Shay Cullen, a priest from Ireland, is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban who went to the Philippines in 1969. He is the Founder and President of Preda Foundation, a social development organization that was founded in 1974. His life’s work includes protecting women and children from abuse, sex slavery and trafficking, providing a new life for children at risk and promoting and advocating for human rights, peace in the Philippines since 1969.

Shay Cullen was born on March 27, 1943 in Dublin, Ireland. He attended Presentation College, Glasthule, Co. Dublin. Ireland. He completed his college education at St. Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, Ireland. Shay Cullen was ordained in April 1969 and he was sent to the Philippines that same year.

His mission, which is ecumenical in nature, is based on taking a stand for human rights and protecting the dignity of people, especially exploited women, children, and youth. His team of professional staff and advocates provides community education on human rights and working for a corrupt free society.

Shay Cullen established the Preda Foundation in Olongapo City in 1974. Since then, it has rescued hundreds of enslaved children and women from sex slavery and children from jails. The project has 50 professional staff and they rescue sexually abused children from traffickers, brothels, and prisons. The Preda Foundation provides separate therapeutic homes for the rescued children boys and girls.

The Preda Fair Trade, a private enterprise that Shay Cullen also founded assists marginalized groups and alleviates them from poverty, and supports indigenous people. The income of this enterprise supports his charitable projects to promote human rights, justice and peace.

Shay Cullen is a renowned international speaker and human rights advocate. He began and led a successful campaign in the Philippines to close and convert the US Military bases to commercial use and curb sex tourism from 1983 to 1992.

He wrote the book “Passion and Power”, his autobiography about his life long mission. He has also published a novel called “Ricky and Julie” that is available on Amazon.com. He is journalist and a weekly columnist for the Manila Times. His articles are published there on Sunday and The Universe in the UK and in other international magazines. His columns are uploaded weekly to this website as well as the Preda Facebook page, and the Preda Fair Trade website. He has been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize, and received other human rights awards. He can be reached at shaycullen@gmail.com