The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charles Flanagan, T.D., has announced the names of the recipients of the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad for 2016.
One of the recipients is Sister Mary Dolores in the Peace, Reconciliation and Development category for her amazing work over the course of forty years in Sierra Leone.
The Dungloe native has worked tirelessly to help those affected by the Ebola epidemic.
“Through her efforts in establishing the St Joseph’s School for the Hearing Impaired in Makeni, she has given education, skills training and life opportunities to the most vulnerable of people; children with a disability in a developing country.”
Admirably, Sister Mary Dolores stayed in Makeni to keep the school open during the civil war that tore the country in the 1990s, and has also played in a significant role in the management and coordination of much needed support when the Ebola virus hit Makeni in 2014.
Sister Mary Dolores has recently focussed on promoting the development of a curriculum for the training of special needs teachers in Sierra Leone.
The Presidential Distinguished Service Award was set up by the government following the Global Irish Economic Forum in 2011 as a means to highlight the amazing contribution members of the Irish diaspora have had on the world.
Nominations are made by Irish communities abroad through Ireland’s network of Diplomatic Missions.
Minister for Diaspora Affairs and International Development, Joe McHugh T.D. said; “This year’s Presidential Distinguished Service Award recipients signify the breadth and richness of our diaspora. They include those working with the most marginalised and vulnerable, those who have become the voice for those who have none.”
“In the very challenging environment of Sierra Leone, Sr. Mary Sweeney has worked tirelessly for local communities and most recently she has played a significant role in coordinating a response to the Ebola epidemic.”
Minister Flanagan said; “I am delighted that once again we have the opportunity to recognise some of the finest members of our diaspora for their contribution to Ireland, the Irish community abroad and Ireland’s reputation. In the ever changing world we live in, this remarkable group of individuals have been a constant beacon for Ireland and the values we hold dear.”
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