An honour for Roberta
Roberta Cooney, long-time Concern Worldwide staff member, has been honoured for her outstanding contribution to international development. She was one of 10 people who received an award from the Northern Ireland Assembly at an event on 21 March.
Roberta first volunteered as a nurse in north Sudan, before becoming Concern’s medical co-ordinator. She went on to work in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Somalia, Ethiopia, south Sudan, Angola, Rwanda and Haiti.
Essential work
As a camp manager, she was responsible for distributing essential supplies to thousands of refugees. She also helped set up feeding centres, and worked on our much-needed sanitation, health and education programmes. In doing this work, Roberta was helping to rebuild the lives of people who have lost everything.
Transforming lives
Presenting the award, Conall McDevitt, Member of the Legislative Assembly, said:
These awards acknowledge exceptional individuals who have transformed the lives of people many thousands of miles away. Roberta’s years of work with Concern had a profound impact and that is something that collectively should be celebrated, and is an inspiration to all of us.
Part of the family
Due to illness, Roberta has been unable to return to fieldwork since she was in Angola, but still plays an important role within the Concern family. She has established a support group in Carrick which has been instrumental in raising awareness and funds for the charity.
So, from everyone in Concern – well done Roberta!
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I wish Roberta Cooney all the best and quick recovery. Her work in developing countries is essential. The mistakes in the health sector and the poor quality of the health facilities are important tresholds. Roberta is a tribute to a key profession in development health care: the NURSE! Being a health facility architect for over 40yrs and working in Third-World countries I often advocate the thesis: first good nursing and only then better facilities! I had a for instance very good 'training the trainees'-program for nurses in China. Hospital Hygiene and Nursing Management were the two main topics there. All success to you, Roberta. Happy Eastern too.
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