Students and staff at Ardscoil na Mara welcomed Br. Eddie McCardle from Bolivia this week as part of the school’s growing connection with a support centre for vulnerable young people in South America.

Br. Eddie works with The Centro Hermano Manolo (CeHM) in Cochabamba, Bolivia, which supports around 80 niños trabajadores, working children and teenagers, in the busy La Cancha marketplace. Many of the young people are forced to work from an early age to help support themselves and their families.

Long working hours and difficult conditions often make it challenging for children to stay in education, limiting opportunities and increasing the risk of ongoing poverty.

The CeHM drop-in centre provides children with a safe and supportive environment where they can focus on schoolwork while receiving academic and psycho-social support. The project also offers personal development programmes, technical training and family support services.

Social workers and psychologists at the centre work closely with each child to ensure they feel valued and supported while helping them overcome individual challenges.

The project also supports parents and caregivers, helping strengthen family relationships and encouraging continued engagement in education. Staff regularly work with teachers to ensure schoolwork is being completed and students remain connected to their education.

Children attending the centre are also provided with a nutritious daily meal, supporting both their physical wellbeing and sense of belonging.

Ardscoil na Mara fundraiser

Ardscoil na Mara has developed a strong relationship with the centre through Edmund Rice Development. At Christmas, the school raised €1,000 to support the organisation’s work with vulnerable young people in Bolivia.

Edmund Rice Development supports sustainable development projects working with marginalised communities by facilitating funding, building capacity and encouraging collaboration through the shared Edmund Rice ethos.