<Fergal Mawe>

Fergal Mawe – The Philippines

Fergal from Co. Kerry went on assignment with Fr. Shay Cullen’s PREDA project in the Philippines in August 2010 having completed the VC training programme in February 2010. The following is an excerpt from an article written by Fergal which was published in the April 2011 issue of the Law Society Gazette.

'Having finished my apprenticeship last year with McCarthy, Looby & Co (Cahir, Co Tipperary), I was left with the same problem as any newly qualified solicitor – find a low-paid job that you’re over-qualified for (if you’re lucky) or find the nearest dole queue. Neither looking very attractive, I turned my attention to the human rights sector and, in particular, a sector that I feel passionate about – child protection. Realising that the funding for this sector in Ireland has been dramatically cut, I turned my attention abroad.

I enrolled with Viatores Christi – a Lay Missionary Association and from there began a six-month weekend course, wherein I gave a commitment to provide at least one year’s service to an NGO or mission. On completing the Viatores Christi course, following vetting procedures, VC began searching for suitable positions, one of which was the PREDA Foundation in the Philippines.

I work in PREDA’s legal department with two other paralegal staff. Between us, we share over 130 ongoing cases, half of which deal with the prosecution of paedophiles, the other half with the criminal defence of juveniles.'

This photo shows Fergal in the centre with two of his work colleagues.

This photo depicts an example of the poverty in Olongapo in the Philippines

Philippines: Country Profile