Big hearted Kildare school kids inspired by Yao tribe in Mozambique
From climate action to social change, finalists from Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas showcase ideas shaping a better future
Kildare’s brightest young global citizens have been selected for the Our World Awards 2026 finals.
Finalists from Mercy Convent Primary School been revealed for the Our World Awards 2026, with the national finals taking place at O’Reilly Hall University College Dublin on Thursday, May 7. The Irish Aid-led programme invites primary school students to respond to global development challenges through creative projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Schools across Ireland, including Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Meath, Tipperary and Wicklow, will receive recognition at the 2026 Awards, celebrating their work that explores global issues such as poverty and climate change.
Inspired by local action on the global goals, pupils from the Naas school brought different perspectives to global challenges through creative, hands-on projects.
At Mercy Convent, 3rd class pupils created multiple arts and crafts projects including a sock safari, recycled fabric map, and bracelet making. The main inspiration for the class’s projects was the Yao tribe in Mozambique and their project brought the global citizenship concepts to life in a highly engaging way.
As conversations around empathy in education continue to grow in Ireland, with voices such as Cillian Murphy highlighting the importance of raising emotionally aware and compassionate young people, the Our World Awards are playing a key role in bringing this to life in the classroom. By encouraging pupils to explore global challenges through creative projects, the programme helps pupils not only understand these issues but also connect with them on a human level.
Awards will be presented by Minister of State for International Development & Diaspora, Neale Richmond, who says: “It's inspiring to see young people across Ireland engaging so thoughtfully with the world around them. The Our World Awards highlight not just creativity, but a real awareness of the challenges facing our world — from climate change to poverty and gender inequality to healthcare. These pupils are showing that age is no barrier to making a positive impact, and that the next generation is ready to play its part in building a more sustainable and fair future.”