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VISIT BY THE PRESIDENT, MARY ROBINSON TO APSO’s FIELD OFFICE FOR AFRICA, HARARE, ON 4 OCTOBER, 1994

VISIT BY THE PRESIDENT, MARY ROBINSON TO APSO's FIELD OFFICE FOR AFRICA, HARARE, ON 4 OCTOBER, 1994

-           I am very pleased to have this opportunity to visit APSO's office here and to meet with so many of APSO's Irish personnel working in Zimbabwe.

-           I am also very happy to meet with APSO's Zimbabwean staff who play such a key role in APSO's work and in the smooth running of the office.

-           I have been greatly impressed by the displays I have just seen inside on the work you are doing.

-           I know all of you are involved in using your wide diversity of talents and skills in helping the people in Zimbabwe.

-           So many of the areas you are working in are critical to the development process:  education, women's development, health and hygiene education programmes, community-based initiatives, water projects, AIDS/HIV awareness, nutrition training, to mention but a few.

-           I know your work in these areas is greatly appreciated in Zimbabwe.

            As I have had occasion to witness myself in Somalia and more recently in Zambia, Irish development workers are making an outstanding contribution to providing essential needs in developing countries and in regions that have been beset by particular difficulties.

-           We are all very proud of what you are doing as you continue a distinguished Irish tradition of helping others.

-           I wish you well in your future work here in this beautiful and hospitable country and thank you for your warm welcome today.