Indira Initiative Limerick

Indira Initiative Limerick is a non -profit charitable organisation, based at 72 O’Connell Street, in the heart of Limerick City, it offers assistance to parents in Limerick city and surrounding areas to provide for the educational requirements of their children in both primary and secondary school. The goal of its educational program is to encourage children through its homework club to achieve their full potential at school. The focus is slightly different at each level depending of the child’s requirements: whether its providing school books and uniforms at low cost, facilitating the homework club they offer on their premises or outreach work with the local schools, but the goal remains the same; to empower children to make positive changes through education with Indira Initiative’s support.
The Indira Initiative Limerick outreach program involves pairing a parent with an outreach worker for 2 months; during that time they participate in twice weekly planned meetings to strengthen the relationship between the two, looking at the causes and effects of their situation and then structure a feasible plan to aid them. .
They facilitate hair and beauty skills courses once a week for mothers and daughters as well as beauty care students which have proven to be a popular bonding experience. They’re also currently initiating an outreach project with the Knocknasheen Asylum centre through one of our tutors who was formally an asylum seeker and now studying in L.I.T
Indira Initiative Limerick accepts donations of second hand clothing (adult and children) as well as school uniforms and Communion and Confirmation clothing. They also take in books, DVDS, toys, accessories and shoes. All donated stock is sold to raise funds because as a charity they’re totally dependent on donations from the public and is available to view on its Facebook page as well as in store at 72 O’Connell Street. They also sell Communion and Confirmation clothing to parents who are in need for a fraction of the price.
They organise an annual Winter Food Run with the great participation of schools in Limerick. The food hamper run encourages children to donate one item from a list of non perishable foods which are then packed as a hamper and distributed to those struggling to make ends meet through Christmas.
Indira Initiative Limerick also acts as a central donation dropping point for NOVAS in the city. Bedding and food are needed and once received; they arrange to take the donations to the Brother Russell House on Mulgrave Street.
At the moment they have 20 volunteers, all offering their valuable time and service for free and contributing in different areas within the organisation. Indira Initiative’s aim regarding its volunteers would be to give them a sense of achievement and participation within their own community and a sense of pride and fulfilment within their role giving people hope as Indira Gandhi once did when she stood up for her beliefs and helped her people.

For more info go to www.facebook.com/IndiraInitiative