THE FREED Goal aid worker Sharon Commins, who was held for three months in Darfur along with a colleague, has “strongly recommended” that people volunteer for aid work for a one-year period.
Ms Commins (32), Clontarf, Dublin, was speaking in Killarney on Saturday night where she accepted the Msgr Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award 2009, which also went to her Ugandan colleague Hilda Kawuki (42), in absentia.
The citation was for their “brave and selfless” work. The humanitarian award is part of an annual festival commemorating the work of Killarney man Msgr O’Flaherty who, as a priest in the Vatican during the second World War, helped thousands of Jews and Allied prisoners to evade the German occupiers.
He became known as the “Pimpernel of the Vatican” and a film starring Gregory Peck was based on his exploits.
The women had been nominated for the award by other aid agencies while still in captivity.
Ms Commins was accompanied by her father and mother, Mark and Agatha, and other family members, and Mr Commins accepted the award on behalf of Ms Kawuki.
The Dublin aid worker had insisted there would be no press conference or interviews, organisers told the media. In a short acceptance speech, Ms Commins, who appeared spirited and in good form, said she was delighted with the award and wanted to thank all those who had supported her and her family. The work of aid agencies as well as missionaries was “essential” to help the dignity of those in greatest need, she said.
She had had a difficult experience, she said, “but I would strongly recommend people to volunteer for aid work for a one-year period. In that way, you are putting your skills to very good use for the benefit of those in greatest need.”
Aid work was “immensely rewarding” and she was proud to have been involved. She was given a standing ovation by the audience of 150 at the Plaza Hotel. These included the Bishop of Kerry Dr Bill Murphy, and former Supreme Court judge Hugh O’Flaherty, a nephew of the monsignor.
Mayor of Killarney Michael Gleeson said the award commemorated a man who took the decision to confront evil, rather than just look on. The aid workers’ “indomitable spirit” had allowed them to endure. “Your victory is not about ransoms or diplomacy – it’s about goodness,” Mr Gleeson said.
Ms Commins and Ms Kawuki were abducted at gunpoint in the north Darfur town of Kutum and released last month after more than 100 days in captivity.