Donate Online to the SPIRASI Valentine's Appeal

SPIRASI needs €2.3 million each year to care for those who have suffered torture and to help refuge seekers integrate into Irish society. Some of our funding is provided by the government but this remains inadequate for us to fully meet the needs of our beneficiaries. To make up the shortfall we depend upon the generosity of members of the public. This Valentine´s Week, we are appealing for donations from private individuals. Your donation, no matter how small, will help us greatly in the work that we do.

Almost everyone is aware of the horrible things that happened in Abu Ghraib in Baghdad. Less well known is the fact that SPIRASI doctors and psychotherapists treated 686 survivors of torture in Ireland last year.

Every year SPIRASI provides medical and psychotherapeutic support to hundreds of victims of torture and atrocity. In doing so, we try and help those who seek our care to cope with the horrors of the past, the stresses of the present and the uncertainties of the future. In 2006, those seeking care came from nearly 50 different countries, especially from war torn regions. In its eight year history, SPIRASI has helped over 14,000 people through its education and health promotion services. 2,000 of these presented with histories of torture. SPIRASI has developed a holistic approach that combines medical treatment, psychotherapy and practical help to restore dignity and wellbeing.

Maji (not his real name) was held for twenty months in an underground prison. During the course of his torture, he endured physical abuse as well as mental humiliation. The small room that he was kept in with many other people had no toilet facilities. They were all beaten regularly and threatened with execution. He was forced to kneel on broken glass and was flogged with belts.

Maji fled to Ireland 2 years ago, and since arriving here he has been accessing SPIRASI’s torture rehabilitation services.

When you survive such horrors you think that you will never live a real life again. SPIRASI has given me the opportunity to build a life again. Without the help and support SPIRASI has shown me things would not be as good today

We need your help so we can continue to provide this vital service. Your support would help entire families come to terms with experiences that are beyond our capacity to imagine or comprehend. You will make an immediate, real and lasting difference to survivors of torture who have nowhere else to turn.

If you would like to support our work, please donate to us by clicking the Donate button below.

Thank you for your generosity. Without it we would not be able to carry on our work.