More over-50s are volunteering to work abroad. But it's not because of a mid-life crisis - they are focusing on others, not themselves, writes Jennifer May.
Taking a gap year to travel or volunteer in some remote destination is popular with Irish people, and many of us know someone currently doing just that. But an increasing percentage of those travelling to remote and often dangerous locations to work as volunteers for charities are in their 50s and older.
With Irish charities now working in almost every corner of the globe, more and more older people are using their skills garnered in the course of their careers, and travelling to impoverished and war-torn countries to re-build communities, teach children, nurse the sick and the dying, implement feeding and sanitation programmes, and offer support to those in need.
But are these older people able to offer as much as their younger and sometimes fitter, counterparts?
According to Malcolm Quigley, head of the Irish branch of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), a worldwide organisation that recruits more than 1,600 volunteers every year, they can offer at least as much, if not more.
"What older people bring is the years of experience they have had in their particular area of expertise," says Quigley. "We will not accept volunteers until they have at least two years' work experience in their chosen field, so of course we benefit from the knowledge of the older applicant."
Quigley puts the increase in the numbers offering their services down to improved financial security and the pace of modern life taking its toll.
For the older volunteers, many of whom have reared their families and have time on their hands, it is an opportunity to give something back, leave their mark and do something meaningful.
The three people featured here decided to take on voluntary work, and each one reports it to have been the most enriching and affirming experience of their lives.
George Cierens went Kosovo, Iraq and Africa
George Cierans (61) from Limerick took semi-retirement from his high-powered management consultancy job two years ago to "spend more time playing golf".He found himself bored, so when the charity Goal asked him to lend his services as a financial controller in Kosovo for four weeks, he immediately decided to take the opportunity.
"They had a need and I was able to fill it," says Cierans, "it was as simple as that - a week later I was on the plane." That month turned into four and, after he finished in Kosovo, Cierans travelled to Iraq where, as the first NGO in Nasseriah, Goal worked on restoring water, sanitation and health care to the area. Cierans was deeply touched by the plight of the Iraqi people: "They were wonderful, fun -loving people, and they were suffering hugely, desolated by war, but they bore their pain so gracefully."
Cierans had discovered a new role and a new resolve - to commit himself to voluntary work. For the past two years he has spent about nine out of every 12 months working with Goal in various parts of the world. He still has some business commitments in Ireland but his priorities have changed, and he is no longer driven by the desire for big money or recognition in the corporate world. His family are behind him, although they are sometimes nervous for his personal safety. His wife Teresa spends time with him whenever possible.
"It is not easy being apart from Teresa, but given the opportunity I will take her with me, although obviously sometimes this is impossible. My children are proud of me but they sometimes say, 'OK dad, make this the last one'. It is so rewarding working for Goal. When you see what a difference you can make to the lives of these people, your own problems become immaterial."
He has since travelled to Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Mozambique and Angola with Goal using his particular skills to re-evaluate and consolidate their programmes, adapting them as appropriate to meet the changing needs of the communities they are working with. Often he may find himself in areas of instability, but the tragedies faced by the local people make worries for his own safety seem less important. In Afghanistan in June-July 2004 when evacuating local people, he and his fellow volunteers were unable to get out, but, he says, the generosity of the Afghan people was an inspiration.
Cierans is full of praise for the tenacity and strength of character of his co-workers.
"The camaraderie of the other Goalies is remarkable," he says. "They have a capacity for joy even in the most horrendous circumstances." Perhaps it is this spirit that enables "Goalies" to be first on the coalface of some of the most devastating tragedies the world has seen in recent years - Cierans seems to think so: "The support of your co-workers carries you through the difficult times - they are a remarkable group of people."
Cierans, a proud grandfather of four, plans to carry on working with Goal for as long as he can make a contribution. Does he still play golf? Cierans laughs: "Absolutely not - these days you're much more likely to find me coaching an Iraqi football team!"
Brendan Jones went to India
Brendan Jones (57) lived in Spain for 13 years, but after the break-up of a long-term relationship, he came back to Ireland in 1997. However, the Dublin he found on his return was not one with which he felt comfortable. "I found Irish people incredibly changed," says Jones, "They seemed to have lost touch with what was important - in many ways, for many people, money had become the new God."
