Castlebar native receives Clinton award for work in Haiti

A CASTLEBAR native has received an award for her life-changing work in Haiti.

Sr. Rose Kelly, a Jesus and Mary Sister, along with Sr. Nazareth Ybarra, from Spain, was presented with the William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award for her work in Jean Rabel, northwest Haiti.

The award recognises the fact that Rose and Nazareth have changed the lives of hundreds of people in Haiti, with a focus on promoting education for children and providing training and self-empowerment opportunities to vulnerable families in Haiti.

Over the last 13 years Rose and Nazareth have built and maintained six preschools and two primary schools in remote areas of this part of Haiti. They have also built over 1,300 houses as well as setting up micro credit groups, a goat project and two craft and art workshops.

Both Rose and Nazareth are extremely respected and loved in the community of Jean Rabel. Their compassion for the needs of the most vulnerable is truly visible in their everyday work and is remarkably inspiring.

Sr. Rose, even before arriving in Haiti in 2005, led a life marked by service. She worked at the Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Salerno, in Salthill, as a catechist and later with the Travelling Community in Hillside, Ballybane.

Margie Connolly, retired deputy principal of Salerno, said: ”Rose is the most powerful woman I know, and she is also the most humble. She sees God in every person she meets. She’s as natural with the weakest members of society as she is with the famous of this world.

“A deeply spiritual woman, who walks her talk, when you spend time with Rose you know there is a God and you know you are in the presence of a modern living day saint.”

Congratulations to Rose and Nazareth on their award. We wish them well in their continuing work with the people of Haiti.

Thank you to all family and friends who support Rose and Nazareth in their charitable endeavours. Go mbeannaí Dia sibh beirt agus go bhfága sé an tsláinte agaibh.