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F
IONA BURKE is a career
woman, a passionate
volunteer, a wife and a
mother, who is nothing short of a
superwoman. Removing her
cape by day, she is a
communication specialist who
spends her weekdays writing
scripts for TV, radio, print,
and social media ads.
She also teaches a
communication
class for
evening
students
twice
per
week, at the Northern Caribbean
University Kingston campus.
DEVOTED VOLUNTEER
Embracing her powers by the
week’s end, she is a devoted
volunteer, through her own
organisation, Flourish Mentorship
Programme for teenage girls in the
community of Red Hills in St
Andrew. Burke sets out to save one
girl at a time, but not without the
assistance of those who have
partnered with her over the past
three years – touching the lives of
almost 100 girls.
A heroine’s job is never done.
After saving the world and
shedding her days’ cloak, Burke
makes time for her number-one
fans – her four-year-old daughter
and her husband of five years.
Whether it is reading with her,
assisting with homework, watching
cartoons, or going out for drinks
with her hubby, family time is a
priority. With another bundle of
joy on the way, she makes the
effort to find the perfect balance.
While it is easier to separate
her daily tasks at the office from
her dedication to volunteering, it is
much more difficult to create
much-needed time with her family.
She expressed that, “It’s much
more of a challenge when classes
are in session and I get home no
earlier than 9 p.m. some nights, but
usually, I use every little
opportunity I get to create a bond
with my daughter.”
Never taking a break from what
she loves, Burke’s Saturdays have
become her days to capitalise on
the workings of her organisation.
Hence, she has dubbed them
‘Flourish Days’, taking those days
to nurture the minds of teenage
girls alongside her wonderful team.
Seldom having time for a breath
of fresh air, Burke said that when
she does, she likes to take long
drives to the country, or spend a
day at the beach, a night at the
movies, or eat out with friends. She
said her girlfriends, who also have
busy schedules, are her spiritual
support system. “A girl needs a
tight circle of friends she can laugh,
cry and truly be herself with.”
30
THE GLEANER’S FLAIR MAGAZINE • MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018
D
istinguished
THE
Volunteerism
Fiona Burke
Local superwoman
CONTRIBUTED
PHOTOS
‘A girl needs a tight
circle of friends she can
laugh, cry and truly be
herself with.’