We recently received both an update and an appeal from Pauline Kersten, Manager of the Conway Education Centre in West Belfast:
“Conway Education Centre is still going strong with a dedicated team of volunteers, staff and management committee members.
Over 560 children, young people and adult learners attend Conway Education Centre for courses and workshops to develop their skills, get support with their education and improve their confidence. More than 200 adult learners achieve qualifications in Maths, English, IT, Business Administration and other subjects.
Thanks also to the support of our friends in America, we were able to keep our Family Learning Project open when government funding stopped in October 2013. We are delighted to let you know we have now been awarded funding from the organisation ‘Children in Need’ which will keep the project going until June 2016.
In contrast to the positive atmosphere in Conway Education Centre are the dark clouds of government funding budget cuts. Last week we were informed that the community sector in West Belfast will be cut severely, with some organisations losing up to 40% of their funding. The project we would like to request your help for is a practical one:
Some of the tools in our wood workshop, essential for the furniture restoration training of our young people, are worn out and need to be replaced.
In addition, repairs are needed on our Pillar Drill and Circular Saw because both switches are still “tripping”. The purchase of new equipment and the needed repairs are costly and we would respectfully ask your help in this. The total amount we need to raise is £1800 ($3,100). Could you help?
If you would like to assist, simply click the DONATE button to donate securely online through PayPal using your checking account or credit card. Note on your PayPal transaction that you wish your donation to go to CEC wood workshop.
With warm regards and many thanks for your support,
Pauline Kersten
