Gena Heraty

Shortly after she graduated from UL, Gena Heraty moved to Haiti and has remained there since. Twenty-seven years on, she tirelessly champions people with physical and intellectual needs in one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. 

"I feel so blessed to be able to do what I do” Gena begins, adding “Anyone who lives with children with special needs will tell you that every day is a drama, but a wonderful drama.” 

Pioneering 

Her selfless and pioneering work has culminated in a series of national and international awards, including being named the Irish Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year. Gena accepts these awards, not for herself, but for the people of Haiti, and for the many people who work with her in seeking to provide essential services to those who are in such need of them. 

Originally from Westport, Co. Mayo, Gena graduated from UL with a BBS degree in 1991. “My first job was as a volunteer with the Simon Community in Dublin” she recalls “and that’s where I really became interested in the overseas voluntary work of Our Little Brothers and Sisters charity”. 

What started as a six-month placement in Haiti in 1993 turned into a lifetime commitment. She has dedicated herself to an orphanage high in the mountains of Kenscoff, about 10km from the capital Port-au-Prince. 

Abject poverty 

In Haiti, 80% of the population live under the poverty line, with 54% in abject poverty. “We live in a country where the needs are so very great” she says “Through our international fundraising – and I have to say, so much of it comes from donations from Ireland - we have been able to reach into the community”. 

This reach has resulted in the development of a special education school and meal plan for 80 children, a rehab centre that provides physical therapy for children with neurological disorders, and an adult stroke programme. 

Challenging prejudice 

Gena is the co-founder of Kay Christine, a residential home for children with special needs at the orphanage, and Director of the Charity’s Special Needs Programmes in Haiti. These outreach programmes provides medical, rehabilitation and educational support to communities where children have severe physical and/or intellectual disabilities. Through her decades of work, Gena is known all over Haiti for challenging prejudice against people with physical and intellectual disabilities. 

“Haiti is often so brutal” Gena says “but the challenge is to take the pain and see what you can do to relieve it.” 

New challenges 

The orphanage keeps growing and expanding according to the needs that Gena and her team see – “there are so many here in Haiti”, she adds - but she is also constrained in what she can do. “We always say that we are limited only by funding because we have lots of knowledge and skill”. With Gena, there is also no shortage of commitment and energy. 

Unfortunately, the devastating effects of the 2010 earthquake continue to be felt to this day and are exacerbated by a persistently unstable political situation that poses constant security concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought further pressure on a country already in crisis, and the erosion of international funding impacts what charities like Gena’s can do on the ground. 

Community 

Gena retains strong close ties to UL, not least because her sister and brother-in-law Dr Noreen Heraty and Dr Mike Morley are on the Faculty at the Kemmy Business School. She was also honoured for her work at the inaugural UL Alumni Awards in 2006. 

Gena concludes “We can only do what we do, when there are people out there who will fund us and the work that we do. This is always our biggest plea - help us to help them”. 

Donations to support Gena’s work always welcome at http://www.nph-ireland.org or OLBS Ireland, BOI, Dublin Airport: IBAN IE23BOFI90074642863621 BiC BOFIIE2D 

NPH Ireland is registered as Our Little Brothers and Sisters (OLBS) with the Charities Regulatory Authority (charity number CHY 111953) and with The Revenue Commissioners (No. 20034009). 

Our Little Brothers and Sisters (OLBS) charity: http://www.nph-ireland.org