Shona founder chosen as Obama Foundation leader
Pictured, from left, Lucy A. Power, Katie Joubert, Tammy Darcy, CEO and founder of The Shona Project, Bhuvneshwari Bahl, LK Tomenio, Aarya Kshirsagar, and Lauren Grant from Presentation Secondary School, Waterford. Photo: Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography
It's exciting times for Déise-based non-profit, The Shona Project. Founder and CEO Tammy Darcy has announced a new mentoring partnership with multiple businesses, with the aim of supporting young Irish girls.
Allianz, CBRE, Fitzgerald Power, McCann Fitzgerald, Salesforce, &Smyth Creative Communications and VHI are among the companies that will provide 26 mentors to be paired with girls in schools around Ireland.
According to Tammy: "Research on the benefits of mentoring has shown that it can result in better academic performance, better school attendance, positive attitudes, decreased likelihood of initiating illegal drug and alcohol use and decreased violent behaviour.
"It has also been linked in studies to social-emotional development benefits, improvements in youth perceptions of parental relationships, and better prospects for moving on to higher education."
She added: "The benefits and outcomes of mentoring align perfectly with our mission, so it only seemed natural for us to develop this programme now, and we are honoured to have such wonderful Irish businesses come on board with us in this first year of the initiative.
"Our aim is to continue to grow the mentorship programme and continue to match inspirational professional role models with girls to help support them through their teenage years.”
Tammy has also just been named as a leader in the Obama Foundation Leaders due to her work in The Shona Project.
She is one of three Irish activists (along with Leon Diop and Karolina Attspodina) chosen for the Leaders European Programme.
She said: "I am so honoured to be included in this hugely prestigious group of international activists.
"It's amazing to see our organisation recognised at this level, and I know I will learn a huge amount from my fellow leaders and from the Obama Foundation.”
