Giving back to children in need

TWO years ago, Ciaran Black, a retired school principal from Cork, made a life-changing decision.

After spotting an advert calling for teachers to volunteer and help educate children in The Gambia, he immediately signed up and has never looked back.

“It is tremendously satisfying,’’ he says. “I fly out every September and stay until July. I have one aim: If I can teach one girl to read then I consider the journey a success. She will hopefully pass that skill on to her own children too, in later life.’’