2023 – Self Help Africa’s Ronan Scully received the 6th Oireachtas Human Dignity Award at a ceremony in Leinster House on Thursday, 1st December 2022.

Self Help Africa’s Ronan Scully received the 6th Oireachtas Human Dignity Award at a ceremony in Leinster House on Thursday, 1st December 2022. The award is presented by the Oireachtas Human Dignity Group to a person or group whose commitment to the promotion of human dignity is exemplary. Ronan Scully is being honoured for his many years of service to others, both as a volunteer and professionally, in some of the world’s poorest countries, as well as his commitment to youth education and development.  

Ronan Scully grew up in Clara, Co Offaly, the son of Ricey and Mary Scully. He attended St Francis National School and Árd Scoil Chiaráin Naofa Vocational School in Clara before attending Maynooth University where he qualified in Philosophy/Theology and Arts.

From 1992 until 2010 Ronan worked with GOAL before joining Self Help Africa, for which he now works as Western Regional Representative.

While with GOAL he worked in Calcutta (Kolkata), in India, as well as in Nepal, Ethiopia and Angola. He also spent a number of years working with and supporting Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in their work in Romania, India and Ireland. 

Over the years, Ronan has fundraised tirelessly for local and international charities. He is a founding member of the Maynooth Charity Cycle which has fundraised €2m for Irish children’s charities. He played a key role in founding the WorldWise Global Schools Development Organisation, managed by Self Help Africa with support from the University of Galway and Maynooth University.

Ronan was sent by Self Help Africa to Ukraine earlier this year to assist the humanitarian situation caused by the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Ronan was presented the award by Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Mark Daly, at the request of the Oireachtas All Party Life and Dignity Group. Also in attendance were members of government, representatives of Self Help Africa, members of the Dáil and Seanad, and members of Mr Scully’s family. Independent Senator Rónán Mullen, who proposed Mr Scully for the Award, described him as “a person of energy, enthusiasm, faith and hope, dedicated to the improving people’s lives in the toughest parts of the world.”