to say a very big thank you – ‘Zikomo’ as they say in Zambia”.
