In early June 2005, Sr Deirdre Mullan, who is the Director of Mercy Global Concern at the United Nations in New York, received a request from a school in Derry who wanted to link with a school in the developing world in need of assistance.

Sr Deirdre, who runs the Mercy Office at United Nations headquarters contacted the Sisters of Mercy network operating in 44 countries.

Within 2 hours, had a reply:- "We are desperate here. The people have literally nothing and we are desperate for a small school. We would be so grateful for any help. The people here are desperately poor – most earn $1 per day if they are lucky and the school, such as it is, does not protect the children from either the sun or the rain."

Since then with the help of Thornhill College, St. Brigid's College and St. Cecilia's College as well as numerous friends and colleagues including the Parent-Teacher Association of Thornhill, the people of Derry and Donegal, Reaching out and the Resource Centre, Sr Deirdre has now built seven schools and, as she puts it, "the miracle just keeps on happening."

Following a visit to Cambodia recently to see some of the conditions up close, Sr Deirdre saw first hand the dire conditions where the people live.

She told the Journal: "When I show friends and colleagues some pictures of the conditions in Cambodia, people want to help. During the past year there was a bike drive in some of the local schools as we needed to provide transport for children from rural districts. The bikes cost about $50 a piece which is just out of the question for people earning a dollar a day so with the help of local youngsters we were able to purchase over 200 bikes.

"Thanks on behalf of the children and people of Cambodia to all who have helped in any way. We stated building one school and now number seven school is nearing completion," Sr Deirdre added.