'Her Story' exhibition features Saoirse and Marie

Ten year old Saorise Keeley from Kells was the centre of attention this week when her image featured in an award winning photo exhibition which was opened in Dublin by Cherie Blair and MTV presenter Laura Whitmore.

The exhibition entitled 'Her Story' was staged by children’s development NGO Plan Ireland. It features images of 36 girls ranging in ages from a few months to 18, from diverse communities across both Ireland and Sierra Leone. 

These images perfectly juxtapose that girls in both countries, share similar hopes and have comparable objectives. Regrettably, they also convey the stark inequality and disparity of opportunity which exists.  Reproduced here are photos of Saoirse and her Sierra Leonean 'counterpart' Marie.

The exhibition aims to raise awareness of Plan’s work, increase understanding of the importance of gender equality. Saoirse was one of the 16 Irish girls chosen to be photographed for the exhibition.

She said: “It was really exciting to be part of this project and be associated with role models like Cherie Blair and Laura Whitmore. I was so enthusiastic about getting involved because I know that tragically, there are millions of girls around the globe, who unlike me, were not given a good education and aren’t part of a loving family.  I know all about the work of Plan Ireland and am fully aware of the real impact Plan and their Because I am a Girl campaign is having on thousands of girls around the world.”

The exhibition runs for two weeks and will then be toured around the country.