In Northern Ireland

An evaluation of the Ulster Project from all the participating towns and cities reveals success far surpassing the original expectations. Positive changes:

PARENTS OF THE PROJECT YOUTH have crossed sectarian lines in safety to work cooperatively on behalf of the Project.

THE YOUTH THEMSELVES have been able to maintain their friendships with the support of the churches and neighborhood communities. Their influence extends to a large peer group, as well as their extended families.

Over 5,000 youth from Northern Ireland have participated overall through the end of the 2003 Project, and, to our knowledge,  NONE HAS EVER BECOME PARAMILITARY on either side. Moreover, the number of graduates from Northern Ireland is increasing by about 400 each year. From the Arlington area, there have been visits by American participants to our “paired” community of Belfast, confirming the continuing cross community association there, which the Belfast clergy, civic leaders and citizens have found so helpful in reducing violence.

In the United States:  American teens and adult experience the joy of “hands-on” Peacemaking, and lasting friendships that are made with the Northern Irish visitors and with other Americans. The Project has strengthened the ecumenical ties of cooperation among the churches of Arlington. Most American Host Families have been enthusiastic about the Project, so much so that they wish to continue to be involved, even when the original teen member is too old to be a host again. Many American teens visit their Northern Irish family the following summer.  Our parents are amazed at their teens development during the Project.

Comments from a Northern Irish Methodist Minister: "...when a young person is selected for the project they are lifted out of their segregated educational system and begin to meet and have fun with young people from across the divide to prepare for the journey.  Second, their multicultural experience in the US broadens their outlook on life and the world.  Third, and perhaps the best benefit of all, is that after their return to Ireland, the friendship across the ethnic lines and political divide continue naturally for many years....many for life, thus further developing goodwill of lasting quality."

Comments from a 2007 Project Northern Irish teen: "I really can't put into words how grateful I  am to you and everyone who made Ulster Project happen. it was truly the best month of my life and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to meet so many new friends! at this moment in time I'm feeling quite sad but I know it will get easier as we get back into everyday life. I think we are all meeting up tomorrow (fingers crossed) but everyone is starting to go away on holiday so for those of us left at home we have scrapbooks and memories to cry over! I really hope that Ulster Project continues for other teenagers to experience what we have just experienced. I returned home on Wednesday night to hear of fighting and riots just 5 minutes away from my house. Yes, things are getting better here and its no where near as bad as it was in the past but we cannot say that things are perfect or will be anytime in the near future. It is for this reason that Ulster Project must keep happening. If we stopped then who knows what would happen? Any progress made so far could be lost very quickly.
Thank you again for a month that has changed me as a person and that has changed my life. I hope we all stay in touch because we share too many wonderful memories to simply forget about each other.
Lots of Love

Comments from a 2007 Project Northern Irish father: Our daughter has just returned from this years very successful Ulster Project and we would like to pass on our sincere thanks and gratitude for all that our Texan friends did to make the trip such a wonderful and beneficial experience.  She had such a fabulous experience as I am sure all the teens had and I know that it will live with her a very long time.  The website was fantastic - we checked the photos every day!  All of those involve in putting the photos on the website everyday deserve a round of applause for all their hard work!!!  It was wonderful for us to see how everyone was getting on.  Before ...she... went to Texas we knew very little about the state, but since ..her... visit we are avid Texas fans and have looked up lots of facts about the state on the internet!
Could you please pass on our thanks to all involved in The Ulster Project - the committee, parents, helpers - anyone who helped make it such a success.
We wish everyone good luck and best wishes for the future of the project - it is very worthwhile and if we can help in anyway this side of the Atlantic we will.  We will always remember our Texan friends and if any of you are ever in Northern Ireland we would love the opportunity to return your wonderful hospitality and friendship.  God bless,

Comments from a Northern Irish teen: "I would like to thank everyone in America and Northern Ireland for keeping the Ulster Project going all these years...for giving me this brilliant opportunity to spend the past year with people of different cultures and religions.  I hope that in my adult life it will help me to understand and live with my neighbors irrespective of their color, creed or different ways of life."