"Creating an atmosphere in which Catholic and Protestant teenagers are brought together on "neutral ground" to learn to know and trust each other while engaged in pre-planned activities."
"We are still trying to comprehend how people so far away can be so kind and caring about people most of you have never met. There are many people in Derry who have now heard of your Program and seem to be very excited about it. We don't know if you really understand the impact you have had on touching the hearts of the people of Derry. God Bless all of you."
Kathleen and Manus McDaid
Derry, No. Ireland
May 1, 2006
Previous participants in the Children for Peace in Ireland program get together in Belfast.
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Children for Peace in Ireland, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that serves a variety of communities in Northern Ireland and Kansas City, U.S.A. CFP’s goal is to help identify, discuss and alleviate the prejudice and bigotry among the young people in Northern Ireland and the U.S. by educating affected Irish and American teens through a network of caring families, Youth Workers and Chaperones. Our efforts include pre-planned team building exercises, education about tolerance for cultural and religious differences and recreational activities for “at risk” youth, that bring both sides together. It also helps make American teens more acutely aware of the importance of social tolerance and promotes unity among people, no matter what background individuals possess or in what country people reside.
Our Program improves the ability for young people to get together in a non-threatening environment. We state “non-threatening” because these same young adults are not living in an area that allows them to visit each other as openly as we enjoy here in the U.S.A. Clearly, this restriction to interaction serves as an impediment to unification and limits those affected from becoming more educated on exactly what the primary differences are between the people of Northern Ireland – whether perceived or otherwise. By providing a social interaction environment, it is hoped that people can get together and discuss their differences in a civil and meaningful way. Through dialogue and tolerance it is possible for all communities to live together in a peaceful and constructive manner.
The CFP has not only enjoyed success with the Irish teens but has also proven to be rather beneficial to the American teens. Indeed, the host teens who participate in the program are made aware of the difficulties that the Irish teens experience. For many, it is an awakening as we do not necessarily experience the division that is clearly evident in Northern Ireland. It is healthy for kids to be aware of the fact that these circumstances exist elsewhere in the world as it re-emphasizes the need for tolerance between people at all levels and in all areas of the country and world.
2008 Kansas City Irish Fest
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Getting Along
by Caitlin Lawlor
People have different opinions,
they come from mind and heart,
But when it comes to getting along,
we all have to play a part.
If you dont like the person,
just try your best,
I'm sure you could find that you can be kind,
just don't be a pest.
All people are different,
some are a funny size,
Some are kind and some are not,
and most are very wise.
In the end you wil see,
how kind you can be,
And you'll be friends to the end,
as happy as can be!
Caitlin Lawlor is from the Short Strand area in Belfast. She is 10 1/2 years old and loves writing Poems.
