Skip navigation
Jackie Kirk}’s portrait

Jackie Kirk

  • Female
  • Died Aug 13, 2008
  • Outremont, Quebec, Canada
This is a page for family and friends to gather, share their memories, and celebrate the life of Jackie Kirk. Please join us in celebrating her life with us by leaving your memories.
More »

About

Remembering fallen friends...

All of us at CARE are offering our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the humanitarian workers slain in Afghanistan, and to everyone at the International Rescue Committee. The loss is keenly felt by every humanitarian worker around the world.

It was with particular sadness we learned of the deaths of Shirley Case and Jacqueline Kirk. We are proud and privileged to have had them on our CARE Canada team in the past. We knew them. We worked with them. They were part of our family. Both will be greatly missed by the entire CARE family.

These sad events serve to remind us all of the dedication of those performing humanitarian work overseas, often in the most dangerous of environments. Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous and volatile countries for aid workers, with more than 19 killed in the last year alone. Yet dedicated women and men continue to devote themselves to the humanitarian imperative to help people survive and make progress in the impoverished country.

This tragedy also highlights another very important issue in humanitarian work today: the growing role of women, both as the deliverers and the beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance. Shirley Case, Jackie Kirk and Nicole Dial were strong women, out building a better world for other women. Their goal was to give the girls of Afghanistan an equal opportunity for education, to give them an equal share in the future of their country. Women hold the key to ending global poverty. CARE honours the memory of Shirley, Jackie, Nicole and all the women who live, and those who have died, for that belief. CARE will continue to work for the ultimate realization of their dream: the empowerment of all women everywhere.

CARE stands with the IRC and other humanitarian agencies in honoring Shirley, Jacqueline, Nicole and Mohammad Aimal, who lost their lives, and in condemning the continuing violence and destruction in Afghanistan. We call on the international community to renew its commitment to protecting humanitarian space. Without safe passage, aid groups cannot continue to help the people of Afghanistan to raise themselves up out of poverty.

Kevin McCort

CEO

CARE Canada

See All memories »

Memories

My memory

cheshmak May 15, 2011

When I think of Jackie, I remember a smiling, happy, radiant person with a ring to her voice and laughter. I saw her a few months before she went to Afghanistan. As always, she was joyful and lovely. I think of her so often ... and each time I do I feel a deep loss. Those who knew and loved her lost a loved one. But the world also lost a shining light.

She was tirelessly dedicated to her work, and a source of inspiration to everyone who knew her.

She is missed and will be ...
Cheshmak

A True Teacher

Raisa Mirza Dec 14, 2010

Jackie Kirk was my teacher when I was a little girl in elementary school. She helped me found an environmental organisation, brought me to a conference about St. Lawrence water pollution, helped us organize tree plantings and raise money and awareness against desertification. She helped to bring me to understand the injustices of this world and how we can help as individuals. The ideals she taught me exist always. I have graduated from university now in International Development and work as an educator for peace. I hope to work in Humanitarian Aid and keep working on her mission.

As a 9- year- old, I asked her once what I could do for children in other countries, to help them. After all, I am only one person and a small one at that. She looked at me and said, 'you can change their world'. And she made me believe it. God Bless you Jacquie.

My memory

Mónica Martin May 15, 2010

Those who had the privilege of knowing and working with Jackie would never forget her, and her inspiration will remain with us for the rest of our lives.
Thank you Jackie for being such a passionate defender of education, specially for destitute girls, and for inspiring us to continue fighting for children's rights and human rights.
You haven't left us, your energy and passion is always with us.

I hope this tragic loss will encourage us

Angélique Verweij Sep 15, 2008

Last year I have met Jackie and we shared ideas on Sudan and Afghanistan.
Girls going to school, women empowerment, it is important for all kinds of reasons...
I hope her death can and will encourage us to continue this difficult struggle.
But right now I just feel the loss. For her, for her husband and for her family. For Afghanistan, a country suffering from violence for so long. For what sake? I truly hope that Jackie and her family can find peace with this tragic loss!

Angélique Verweij, Program officer for Sudan
ICCO & Kerkinactie, The Netherlands

Share your own memory now

To leave a memory, fill in the fields below

 *
 *
Icon

Choose an icon from the set

Let them know how much you cared

OR

Show

Widget

Find out for whom People are Tweeting their Respects
See All Visitors »

Visitors

Visited just now

cheshmak

Visited May 15, 2011

Raisa Mirza

Visited Dec 14, 2010

Jessica Chaikowsky

Visited Aug 15, 2010

Tribute Creator

nick

    Visited Aug 19, 2008