PREDA founder wins International Person of the Year Award
The International Person of the Year Award is a fitting tribute to Fr. Shay and the staff at PREDA who have worked for the betterment of children trapped in the sex industry as well as adult prisons since 1974. It is hoped that the award will help publicise the plight of the oppressed and enslaved children who the PREDA team are helping on a daily basis and give PREDA a stronger support base in Ireland than it already enjoys.
PREDA has enjoyed high profile and productive support over the years from Hollywood legend and social justice activist Martin Sheen and acclaimed singer Damien Dempsey. Other forms of support have been recently been received from double Major winner Padraig Harrington and Irish internationals, Shane Long, Kevin Doyle. Galway hurling legend Ollie Canning, actor James Cromwell, boxer Bernard Dunne, Christy Moore as well as Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn and former Celtic chairman Brian Quinn have all supported PREDA in various ways in the last few years. Ryder Cup hero, Paul Mc Ginley was happy to lend his support to PREDA declaring his support for, “the work of any organisation that strives to alleviate the suffering of children around the world".
The renowned singer Damien Dempsey first lent his support to the cause of child rights when he performed a PREDA benefit concert in the Warwick Hotel on the 28th of February 2008. Through the immense support of Damien and The western Hotel in Prospect Hill, PREDA Galway managed to raise 12,130 Euro. The money helped build a recreational area for the children at the PREDA children’s centre in Olongapo, north of Manila as well as pay for the resurfacing of the boy’s accommodation centre. Whatever money was left over was spent providing emergency relief for children freed from prisons or rescued from lives of destitution of sexual servitude.
Members of PREDA Galway have made a thought provoking and inspiring documentary entitled “Power of a Voice” detailing the support given by Damien Dempsey to PREDA as well as highlighting the problems facing PREDA, but ultimately highlights how the fight against various malevolent forms of servitude and abuse against women is being won thanks to a committed PREDA team in the Philippines but also through such local action. The documentary was accepted into the 2008 Galway Film Fleadh. Should you wish to be sent a copy of the documentary email your details to predagalway@gmail.com
Fr. Shay first made his link with Galway through his long time friend and passionate PREDA supporter Martin Sheen. Martin offered to launch Fr. Shay’s autobiography, “Passion and Power” in Galway Community College in October 2006. Following the success of the launch combined with the generosity and interest from members of the public Galway Community College co-ordinated the visit of the PREDA Akbay theatre group during their county wide tour in April 2007.
The Akbay theatre group, led by the inspiring and tireless humanitarian worker Fr. Shay Cullen, had a profound impact on the audiences, schools, colleges and parishes they came in contact with during their week long tour of Galway last year. Their powerful production, “ Once We Had Dream” portrays the reality of life for some less fortunate children in the Philippines trapped in prisons and the child sex industry.
Despite the serious topics dealt with in the performance it has a positive uplifting message and culminates with a celebration of Filipino culture, dance, and traditional indigenous music. Over 15,000 Euro was raised during their visit which garnered much interest in the work of this exceptional organization.
The work of groups such as PREDA Greystones, PREDA Galway, Galway Community College as well as other groups throughout Ireland primarily in Sligo, Clare and Dublin where large pockets of supporters work tirelessly in the quest to try and stop others turning a blind eye to such actions against the children. It is refreshing to see such a vast amount of goodwill and support in our community with so many individuals, organisations and companies giving so willing of their time, energy, services and finances.
Fairtrade and Child Rights Education Packs are currently being completed by PREDA Galway. The packs are designed to highlight the work of PREDA and are aimed at CSPE and Transition Year classes at secondary level. Fr. Shay has described this as a crucial step in helping young Irish people understand the importance of development education. The packs will be officially launched later in the year but samples can be sent on request.