Limerick Firm Supports New Disability Centre in Kenya

A recycling company based in Limerick, Ireland, is set to support the construction of a new disability centre in Bamba, Kenya, scheduled for next year. Clean Ireland Recycling is contributing essential materials such as timber, door locks, hinges, and electrical sockets for the facility, which aims to serve hundreds of children and adults with disabilities. Shipments of these materials are already en route to Kenya from Cork Port.

The initiative is a collaboration with the Irish charity Project ESPWA. Brian Lyons, managing director of Clean Ireland Recycling and father of a child with disabilities, plans to travel to Bamba with a group of volunteers in February 2024 to assist in completing the centre. Lyons emphasized the personal connections that drive this project, particularly the influence of long-time ESPWA volunteer Pat Barry and board member Dan Ducey.

Founded in 2010, Project ESPWA, which means “hop” in Haitian Creole, has been actively involved in crisis-affected communities across the globe. Each year, skilled volunteers from Ireland travel to Kenya to construct schools, provide clean water, and support local initiatives. Lyons expressed admiration for their impactful work, recalling inspiring stories such as the establishment of a school in Shirango, Kenya, and the moment locals witnessed clean water flowing from a new borehole for the first time.

Lyons noted that this partnership exemplifies how local businesses can effect meaningful change globally. “We are not just providing materials,” he stated, “but also hope and opportunity to some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities.”

Clean Ireland Recycling has over 35 years of experience in waste management services across Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary. The award-winning company has a commendable track record of supporting charitable projects both domestically and internationally, merging professional expertise with a commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

This initiative reflects a growing trend among businesses to engage in philanthropic efforts that extend beyond their local communities, highlighting the role of corporate social responsibility in addressing global challenges. As the project moves forward, it promises to make a significant impact in Bamba, providing vital resources and support to those in need.