Dominique Lemay (born July 17, 1950) is a French humanitarian known for founding the Virlanie Foundation, which helps street children and children at risk in the Philippines.
Dominique Lemay | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 17, 1950 Wasquehal, France |
| Nickname | Kuya Dom |
| Occupation | Social worker |
| Language | French, English, Filipino[citation needed] |
| Alma mater | Catholic University of Paris |
| Spouse | Adelita "Adelle" Ceradoy-Lemay, RSW |
| Website | |
| virlaniekuyadom | |
Biography
editLemay was born in Wasquehal, France on July 17, 1950. He holds a degree in theology from the Catholic University of Paris. He obtained a Master’s degree in Sociology in 1973, and a Master’s degree in Social Work in 1987 from Fondation INFA, Nogent-sur-Marne. He left for Manila after his studies to work for children on the street.[1][full citation needed]
Lemay arrived in the Philippines in 1989 at the request of a friend to do some research on street children of Philippines.[2][3]
In 1992, with the help of his Filipino friends and social workers, Lemay started the Virlanie Foundation to help the needy children of Philippines.[4][5] The organization works to take care of children who are poor, abandoned, orphaned, neglected and abused and provide them with a suitable environment to live in.[6][7] The foundation also strives to make sure that there is a strong presence that can fight for the rights of children.[8] Virlanie also supports the operation of the Manila Youth Reception Center along with the Reception Action Center.[9] In addition, the foundation operates two homes for children with special needs, Cavite and in Makati City.[10] The foundation also operates an Open Day Center in Bacolod City in the Visayas.
The name Virlanie is a contraction of the names of his daughters from his first wife, Virginie and Lauriane. After stepping down from Virlanie Foundation, Lemay was named chairman emeritus. He also operates an autonomous farm for people with special needs in Negros Occidental called Virlanie Faith.
Lemay is the author of the book, "Ils N'ont Pas Choisi les Troittoirs de Manille" ("They Didn't Choose the Sidewalks of Manila").[11]
LeBron James visited the foundation in 2015 https://virlaniekuyadom.blogspot.com/2015/08/?m=1
Awards
editIn 2014 Lemay was honored with Chevalier (Knight) in the French Légion d’honneur for his work in the Philippines.[12] Additional awards include:
- Inducted into the Knights of Rizal[13]
- People of Asia magazine selected him as one of its People of the Year in 2008.[14]
- He was awarded the Human Rights Prize from the French Republic for the Foundation's valuable contribution to human rights through its work with disadvantaged children in the Philippines in 2001.[8]
References
edit- ^ Jay-r Patron. "Dominique Lemay - Founding president of Virlanie Foundation" – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Mehdi Ba (2003). L'illusionniste. Arènes. ISBN 978-2-912485-46-5.
- ^ "Dominique Lemay à Québec : "ces enfants qui s'engagent redonnent la pêche aux adultes" - L'Outarde Libérée". 21 October 2015.
- ^ Robert Calderisi (8 October 2013). Earthly Mission: The Catholic Church and World Development. Yale University Press. pp. 205–. ISBN 978-0-300-19676-4.
- ^ "Dominique Lemay, créateur de la Fondation Virlanie, à Manille. " Aider les autres, c'est une tradition familiale ! "". La Croix. 24 February 2010 – via www.la-croix.com.
- ^ "Dominique Lemay: une charité intrépide dans la violence de Manille - cath.ch". cath.ch.
- ^ Ali, Huzaif. "Virlanie Foundation - Projects - The Emirates Airline Foundation". www.emiratesairlinefoundation.org.
- ^ a b Foundation, Internet Memory. "[ARCHIVED CONTENT] UNESCO – Web Archive Access". webarchive.unesco.org.
- ^ "Royalty Reaching Out - Feature, People Asia Sections, People Asia - philstar.com". philstar.com.
- ^ Gabriel, Danielle (24 December 2016). "Caring for the children - BusinessMirror". www.businessmirror.com.ph.
- ^ "ILS N´ONT PAS CHOISI LES TROTTOIRS DE MANILLE (Nouvelle Edition) -- Editions Salvator". www.editions-salvator.com.
- ^ "Cérémonie de remise de la Légion d'honneur à M. Dominique Lemay". La France aux Philippines et en Micronésie.[permanent dead link]
- ^ knightsofrizal.org (28 April 2008). "Child Protection Champion joins Knights of Rizal » Announcements » Events » knightsofrizal.org". knightsofrizal.org.
- ^ "People of the Year tonight - People - Milestones - Advocacies, Best of the Philippines, Home - philstar.com". philstar.com.