Jones had travelled in India many times, and had been touched by what he had seen. "I met people who had absolutely nothing, but had such spirit and heart - the warmest, kindest, happiest people I have ever met. When I started to compare the 'haves' in the West to the 'have-nots' in countries like India, I decided I wanted to help those less fortunate than myself."
Jones's decision was helped somewhat by his new-found belief in Buddhism - he had spent time over the years studying in McLeod Ganj, the home in exile of the Dalai Lama and converted to the faith in 2002. Two years ago Jones took the step that has changed his life forever.
He sorted out his affairs in Ireland, packed up and flew to Dharmsala where he presented himself to the Louisiana Himalayan Association and offered his services as a teacher: he was accepted immediately and he began teaching English to refugee Buddhist monks, an experience he found humbling.
"The courage of the Tibetan people is a great leveller," Jones explains. "Many of them walked over the mountains from remote regions of Tibet, often with no food or water for weeks, to be near their spiritual leader. Their gentleness and bravery is so inspiring."
In Dharmsala Jones also worked with lepers, rebuilding houses, changing bandages and looking after the needs of the community. "The lepers were very gracious - they never complained and didn't shove their misery in your face; they have great fortitude and humility, many saving the little bit of money they get begging to put their children through school."
Jones has now moved onto a new project. An old friend of his, Sri Lankan Enthy Lingam, has set up a charity called New Dawn, and is establishing hostels for homeless children in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Jones has been invited to work on the venture, and, he says, he thought about the offer for about two minutes before accepting. The project is at its inception, but a lot has already been achieved with three hostels up-and-running in Tamil Nadu, serving the needs of approximately 26 children.
Jones was recently back in Ireland fundraising for the venture and left for Sri Lanka in early March to oversee the project. Does he have any regrets? "My only regret is that I didn't do this years ago," Jones says. "I don't miss the luxuries in life whatsoever. All I have is my backpack and my music and that is all I need."
What about the security that most of us wish for in our latter years? Jones smiles: "What is security - a roof over our heads? I know that wherever I am, however old I am, something will always happen for me. That's all the security I need."
Elizabeth O'Leary went to Moldova
Elizabeth O'Leary (50) from Cork felt compelled to travel to Moldova five years ago after reading a newspaper article about the conditions children faced in the country's orphanages. What she saw shocked her.
"The children were living in horrific circumstances," O'Leary explains. "There was no plumbing, no bedding, hardly any food - the children were malnourished, their stomachs swollen with hunger; they had scabies and bedsores. When you looked into their eyes you could see the longing for love and affection. I couldn't believe that human beings could treat each other like that."
When O'Leary was in Moldova she met a young woman, Suzanne O'Connell, a medical student, who was also observing the conditions in the orphanages. On her return to Cork, O'Connell contacted her to say that she was starting a charity, Outreach Moldova, and asked for her support. O'Leary didn't hesitate.
"Suzanne was so compassionate - she saw their need and was determined to do something about it," says O'Leary. "She has achieved remarkable things in the past few years. The children see her as their guardian angel."
O'Leary has been back to the orphanage in Hinceste five times, spending on average five months a year caring for the children, many of whom are disabled. She works with them five days a week and takes them on outings to the beach which, she says, act as a gentle introduction back into society.
The changes she has witnessed in that time have been immense: the orphanage has been renovated - there are wheelchairs, food, and thanks to medical interventions such as physiotherapy, many of the children who were unable to speak or walk properly are now making great progress.
An education programme has also been set up and the 300 children living in the orphanage now have access to education.
Outreach Moldova is also building an orphanage that will care for 100 babies later on this year.
But while things have improved there is still a lot of work to be done. Most of the children will find themselves in state mental institutions when they reach a certain age.
Outreach Moldova is trying to raise funds to build independent housing to ensure that these children have a future.
O'Leary's husband and two daughters are behind her in this venture and understand how much the children mean to her. She says very little about her own role, but is full of praise for the other people who give their time to these children.
"People are just so fantastic," she says, "One young man from Dublin came out to do plumbing for two weeks and stayed for four years - the children inspire people - they give such unconditional love." O'Leary is going back to Moldova in May and she will stay until next October. She looks forward to going and says she feels lonely away from the children.
"When I first went out for two weeks it was so upsetting I couldn't wait to come home," she laughs. "Now Hinceste feels like home - what used to be an orphanage full of tears is now an orphanage full of laughter."
