Humanitarian

As you read this, there are currently over 40 conflicts, many natural disasters, and hundreds of other unreported situations in the world today, where people are struggling to come to terms with the pain and suffering caused by traumatic events. In addition, UN estimates indicate that six out of ten women face abuse in their lifetime and have to live with the trauma and suffering caused by it.

In most cases, long after the event is no longer newsworthy, the problems still remain where individuals and communities are struggling without the benefit of outside help, to come to terms with the loss of loved ones, their homes and communities the physical loss of limbs, or the consequences of violence (which can often be gender based).

They have become the “forgotten” as the world’s attention moves on to the next crisis.

My vision is to make a significant and lasting contribution in areas of the world where the trauma of past events is still impacting individual lives and communities.

In my humanitarian role, I use proven methods, including from the emerging field of Energy Psychology, and communication techniques such as Nonviolent Communication and the practice of Talking Circles, to facilitate holistic approaches to healing trauma. 

I have worked with various national and international organisations and NGOs focused on empowering individuals and communities to transform the stress, trauma and suffering resulting from conflict and natural disaster, into lives of resilience and fulfilment, accompanied by dignity and respect.

In 2007, I received the Humanitarian Award of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP) for self-funded earthquake relief work in Pakistan and Kashmir.

In 2012, I established the Sarah Bird Foundation specifically to work with local people, challenged communities, and NGOs working on-the-ground, to assess and implement trauma-healing projects.

Meeting with the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and his wife, Sabina Higgins, at Áras an Uachtaráin, the presidential residence in Ireland.