By John Harrington
Wicklow football manager and former Armagh star, Oisín McConville, is encouraging GAA members to help children caught in conflicts by supporting Trócaire’s Christmas appeal.
It’s a cause that’s very close to his heart because in 2019 he visited Palestine with Trócaire and saw at first-hand the harsh deprivations suffered by children trapped in conflict zones.
A bad situation has become so much worse in recent weeks as fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas militants has led to a humanitarian crisis.
Trócaire, an official charity partner of the GAA in 2023, is working hard on the ground to help those affected, and McConville hopes Irish people can help them raise the funds they desperately need.
“It's obviously a very worthy cause to support,” he told GAA.ie “I was acutely aware what was happening in Gaza and the West Bank since my trip in 2019 but a lot of people wouldn't have been until it has come very much back into the spotlight now.
“Believe me, the money that Trócaire raise is going to the right place and it's helping the people. This Christmas it's just so important we all put our shoulders to the wheel and give what we can.
"The conditions were pretty horrendous in Gaza when I visited in 2019. There were so many derelict buildings and things like sanitation, water, and electrical supply were all very much at a premium.
“It would sort of keep you away at night thinking about how bad things were in 2019 and now much it has escalated since.
“Obviously I got to know a few people when I was out there and checking in on them is difficult to do because the levels of communication are really poor. Even finding out if they're still alive is very challenging.
“It's pretty devastating, especially having the memories of being there. I was actually there just a bit before Christmas so some of the memories are starting to flash up as photos as my phone. It's just really hard to look at.”
Wicklow senior football team manager and former Armagh footballer, Oisín McConville, pictured playing Gaelic football with young Palestinian refugees in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem.
2023 marks Trócaire’s 50th year in operation thank to the unwavering support of the Irish public.
Conflicts such as those in Gaza, Urkraine, and South Sudan are very much in the public eye, but Trócaire also works in around 20 other countries worldwide supporting communities living in extreme poverty.
Funds raised from their Christmas appeal will help rush survival kits, emergency dignity kids, and essential food baskets to those who need them most, as well as continue to support critical work across Trócaire’s global programmes.
“This year's appeal is to help the 450 million kids across the world who are affected by conflict which is an absolutely staggering number," says McConville.
“I know there's a massive microscope on what's happening in Gaza at the minute and rightfully so, but this is a worldwide problem.
“Especially if you have children yourself, I would encourage you to give something, even if it's only a little, because for these people a little means a lot.
“I’ve seen Trócaire do all sorts of great work on the ground and now in places like Gaza it’s pure humanitarian aid that’s needed.
“It’s about feeding these people and trying to get them water to drink which is something we all take for granted.”
- Help children caught in conflict this Christmas by donating to Trócaire HERE.