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Sarah is an award-winning humanitarian, specialising in treating trauma and stress, particularly arising from combat and civil or natural disasters.
For the past four years, she has worked closely with Dr. Roshan Billimoria, the former Chairperson of the United Nations Non-Governmental Organisations, and the UN/NGO representative at the Peace Summit in Iceland, with Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev.
She also sits on the Board of Directors for Lucca Leadership Ireland, and is a mentor on the Lucca Leadership Programme.
Over the course of three decades working in this space, she has developed the leadership qualities, skills and networks required to envisage and establish a global humanitarian project, which includes healing the trauma and loss arising from conflict and natural disasters and the stress to individuals and families resulting from engagement in combat.
As part of this project, she was invited, in 2008, to be part of a pioneering pilot programme team to develop a project for active servicemen and their families who are suffering from the effects of combat-induced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The first phase of this project took place in August 2008, at Columbus, Georgia, USA, working with active servicemen and veterans and their families, including First Gulf War and Vietnam War veterans.
Since 2005, she has been part of a mediation and social change group called ‘Facing Forward’ which is working towards introducing and integrating restorative justice into the judicial system in Ireland.
Other projects include:
2011: Project LIGHT Rwanda.
I have been invited by my colleague, Lori Leyden, to work with her on her
Humanitarian programme ,Project LIGHT, in Rwanda, and I will be joining her there later this year. http://projectlightrwanda.com
2011: Restorative Circles.
My interest in restorative justice has led me to learn about and train in
the facilitation of Dominic Barters work with Restorative Circles. We are
currently running a peer-led practice group in Dublin with a view to starting
the facilitation of Restorative Circles in local communities.
October 2008-Present: Irish United Nations Veterans Association.
Working with their members who are dealing with the after-effects of combat
trauma and personal life issues.
June 2009-Present: Congolese Anti Poverty Network (CAPN)
I have been delighted to help CAPN with their projects in Ireland, raising
awareness about the problems faced by the women of the Congo and the poverty
in the country.
June 2005-Present: Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
After training with Marshall Rosenberg (the founder), I have been responsible
for the building of an NVC community in Ireland. I started and run a
practise and support group in Dublin and have organised trainings in Dublin
and Galway.
2008: ARC (Addiction Rehabilitation Centre - Crumlin)
Working with people on the Phoenix programme, recovering from drug abuse, by teaching them life skills, including communication and effective listening, and techniques for stress management.
July 2008: Moscow, Russia
I was invited to Moscow to train Russian facilitators interested in exploring the work of Tapas Acupressure Technique® (Read more). While I was there, I visited a hospital to provide a pro bono workshop and consultation for the Palliative Care Team, including Doctors of Oncology and Psychologists, founders of a children’s hospice, and the founder of The Sofia Foundation which cares for the elderly and orphans.
June 2006: Pakistan.
Humanitarian and relief work in Balakot, Peshawar (in North West Frontier Province), Muzzafarabad (in Kashmir) and Islamabad, following the earthquake of October 2005. This involved offering on-site training workshops with the following national and international NGO’s:
Just Peace International
Sahil
Sachet
Human Development Foundation
Afghan Consulate for refugees
Abbasi Institute (hospital)
October 2005: Hopi, Arizona.
Dialogue and consultation with community and cultural leaders, social/youth workers and residents of the Hopi reservation, focused on concerns of cultural identity; appropriate education; mineral and water rights; issues of collaboration and conflict with neighbouring communities (including and with Navajo/Dine, Tewa/Zuni tribal structures) as well as liaison with dominant Anglo culture and its mechanisms of governance.
2005-2008: Glencree Peace and Reconciliation Centre, Ireland.
I worked on the panel of facilitators for the Peace Education programme where, as part of the team, I educated groups of teenagers in communication skills, conflict resolution, teamwork and leadership skills.
Led workshops for the staff and volunteers on techniques for self-care and how to maintain one’s vitality and energy. Also offered education on the values and essential working principles of Nonviolent Communication and Empathic Listening.
I am currently working as a facilitator on the “Sustainable Peace Project”, working in association with Wilhelm Verwoerd. |