Oxfam Ireland helps schoolchildren to sow the Seeds of Learning
Oxfam Ireland Press Release
19 February 2008
This spring and summer, Oxfam Ireland is helping schoolchildren and teachers to sow The Seeds of Learning with the launch of an outstanding and unique new educational pack, which is also raising money for Oxfamgarden.
Peter Tomlinson, Oxfam Ireland's Business Development and Projects Manager, said: “The Seeds of Learning CD-ROM is an invaluable resource to help children with the curriculum through its sections on science, mathematics, English, art, history and geography; and at the same time money raised from the sale of the pack goes to support Oxfam Ireland projects in nine countries in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.”
Produced by Willow Design and Publishing Ltd and Oxfam Ireland , The Seeds of Learning CD-ROM supports connected learning across the curriculum. Available to purchase exclusively via the Oxfam Ireland website, the CD-ROM is aimed at children up to 14 years of age and is part of the stimulating cross-curricular growing kits for schools.
Peter Tomlinson also outlined the link between schoolchildren here and their less fortunate counterparts in the developing world: “We are also encouraging as many schools as possible to get involved with Oxfamgarden, and by encouraging pupils here to use the Seeds of Learning CD and the growing kits, they will be helping their counterpart schoolchildren in the developing world.”
Oxfamgarden, which was launched in August 2005 with the help of celebrity garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, is aimed at getting experienced gardeners and enthusiastic amateurs alike involved in raising plants and funds to help the world's poorest people.
“The beauty of this scheme is that everyone involved wins”, commented Peter Tomlinson. “Customers love the plants, growers get a real sense of achievement from seeing their handiwork sold in our shops and, of course, we raise funds for Oxfam Ireland 's vital work."
David Knight of Willow Design and Publishing Ltd said: “By supporting Oxfamgarden you are also contributing to saving Ireland 's wildflowers and native flora species. Our wildflower seeds are grown in Ireland; many of these species are threatened with endangerment. By planting the Oxfamgarden products you are helping with the preservation and conservation of Ireland 's natural habitats.”
For more information or interviews, please contact:
ROI: Paul Dunphy, Media and Communications Executive, 01 635 0422, paul.dunphy [at] oxfamireland.org
NI: Phillip Graham, Media and Communications Officer, 028 9089 5959, phillip.graham [at] oxfamireland.org
If you have purchased Oxfam Ireland's Seeds of Learning CD-ROM and you would like to help publicise it with the media, please contact us to find out more
Additional Information
- The Seeds of Learning CD-ROM is available to purchase from February 20th onwards
- The Seeds of Learning CD-ROM costs €38;
- The small Seeds of Learning Pack containing a CD-ROM, 2 seed mats and 2 sachets of seeds costs €37.50;
- A large Seeds of Learning Pack containing a CD-ROM, a large seed shaker, 1 seed mat, 1 terracotta pot, compost tablets, 4 sachets of seeds, garden scissors, string and plant tags costs €60.
- To purchase any of the items in the Seeds of Learning range, download and print the relevant order form below, and return it with a cheque (made payable to Oxfam Ireland) to:
Oxfam Ireland Seeds of Learning
Attn: Peter Tomlinson
115 North St
Belfast
BT1 1ND 
Euro Order Form
Sterling Order Form - 2008 sees Oxfam Ireland celebrate its 10th anniversary.
- The recent opening of the Rathfarnam shop brings the total of Oxfam Ireland shops all-island to 46.
Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.
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