Help Us

The text below is from a real email conversation that occurred as result of our recent school books campaign.

It tells the story of a real family in Ireland that has struggled through not only recent times but also the Celtic Tiger years. It is not meant in any way to exploit the sender but to share the real and troubling challenges many families in Ireland now face and the long-term commitment Vincent de Paul shows to these families.

From: Name Deleted for confidentiality
Sent: 04 August 2011 14:45
To: SVP Subject:
Re: thanks for your feedback from SVP

thanks, i got a cheque from (place name deleted) vdp last night, thanks very very much. im telling my girls to give away the clothes and shoes they dont use and i will bring them into the second hand shop. im feeling better today.
i never thought i would survive this long after the struggle many years ago. iv had to ask for your help many a time, from our first cup and spoon, to toys at christmas. i lost everything in our english family home when i left. everything. i left with two children and pregnant with the third. came home to save our lives.

On 04 August 2011 9:26, SVP wrote:
Hi (Name Deleted),
Sorry to hear that you are feeling sick why not call the Dublin SVP number is 855 0022 – if you call them they will be able to let you know if a local SVP is available to help you
(Name Deleted) SVP

From: Name Deleted for confidentiality
Sent: 02 August 2011 19:22
To: SVP Subject:
Re: thanks for your feedback from SVP

I'm in (place name deleted). I don't pay rent and gas and esb today. We have food. I'm sick now.

On 28 Jun 2011, at 09:54, SVP wrote:
(Name Deleted) – have you made contact with your local St Vincent de Paul group? If you tell me your general location I could send you the local contact details
(Name Deleted) SVP

From: Name Deleted for confidentiality
Sent: 27 June 2011 14:11
To: SVP Subject:
Re: thanks for your feedback from SVP

Thanks. But I'm in need of food to feed my children today. No money til Thursday. My feet are in pain and swollen. local school sorted the book bills. All classes selling second hand books to class below them.

On 27 Jun 2011, at 12:49, SVP wrote:

Hi there (Name Deleted),
Thanks so very much for taking the time to get in touch about this campaign – thanks to people like yourself we have over 7,000 signatures – check out our website, please keep in touch and it is really great to hear that our help has made a difference to you and your family
Kind regards,
(Name Deleted) Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP)
SVP National Office, 91/92 Sean MacDermott St. Lr., Dublin 1

From: Name Deleted for confidentiality
Sent: 27 June 2011 12:01
To: SVP Subject:
Re: thanks for your feedback from SVP

Ye have helped us for 17 years when I had no food and lost everything in my last family home in uk. Vdp gave me our first cups and spoons in 1994. Times are tough again but not that bad. Today my youngest is buying second hand books at the school as are many others who can sell their books and the cost of buying next yrs books is minimal. Iv asked if uniforms can be passed on too.
(Name Deleted)
P s. My 2nd eldest had just finished her leaving and hopes to do science in trinity college Dublin.