Clonakilty charity founder explains abrupt shutdown

BY KIERAN O’MAHONY

THE founder of the Just One charity, which has shut down operations, has outlined his reasons for axing the well-known charity, which provided support for children in Nepal. 

The announcement last June that the charity would cease to operate took many supporters by surprise.

Writing on his blog this recently, Clonakilty native Declan Murphy, who founded the charity in 2004, said: ‘Over the last few months we’ve unfortunately reached a point where we simply had to wind the operation down.’

‘While this is certainly not how I ever hoped or imagined my 12 years with Just One would come to an end, I am nevertheless hugely grateful for the varying contributions that each and every one of you have so kindly made to the numerous success stories we’ve already been part of over the years. It may not continue into the future as I’m sure we’d all have liked it to, but we can still take pride in what’s been achieved to date,’ said Declan.

Declan described when news of his planned departure from the organisation was announced and how the charity’s board in Nepal was subject to an unwarranted takeover.

Declan went on to describe that a meeting was held without a quorum in Kathmandu on April 2nd which saw eight non-members illegitimately appointed to the board as executive officers.

‘This new board issued a month’s notice to Just One’s entire team of staff, initiated the closure of our Transit Home facility and informed beneficiary families that support was to be withdrawn and the organisation closed,’ said Declan.

Declan said that, following the sacking of the team of social workers, an IT officer has since been employed to create a new online presence.

‘It’s important to emphasise here that this now questionable operation has neither the approval nor the support of any of the numerous individuals who’ve helped shape Just One into what it had become over the years.’

Declan is also keen to stress that they are no longer seeking or accepting any more funds as the organisation is now to be closed in due course.

‘I must applaud the incredible support of all those who’ve so kindly believed in what we stood steadfastly for since the very start. 

‘With so many lives utterly transformed already, the positive effects of our dedicated efforts to date will continue to ripple outward, long into the future. I wish to express to each and every one of the countless individuals who’ve so kindly played the innumerable and varied roles in Just One’s proud existence,’ he said.