Mandela praises legacy of Irish homebuilders

HEARTACHE proved a lot more painful than backache for the Irish volunteers who toiled for seven days to ensure 1,500 South Africans’ lives have been changed forever.

However, the aches and pains were eased considerably last night when each builder returned home from a celebration dinner to a personal letter from the man who has come to be known as the father of the nation:, Nelson Mandela.

In the letter, Mr Mandela said the legacy of the volunteers went far beyond housing.

“What has been achieved is an inspiration to all people who are trying to empower themselves after the apartheid years,” it said.

Earlier in the day, in a colourful community garden, which did not exist last Saturday, the 1,350 builders said goodbye to the people of Freedom Park Township with a soaring rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann.

The volunteer army had surpassed its target with a frantic final burst to overcome sickness and fatigue and complete 203 houses, a community centre and a public garden for the 2007 Niall Mellon Township Challenge.

At midday yesterday, Mr Mellon gathered all his workers together to break the news that the mission was successful.

“I am really proud that all around me here is such an amazing gift you all have given to the local community. This year I did not have the time to do what I most enjoy doing and that is meeting the people who come out here, but I can say I have been astounded by the magic that has happened here,” he said.

He said it was the most amazing moment in the charity’s five-year history to be surrounded wall to wall by Irish volunteers whose endeavour has allowed 203 families to move into their first home. As he spoke, the site was silent for the first time in seven days.

In their brightly coloured team T-shirts, the volunteers watched from vantage points on the roofs of houses which had only bare foundations before the blitz.

They then listened silently as a girl called Heidi, who can now move out of her shack, sang pitch perfectly through a megaphone.

“Now my heart is dancing through each day. My soul is running free,” she said.

Although 80% of her audience were male, many wept openly — some remembering the last week, others a lot more.

The camp’s chief medical officer Dr Judy White buried her husband’s ashes under a tree in the community garden and handed over three dedicated houses that were built from the proceeds of his funeral collection.

David “Whitey” White was on the blitz last year as a water carrier despite suffering from cancer of the bladder. He died at his home in Buckinghamshire in May, aged 57.

Former Armagh All-Star Enda McNulty was so taken after a visit to a local school he rallied teammates in blue for an impromptu whip-around.

Within hours there was enough money to kit out every class with a full range of sports equipment.

Elsewhere, teddy bears and clothes from Ireland were distributed among local children. In front of every other shack stood a child with a smile and a GAA county jersey.