Nigerian Students Share their Experience of Ireland
Sixteen students of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Nigeria visited Ireland last August, led by Sr. Agnes Adepoju, OLA. The group took part in a 'Youth Leadership for Life' conference and visited a number of locations across Ireland including Ardfoyle Convent. Here Asaka Ewere and Adaghe Shekinah share some thoughts on their visit.
Students of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School pictured with OLA Sisters in Ardfoyle, Cork.
The words of Albert Schweitzer could be as correct today as it was more than a century ago when he said, “so much to do, so little time.” “So much to do, so little time.” This was exactly how we felt at the end of our stay in Ireland because we were wrapped up in so many life changing activities that we did not even notice that time was passing quickly.
Our names are Asaka Ewerechukwu and Adaghe Shekinah and we attend Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School Nigeria, a school we are proud to be associated with. So when we were chosen to be among the 16 students to go to Ireland we knew it was purely grace and we would be forever grateful for that opportunity.
We came to Ireland to attend the 2016 edition of the Albert Schweitzer's Youth Leadership for Life Conference. Our stay in Ireland was in two parts; first, the conference itself and second, the activities after the conference. We are proud to say that we were delegates at the 8th Annual Albert Schweitzer’s Youth Leadership for Life Conference because it was a refinery from which we came out better leaders. Our experiences in Ireland is one that would linger in our memory forever because it had a huge impact in our lives.
From the outside we looked like 70 delegates from 5 different countries but deep inside we were 70 friends whose immense bond cannot be broken. This is one of the reasons why it was an unforgettable experience; we made friends with like minds and goals and it is so amazing to be in a place filled with positive energy and to be with people who want to change the world.
After the conference we experienced a spiritual rejuvenation. Visiting the Our Lady of Apostle Sister’s convent at Ardfoyle in Cork City left a deep sense of appreciation in us. We were deeply touched seeing the Sisters who dedicated greater part of their life time to mission in Africa especially in Nigeria. We felt highly privileged to have met with these Sisters and we will remain ever grateful to them for they laid a solid platform for education in Nigeria. This platform they have laid was responsible for training our great grandmothers and grandmothers and we are still benefitting from it.
We were treated to a hospitable welcome and sumptuous meal which reflected the good heart of the Sisters. After that we paid a visit to the grave yard of the Sisters who have gone to the world beyond and prayed there especially the Sisters who have worked in Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School. We rounded off our visit by entertaining the Sisters with some African songs.
Furthermore, we visited Longford Cathedral where we attended Mass. We were shown all the renovations that took place after the cathedral was gutted by fire. We also saw some of the items that survived the fire, this include the statue of the holy family.
We ended our activities with a visit to the Knock Shrine where there was an apparition of Mary, Saint Joseph, John the Evangelist, Jesus as the Lamb of God and Angels. We had Mass and bought items to remind us of our visit to the holy land.
Sr. Agnes pictured at the Dáil with Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School students and Minister of State, Catherine Byrne, T.D.
The outstanding factor Ireland has as a country apart from beautiful sceneries is her hospitability. Every one we met greeted us with a warm smile and this proved that you do not need to be of the same race to have a connection. The tours to the museum and colleges showed me the history, struggles, transitions, beliefs and strengths of the Irish people. Meeting with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr, and Minister of State, Catherine Byrne, T.D., was our first experience with democratic leaders and it was enlightening.
The journey was definitely not rosy all the way but each challenge presented a learning field. Adjusting to the weather was a herculean task because the highest temperature there was 13 -15 degrees Celsius compared to the 17-25 degrees Celsius of Nigeria. Then the food was another challenge but we must give kudos to the Irish potatoes.
Our experience in Ireland was not only educational but also life changing because we were able to reckon with our deep Christian roots and better leaders.
Our dreams, hopes and future aspirations are to help build our society and by our way of life, affect positively the people around us with the leadership skills we have learnt. We left Ireland with a mission to educate the less privileged and we hope that one day we will have the opportunity to go back to Ireland and have more time with the Sisters and listen to their graced story.
Sr. Majella Mc Carron, OLA with students of Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School.
