Qrendi Group Scout Leader participates in "Save the Oceans" project held in Cahersiveen, Ireland

Five members from the Scout Association of Malta, led by David Schembri from the International Desk and Qrendi Group Scout Leader, participated in the EU Youth project organized by the Cahersiveen and Valentia Youth Clubs entitled “Save our Oceans”, held in Cahersiveen, Ireland between the 1st and 5th November 2005.

Mark Borg, Andre’ Brincat and Joanne Ellul, all from St Aloysius Scout Group, joined Krista Borg from San Gwann Scout Group to form the Maltese Scout Contingent.

Cahersiveen town, Capital of the Iveragh Peninsula, is located half way round the renowned “Ring of Kerry”, the most scenically beautiful drive in Western Europe and lies at the foot of Beentee Mountain, on the river Fertha overlooking Valentia Harbour.

Greeted at the Ring of Kerry hotel with a Cead mile Failte, the "famous Cahersiveen Welcome" by the local hosts, male and female youths from Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Malta, Netherlands and, Lebanon were soon made to feel most welcomed at this extremely picturesque part of the emerald isle.

Located within a small fishing and farming community with very limited resources, the Cahersiveen and Valentia Youth Clubs rose to the occasion, utilizing local synergy and exhibiting great teamwork to organise a most fruitful environmental project, whilst creating a greater appreciation and awareness of the local and international marine issues.

Local entities such as the Kerry County Council, ACARD, and EPA representatives also gave short presentations to the foreign guests, whilst Mr. James Casey, a local historian, elaborated on the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Results of Beach surveys carried out in “Blue Flag Beaches” and “Non Blue Flag Beaches” from the visiting countries were exhibited and discussed in various workshops were followed by a “physical cleanup” of a nearby beach.

Later in the week, the foreign participants we given the opportunity to visit the renowned Ring of Kerry., a most beautiful coach trip bringing one closer to the ocean, rivers, hills, woods, country life and rich cultural heritage that makes up the respective Irish towns and villages.

But what made the project; “a truly wonderful Irish experience” was not only the fine Hotel and its splendid staff, the project itself and the local cultural and historical environment, but the warmth and charm of the Irish inhabitants themselves, who all gave their utmost to make their guests feel as part of them, “a family and maybe more”.

“There are not many words of thanks that can express ones’ gratitude for such wonderful Irish hospitality” remarked most of the participants whilst bidding farewell to the Cahersiveen and Valentia Youth club members, namely Mary, Anne, Tish, Martina, Brian, Shilbon and Cornelia, congratulating them on a job Well Done.