‘Not all of us can do big things. But we can do small things with great love.’ This was Mother Teresa’s philosophy. That is the philosophy the pupils of Kilmurry NS decided to emulate when they heard that they could make a difference to the Health Service frontline workers with the smallest of items.
Sometimes indeed, it’s the little things that can make a big difference and that is certainly true with ear protectors. What are ear protectors, you may wonder?
"Ear protectors help relieve hospital workers' pain caused by face masks. When wearing a mask, the elastic bands are looped around the notches or buttons on either side of the protector, ensuring that the mask stays in place, while not rubbing the back of the ears", said Catherine Canny, principal of Kilmurry NS, a five-teacher school outside Crossmolina, who describes Kilmurry as 'a close-knit, welcoming community where people support each other in numerous ways and no less in the middle of this pandemic.'
Explaining how pupils in the school became involved in making ear protectors for the health service, Catherine continued: "A parent of one of the pupil’s in our school, Patricia Loftus, who works as a midwife in Mayo University hospital, Castlebar, brought this issue to one of our teachers, Ms Tanya Lyons, and on hearing this, our school community promptly rallied to the cause. The pupils started to knit and crochet, as did pupils’ mothers, grannies, aunts, friends and neighbours in the community and beyond, until we had hundreds of ear protectors!
"From Barnagh in Belmullet to Balla, and from Kildare to Easkey, there was an amazing response to this appeal. Patricia Loftus picked up the large collection of ear protectors and thanked the pupils and the entire Kilmurry school community and beyond for stepping up to the mission and supporting our health care workers.
"We in Kilmurry NS are proud of our pupils, parents and wider community for responding so quickly to this appeal. We feel that, as a small community, we helped make our mark in assisting our amazing frontline workers.
"What has also been a surprising outcome from this venture is that our school will be going into the history archives. The National Museum of Country Life in Turlough has expressed an interest in archiving these ear protectors as part of an exhibition based on Covid 19 historical artefacts, for posterity. We are delighted to be making history as part of our community initiative. We are excited to know that we will be able to see these ‘artefacts’ exhibited in the museum in the future and know that we made a difference in our own way.
"So as they say, it is the little things that can make a big difference. While nurses and doctors are fighting the frontline battle, at least we know that they get some relief from the abrasive irritation of the mask elastics on their ears as they work their long hours.
"That in itself gives us all some satisfaction to know that we brought some comfort to the health care professionals, as they carry out their duty in difficult circumstances every day, to keep the nation safe and well. Once again, as Principal of Kilmurry NS, I wish to personally thank the children, parents, neighbours , friends in Kilmurry community and beyond, who donated to this appeal. Míle buíochas daoibh go léir."
