Read the latest news from Northern Ireland and Conway Mill Trust – Conway Mill Trust Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 4 December 2010 To view past editions, visit our Media page.

Also, Check out this Special Report:
Thursday, November 25th, 2010 marks the official launch of the newly refurbished Conway Mill in West Belfast! Click Here for More Information

Good luck and best wishes for a future filled with much success and prosperity.

Board of Trustees of
Conway Mill Trust Inc.
Pittsburgh, PA  USA

Margaret Brady, GCSE History Student

Margaret is a senior citizen. She introduced herself by way of a letter to Conway Mill Trust. In her letter, Margaret writes,”I am age 59 years and recently retired because of ill health. So, coming to Conway Mill has done me the world of good and learning a subject which I love from a great teacher. I have always loved History but didn’t have much chance at school. I left at 15 years to go to work. Conway Mill has given me an opportunity which I never would have had, and getting the bursary was just great. I am very thankful to the people who made this possible for me and others.”

Brendan Hanvey, GCSE Math Student

Brendan writes, “I am 21 years old and am the eldest of six children. I currently work at a nursing home as a care assistant, providing care for the elderly, terminally ill and disabled. I have my NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, and I wish to pursue a career in nursing. I would like to attend Queens University Belfast. I heard from a few friends at work that Conway Education Centre offered great opportunities such as Math classes, which suited me, as I was able to balance my work and education. I am currently in the middle of my Math course and enjoying it. I find it a good, friendly learning environment and feel like I do not struggle with the subject as I would have in the past, thanks to the support I have been given. I would really like to thank Conway Mill Trust for the support of the bursary. It has been a big help to me, and I really appreciate it.”

Niall Montgomery, GCSE History Student

Niall is a home-schooled 17-year old who is taking his first steps in formal education. His mother learned of the course, and encouraged Niall to enroll. Niall’s father also had taken classes at Conway Education Centre. Because of his age, Niall was eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance which when combined with the Mary Mannion Merit Grant bursary enabled him to take the History course. Niall says, “I am doing well. I have a great teacher, and I want to continue my education.”

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Deborah O'Sullivan, GCSE English Student

Deborah, now 19 years old, first took the GCSE English course during her regular secondary schooling about five years ago but failed because of, from her perspective, a poor teacher. She never had a chance to take the course again until she heard about Conway Education Centre and was advised she could take the course there. She also learned she might be able to get help with the cost through a merit grant program from Conway Mill Trust. Deborah enthusiastically said to Conway Mill Trust representatives, “You have given me a second chance! I applied and was accepted plus I received financial help through your program. I have a wonderful teacher and definitely would recommend the Conway Education Centre to anyone. I am doing well in the class and expect to get my certificate in May.” Deborah currently works part-time and wants to become an accountant.

Anne Marie Tully, GCSE English Student

Anne Marie is a single mom whose goal is to improve her skills in order to pursue better employment opportunities.  Anne writes, “Thank you so much for helping me with the cost of the two bursaries. It has been a great help to me as I would not have been able to commit to obtain my GCSE certificates without your much-appreciated help.”

Mary Mannion

The Conway Mill Trust Board has announced that it is creating a financial aid grant program designed to assist returning students to complete their high school equivalency certification.

The program aims to help students 19 years of age and older who have not completed secondary education to achieve General Course Secondary Education (GCSE) certification.

The program develops math, English and history knowledge and enhances the job opportunities for these young adults. Adult students who are not on any benefits have difficulty paying for GCSEs, which usually cost £150.00 through Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC).

An initial grant has been allocated by the Conway Mill Trust Board to cover the costs for full programs for two and perhaps even more students this fall. The grant program is named after retired educator Mary Mannion, who has spent a lifetime teaching children throughout the U.S. Mary has also been very active in her support of Irish causes and is a member of the Conway Mill Trust Board in Pittsburgh.

“The funding from this program will help to give our young people, especially our women, a much better opportunity to complete their education,” said Pauline Kersten of the Conway Mill Education Centre. “The opportunities provided by these funds will surely mean that some of our young men and women will now be better prepared to find employment that otherwise would have eluded them.”

The Mary Mannion Merit Grant has been established by the Conway Mill Trust Board, but local control over the distribution of its grants has been built into its structure. The Education Centre at Conway Mill in Belfast will have the responsibility to screen the applicants for the grants and to make the actual grant awards. Responsibility for raising sufficient funds will reside with the Conway Mill Trust in the U.S.

These preliminary grants are just the beginning of what is anticipated to be a much broader effort by the Conway Mill Trust Board to raise funds for these educational purposes. “We feel that the time is right to give our assistance with these pressing educational needs in whatever way we can,” said Conway Mill Trust President Bob Kaniecki. “I would like to call on our supporters to make whatever contribution that they can to help us in these important efforts.”

The Conway Mill Trust Board plans to monitor the progress of these grants and to look toward the classes in the fall of 2009 as a time when it will expand the number of grants available for awards. Outreach to other Irish American organizations, individual donors and supporters is expected to become a major effort for the Conway Mill Trust Board in the year ahead.