Mayo's Aisling Neary to receive International Humanitarian Award
A CASTLEBAR woman is to receive an International Humanitarian Award this Saint Patrick's Day.
The award is being presented to Aisling Neary by the Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee at a St. Patrick's Day brunch in the Ivy Tower Hotel at 11 a.m.
Special guest for the event is Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, who returns to the county having visited last August when she planted a tree at Mayo University Hospital to recognise the contribution of Irish nurses over the last 75 years in the UK's National Health Service.
Dame Anionwu was in Castlebar to receive a Cherishing the Irish Diaspora Award, presented to her by the Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee.
A registered general nurse, Aisling Neary's experiences as a student ignited her commitment to helping others.
Her journey started during a 12-week programme while training, teaching adults literacy skills and volunteering at Focus Ireland's creche, aiding children affected by homelessness.
“I developed a deep-seated passion for volunteering,” says Aisling, and after qualifying she volunteered at an orphanage in Romania, returning multiple times on projects ranging from summer camps to helping street children.
One poignant encounter involved nursing a young adult abandoned in a hospital, and eventually securing her placement in a care group home built by Irish volunteers.
Further ventures have taken her to Moldova, India, Nepal and Ghana, where she has built two schools called Soul Light School, which stand as a testament to the transformative power of education, providing hope and pride to its pupils.
Aisling was chosen as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Young People of the World in 2012 with Junior Chamber Ireland and her humanitarian efforts have also been recognised at home with a Mayo Person of the Year award from Rehab.
Said Aisling on her work: “Through over 30 self-funding projects worldwide, I have come to understand that true empowerment lies in providing opportunities to people in life.
“People don't want what society calls charity, but they need it. They don't want help but they appreciate it. They want to be self-sufficient and stand on their own and achieve their aspirations and dreams.”