Sister Deirdre Mullan a member of the Northern Province of the Sisters of Mercy, is a trustee with the Arise Foundation. She helped secure major funding as a member of the grants committee from the Hilton Humanitarian Foundation for Arise and attended the prestigious ceremony which was held in London recently.

The Arise Foundation based in London and New York is unique in that we work mainly with women religious on the frontlines of combating trafficking. Three of the humanitarian awards were given to projects supported and funded by Arise.

Since the Arise Foundation was established seven years ago by philanthropist John Studinski, it has spread a web of protection to over 89 high risk cities/areas and helped 187,954 people, mainly women and girls through education, skills training, rights empowerment, community-based organizations, and informal credit unions.

Women, men and children are trapped through forced marriages which target the girl child; prostitution; sale of human organs and forced labour.

Former Prime Minister Teresa May, who was educated by Sisters in England was the keynote speaker at the event.

“While many people feel powerless against this crime and look the other way, Catholic Sisters are doing the work daily, bravely, humbly, across the communities all over the world.”

Ms. Theresa May, MP and British Olympic champion athlete Sir Mo Farah, who was trafficked as a child, paid tribute to Catholic Sisters at the ceremony in London, shining a spotlight on the work women religious do to combat human trafficking. Over 200 women religious from around the globe attended the event.

Sr. Deirdre Mullan

Anyone wishing to know more about the work of the Arise Foundation, or the work undertaken by our frontline Sisters, can contact Sr. Deirdre Mullan directly on  Deirdremullanun@aol.com