Bolingbrook Teacher to Receive Award for Work in Liberia

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Brooks Middle School’s Kathy O’Dwyer will receive the St. Clare of Assisi Award at the third annual Franciscan Works Children of Hope benefit Oct. 22 at the Ukranian Cultural Center in Chicago.
O’Dwyer is being recognized for “her continuous effort in helping Franciscan Works and Liberia Mission flourish.”

The 6th grade social studies teacher first traveled to war-torn Liberia, West Africa in the summer of 2011, spending time working with the children and staff at St. Michael the Archangel School which is run by Franciscan Works. She has returned to the school every year since then.

“I’m a Franciscan and we believe in helping the poor. These are the poorest of the poor. They have no education. They have no infrastructure,” she said before her summer 2012 trip. “We believe that through education we can help people raise themselves up.”

Proceeds from the 6 p.m. Oct. 22 will support the education of the students O’Dwyer works with in Liberia. Tickets, at $50 each, may be purchased at www.harvestforhopechicago.org. A dinner and live music are included in the ticket price.

Franciscan Works is an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty around the world. The school was founded in the wake of a brutal civil war that ended more than 10 years ago. Students who attend are either orphans or come from single parent families.

“These students have seen horrors we can’t imagine, yet they are so loving and full of joy,” O’Dwyer said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to be a part of this.”

photo courtesy of Valley View School District 365U

Submitted by Valley View School District 365U