About
The Michaela Foundation?… what’s that?
The Michaela Foundation is inspired through the life of Michaela McAreavey, who departed this world on the 10th January 2011. Michaela’s husband, John and the Harte family wanted to commemorate and celebrate Michaela’s life…. and have big plans for the future!
Michaela – The Person!
Michaela was a young woman who possessed amazing attributes which enriched her life immensely and the lives of all she met. She was bubbly, energetic, kind and thoughtful.
Michaela was a woman of great faith, who believed this faith was the reason she was so happy in her life. She had a love of the Gaelic language and above else loved to have fun and enjoy life. Michaela was also a keen pioneer and exhibited her love of life without the need for alcohol or additives.
Forever the fashionista, Michaela was passionate about fashion and loved to keep up to date with new trends emerging as well as setting her own! With an eye for a bargain, she loved to pick up the ‘High Street look’ without the hefty price tags!
With a confident and assertive mindset, Michaela always stood up for the right thing and encouraged her friends and students to always follow their heart, not society norms or peer pressure.
But what does The Michaela Foundation do?
The Michaela Foundation believes that the values which Michaela lived her life should live on, and that young people can succeed in life fulfillment and happiness with faith, confidence and fun as their foundation.
Since its inception, The Michaela Foundation has strategically planned how they can inspire and encourage young people in Ireland to reach these values, and have already initiated two flagship programmes to achieve this.
Student Award Scheme
In early 2012, The Michaela Foundation awarded 3 fresher students with awards in Irish, Religious Education and General discipline, £1,000 each to assist with university fees. After carefully selecting 3 worthy applicants, who we deem ‘Michaela Scholar’s’, the student awardees began writing a monthly blog, ‘View from the Student’. The blog allows the students to share their experience in their first year in university, from social scene to exam pressures.
Michaela Girls Summer Camp
In July 2012, nestled deep in the rolling Tyrone landscape, the first ever Michaela Girls Summer Camp came into being, bringing a little bit of magic into the lives of seventy young girls.
Established to commemorate and celebrate Michaela’s values, and to continue the good work she carried out through her dedication to her students at St Patrick’s Academy, the Summer Camp offered 11 to 13 year-old girls the opportunity to experience a plethora of inspiring and entertaining activities, all taught by highly-experienced experts in a fun and supportive environment.
Sessions at the camp were divided into five categories, each one celebrating a core principle or skill that was pivotal in Michaela’s life. These five core elements were Fun, Fashion, Faith, Irish and Well-being.
Activities included, new fashion styles, cupcake design, making rose bath bombs, healthy eating, Irish singing, understanding the rosary and a lot more! There was so much happening in this camp, only those who attended truly appreciated the ‘The Michaela Girls Camp experience!’
What Next?
Bigger, Better and a whole lot more!
The Student Award Scheme will continue to run on an annual basis, giving 3 fresher students the chance to become Michaela Scholar’s each year and aid their university fees.
The Michaela Girls Camp will be rolled out in different counties throughout Ireland, giving young girls aged 11-13 the chance to experience something truly magical!
But wait there’s more….
The Michaela Centre’
We aim to raise funds to provide a hub for all our future activities. Nestled in Glencull, Co. Tyrone where Michaela was born and raised, the center will provide;
- ‘Tea House’ Styled Café
- 3G Pitch
- Residential area for Camps to run throughout summer
- Place to Reflect/Retreat
- Schedule of on-going weekly activities to include;
- Irish Classes, Health & well being
- Prayer and Faith development
- Confidence Building in Youth
Help us achieve our dream now by donating!!