Barnardos scheme - Education changes lives

IF the inauguration of President Obama represents hope on a grand scale, schemes like the Barnardos Brighter Futures initiative in the Cork city suburb of Knocknaheeny represents it on a local, active level.

The scheme’s objective is to break the cycle of poverty by putting education and social development in a more central place in the lives of the 97 children — aged between two and 11 — who will participate in it.

Poverty has stymied communities like this for generations and by creating an environment that will encourage these children to stay in education until they complete second level, the scheme offers real opportunity.