Lena to get spirit community award
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE CHARITIBLE activities of a local secondary school student will be recognised at the Pramerica Spirit of Community Awards later this month, where she has made it onto the list of 20 finalists nationwide who will be honoured at the awards ceremony.
Lena Goumaa, from Crumlin, is a Junior Certificate student in St Paul’s Secondary School in Greenhills, and has been involved in a number of charitable endeavours, including public speaking at events and helping to support young Syrian refugees.
Lena also carries out volunteer work with the Amal Women Association, the Islamic foundation of Ireland and Islamic Relief.
Tracy Weldon, who is a teacher in St Paul’s, told The Echo: “Lena is a student who encompasses the spirit of our school, ‘omnibus omnia’ – all things to all people, and we are immensely proud of her.”
Mudafar Al-Tawash of the Islamic Foundation of Ireland said: “Lena is always available and eager to help in any of the community services and that includes assisting with the refugees and those in need.
“She is very mannerly, kind at heart and always willing to assist others. She is very reliable when it comes to time, attendance and [has] proved herself to be pleasant and trustworthy.”
The altruistic schoolgirl will be awarded a silver medallion and a cheque for €500 at the awards ceremony, which will take place in the Aviva Stadium on March 23.
Two of the 20 finalists will be selected to receive €1,000, a gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their school and an all-expenses paid trip to the United States in May to participate in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards ceremony.
