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Trócaire volunteer Bertie O'hAinmhire won the ‘Campaigning and Activism Award 2022’ for his advocacy work on human rights
Trócaire volunteer Bertie O'hAinmhire won the ‘Campaigning and Activism Award 2022’. Pictured is Bertie alongside Ola Majekodunmi, the Awards MC. Photo: Volunteer Ireland
Trócaire volunteer Bertie O’hAinmhire from Indreabhán, Co Galway scooped a top prize at the Volunteer Ireland Awards 2022 on December 2.
Bertie, who won ‘Campaigning and Activism Award 2022’ has been a volunteer with Trócaire for the past four years, and is also an activist for the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and a member of the board of Sadaka.
“Volunteering enables me to do good, to use whatever skill sets I have to connect with and help others,” Bertie said. “It gives me a sense of pride to assist with causes that I’m passionate about. A well-known seanfhocal or old Irish saying comes to mind, ‘Maireann croí éadrom i bhfad’ – a light heart lives long.”
“I worked with the Irish Government for over 40 years and spent time in Geneva and Africa where I came across Trócaire’s work. I promised myself when I retired, I would volunteer with Trócaire because I was so impressed by their work. I have been volunteering with Trócaire now for four years and it has brought me great satisfaction.”
For the past four years, Bertie used his passion for human rights to lobby for change. He contacted local TDs and ministers on Trócaire’s campaigns and on Palestinian issues on behalf of Sadaka. He also campaigned for the Occupied Territories Bill, which was voted in at the Dáil.
Bertie has been involved in Trócaire’s work in schools as well and has introduced Trócaire to the Gaeltacht by translating its materials into Irish. In 2022, Bertie’s biggest project was to translate Trócaire’s ‘Face of Resistance’ exhibition into Irish and get it exhibited in the Gaeltacht. This was a huge task for him and a great success.
Bertie O'hAinmhire at Trócaire's stall at the Galway Christmas market with Eimear Ni Mhaonaile, Marie-Ann Michel and Colm Hogan Photo: Trócaire
In October 2019, Bertie travelled to Geneva with Trócaire to meet with activists, politicians, and to witness the UN negotiations on a Treaty on Business and Human Rights. After his return, he contacted local politicians and started organising for Trócaire’s Face of Resistance exhibition to be held in Galway County. During Covid he still got involved in everything that he could virtually; sharing Trócaire posts on social media, translating materials into Irish to reach the Gaeltacht community.
Volunteering with Trócaire
Are you passionate about global justice and human rights? Volunteering with Trócaire is an opportunity to make a positive difference to the world.
Trócaire tackles the root causes of poverty overseas. An important part of our work is raising awareness in Ireland. We want people in Ireland to care about global justice, but also to understand the factors that cause people to live in poverty.
We couldn’t do this without our amazing volunteers.
If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with Trócaire, click here
