Meet the Team

Vera Stojanovic, CEO

Vera Stojanovic has been dedicated to supporting migrants since 2016, when she founded BetterTogether, an Irish charity focused on empowering migrant women in Cork. She is also one of the co-founders of the Sanctuary Mask Initiative, which later evolved into Saoirse. Her extensive experience includes international humanitarian work in refugee camps across Greece, disaster relief efforts in Mexico, and serving in the international response unit of the Swedish Red Cross. Her impactful work has earned her national and international recognition through awards, as well as two prestigious scholarships.  Vera holds a Master’s in Public Health in Disasters and has shared her expertise as a guest lecturer on humanitarian response at University College Cork and Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.  Passionate about intersectional feminism, Vera brings these principles to her leadership at Saoirse. She is committed to reshaping workplaces to be genuinely inclusive and responsive to the specific needs of women—something often overlooked in conventional organisational structures.

Arife Hysaj, Project Worker, Co-Founder, Member

Arife Hysaj is a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate, with multilingual proficiency that allows her to connect across cultures and a strong commitment to empowering women. With a background in Chemistry and Food Technology, she co-founded Saoirse, a social enterprise focused on creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. Arife also played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Women’s Coffee Morning at the Cork Migrant Centre and the International Garden Project, initiatives designed to foster connections and support among migrant women in the Cork community. Arife co-led impactful initiatives such as the Sanctuary Mask Project and the Let’s Match Mums programme, which promote inclusivity and empowerment. In her current role as Project Worker at Saoirse, she continues to support and lead initiatives that uplift migrant women.

Sweety Nkosi, Project Worker, Member

Hi, I’m Sweety Dlamini, a 37-year-old living in Cork City. I’m someone who laughs a lot and finds joy in the little things. I used to be a teacher, but now I work as a project worker, which allows me to stay creative and focused on making a difference. In my free time, I love to read—it’s my way of relaxing and learning at the same time. I’m really passionate about working with kids and elderly people; they both bring such unique energy and wisdom into the world, and I feel lucky to connect with them.

Deborah Oniah, Project Worker, Co-Founder, Member

Deborah is a writer and a Graduate of Law. She is currently doing her Masters in Children’s Right and Family Law in UCC. She is a University College Cork Sanctuary Scholar with a Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma Studies. An important voice for the migrant community in Ireland, and one of the founding members of the Cork Migrant Centre Women group. Deborah is trained in and facilitates intercultural dialogue. Deborah is a board member of Aontas the National Adult Learning Organisation, she advocates for adult learning and women’s health.

Samira Ajijti, Member

Samira is a dedicated professional with over 17 years of experience in public service. She has served at Morocco’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, contributing to the promotion of foreign direct investment (FDI). In June 2018, Samira moved to Ireland with her family, beginning her journey at the Cork Migrant Centre at Nano Nagle Place, studying English and participating in different workshops, especially those focused on women, violence, and war. In August 2023, she joined Saoirse EHD. In her current role with Saoirse EHD, Samira contributes to empowering women through social enterprise initiatives, where she combines her Marketing and project management skills and teamwork. Samira holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and a Bachelor’s in Economics, and a University Degree in Communication and Marketing Techniques. Outside of work, Samira has a passion for associative work, and enjoys painting, traveling, and exploring new cultures through literature and the arts. As a migrant mother, Samira believes that “Unity is the foundation of a thriving society”

Thembelihle Tshuma, Head Seamstress, Member

My name is Thembelihle Tshuma  , I am passionate about sewing and sharing my knowledge with others through teaching. It brings me great joy to empower others with valuable skills and foster creativity. I deeply value human connection and find endless inspiration in the life stories of others, believing that every story holds a unique lesson worth sharing.

Farahnaz Haidary, member

Farahnaz is an Afghan human rights activist with over 14 years of experience supporting women and promoting social justice. She founded ADYSO, an NGO in Afghanistan, to create jobs for women and empower communities. With a bachelor’s degree in Economics, she also has eight years of experience in auditing and accounting in Afghanistan’s public sector. Now based in Ireland, Farahnaz completed English studies at University College Cork (UCC), where she was a Conference Director for the UCC Fáilte Refugee Society and a Peer Leader at the Language Centre. She also volunteers with the Nature and Heritage Project. Farahnaz is currently studying for an Ed in Human Rights and Equality at Mary Immaculate College and is the founder of Domhan Green Society, which supports migrants in Ireland and works to reduce multicultural challenges, fostering integration and inclusion.

Olha Malysheva, Communications Intern

My name is Olha. I am passionate about photography, graphic design, and handmade crafts. People and their unique stories are my ultimate source of inspiration.

Don Hennessy

My name is Don Hennessy.  I am the bookkeeper for Saoirse.  I do this role on a voluntary capacity. I got involved with Soairse through Fred, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, I was looking for some work experience in bookkeeping. I deal mainly with the banking issues, tax, payroll and accounting side of Soairse.  In 2024 we introduced a payroll system, Simplepay, which we use to pay staff. For my day job I work for the Citizens Information Service as an Information Officer.