The Us Embassy in Dublin  decided to do it’s part this week by finding 40 American students and volunteers to refurbish Ireland’s largest women’s refuge. Located in Rathmines, the refuge can provide accommodation to up to 10 families at a time and has been instrumental in aiding victims of domestic violence since 1986.

The well needed transformation was a joint project organised by Localise, the Youth and Community development Organisation and the Us Embassy. Together they called on exchange students from Notre Dame University, embassy staff and members of Irelands US Alumni Association. The joint project was a complete refurbishment of the garden and playground as well as improvements inside the building.

Derek Cleary, Director of Localise remarked “The makeover illustrates just what can be achieved when young people decide to volunteer their time and give something back to the community. The benefit to the centre can be seen physically in the work undetaken but those who gave their time also gained significantly from the empowerment of volunteering and helping out”