Teenagers to attend US peace conference

Fermanagh teenager Kirsty Clarke, whose family’s life has been affected by the Troubles, is travelling to the US once again this summer to attend a Peace Conference. The 17-year-old from Aghavea, Brookeborough, along with local young people Megan Lindsay, from Omagh, Sarah Olorunda, from Belfast, and Kyra Black, from Cookstown, will represent South East Fermanagh Foundation and Justice for Innocent Victims of Terrorism Ltd at the Global Peacebuilding Conference organised via the Tuesday’s Children organisation and its Project Common Bond Programme. Those representing SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd will be part of an international grouping of young people whose families’ lives have been directly affected by terrorism. The Conference will be held at Bryn Mawr College near Philadelphia from July 25 to August 3, 2015. GCSE student Kirsty Clarke, who attended last year, and Sarah Olorunda, 16, will represent SEFF based in Lisnaskea, and Kyra Black, 21, who also attended last year, and Megan Lindsay, 15, will represent J.I.V.T. Meanwhile Sharon Gault, wife of Stephen Gault, an Enniskillen Bomb survivor, whose father Samuel lost his life, will accompany the young people as their chaperone. Stephen will also travel to the US and will contribute to the Conference programme. In reference to the young participants, Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services for SEFF, explained that Kirsty’s grandfather Jimmy Graham and his two brothers, Ronnie and Cecil Graham were murdered by the IRA over a four year period in the South East Fermanagh area. All were off duty UDR part-time soldiers, he said. “Sarah’s grandfather Max Olorunda, a civilian and Nigerian born businessman, was murdered as a consequence of a PIRA bomb on the Finaghy train line,” said Mr. Donaldson, who pointed out that Kyra’s dad David was a serving Prison Officer and was murdered whilst he travelled to his workplace. “Megan’s Grandfather Alfie Woods (RUC) was murdered on his 50th birthday,” reflected Kenny, adding that “Megan’s grandmother tragically then died less than a year later”. Megan said she is really looking forward to travelling to the States: “To know that I am part of an International network of families who have been affected by terrorism will show me that Northern Ireland is not so different to many other nations, having come through terrorism, violence and civil unrest.” Megan’s mother, Jean Lindsay said she values the opportunity being offered to Megan “to meet with other young people from across the world who have endured similar experiences” to their family. Kirsty Clarke, a pupil at Erne Integrated College, said this week she is looking forward to going back to the same place and she hopes to meet up with some of last year’s participants. The way other people coped with the way they were affected inspired her, she said. “SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd are honoured to be sending four young women to this year’s PCB Conference taking place in Philadelphia in late July/early August,” commented Kenny Donaldson, who highlighted that this year the party from Northern Ireland will also be spending an extra few days touring New York, meeting with representatives of the New York Police and Fire Department as well as the Mayor’s office. “It promises to be an unforgettable experience,” he said. He noted: “SEFF has a facing outwards ethos which means that we will always strive to encourage families connected with our organisation to build networks with others who come from similar backgrounds and experiences (irrespective of where they are located in the world). Together we are stronger.” Mr. Donaldson highlighted a number of upcoming fundraising initiatives to go towards participants’ air fares. On Saturday, May 23, the organisations held a cake sale in The Diamond area of Enniskillen, and there will was also a cookery book on sale. Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 30, 2015, there will be a Tractor Run and old style Country Sports and Amusements’ day being held from Aghavea C.O.I. Church Hall, Brookeborough from around 12pm onwards. Anyone interesting in entering a tractor in the run (£15 per tractor) is extended a welcome. The route will take in the country roads of South East Fermanagh. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle, balloon modelling, barbeque food, skittles, money in the haystack game and much more to entertain families. The event, being run by Kirsty and her family, will take place from 11.30am to 4pm. Mr. Donaldson encourages the public to support the families whose young people are attending the conference. He can be contacted on: 028 677 23884/028 677 22242 for further information.

ermanagh teenager Kirsty Clarke, whose family’s life has been affected by the Troubles, is travelling to the US once again this summer to attend a Peace Conference. The 17-year-old from Aghavea, Brookeborough, along with local young people Megan Lindsay, from Omagh, Sarah Olorunda, from Belfast, and Kyra Black, from Cookstown, will represent South East Fermanagh Foundation and Justice for Innocent Victims of Terrorism Ltd at the Global Peacebuilding Conference organised via the Tuesday’s Children organisation and its Project Common Bond Programme. Those representing SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd will be part of an international grouping of young people whose families’ lives have been directly affected by terrorism. The Conference will be held at Bryn Mawr College near Philadelphia from July 25 to August 3, 2015. GCSE student Kirsty Clarke, who attended last year, and Sarah Olorunda, 16, will represent SEFF based in Lisnaskea, and Kyra Black, 21, who also attended last year, and Megan Lindsay, 15, will represent J.I.V.T. Meanwhile Sharon Gault, wife of Stephen Gault, an Enniskillen Bomb survivor, whose father Samuel lost his life, will accompany the young people as their chaperone. Stephen will also travel to the US and will contribute to the Conference programme. In reference to the young participants, Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services for SEFF, explained that Kirsty’s grandfather Jimmy Graham and his two brothers, Ronnie and Cecil Graham were murdered by the IRA over a four year period in the South East Fermanagh area. All were off duty UDR part-time soldiers, he said. “Sarah’s grandfather Max Olorunda, a civilian and Nigerian born businessman, was murdered as a consequence of a PIRA bomb on the Finaghy train line,” said Mr. Donaldson, who pointed out that Kyra’s dad David was a serving Prison Officer and was murdered whilst he travelled to his workplace. “Megan’s Grandfather Alfie Woods (RUC) was murdered on his 50th birthday,” reflected Kenny, adding that “Megan’s grandmother tragically then died less than a year later”. Megan said she is really looking forward to travelling to the States: “To know that I am part of an International network of families who have been affected by terrorism will show me that Northern Ireland is not so different to many other nations, having come through terrorism, violence and civil unrest.” Megan’s mother, Jean Lindsay said she values the opportunity being offered to Megan “to meet with other young people from across the world who have endured similar experiences” to their family. Kirsty Clarke, a pupil at Erne Integrated College, said this week she is looking forward to going back to the same place and she hopes to meet up with some of last year’s participants. The way other people coped with the way they were affected inspired her, she said. “SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd are honoured to be sending four young women to this year’s PCB Conference taking place in Philadelphia in late July/early August,” commented Kenny Donaldson, who highlighted that this year the party from Northern Ireland will also be spending an extra few days touring New York, meeting with representatives of the New York Police and Fire Department as well as the Mayor’s office. “It promises to be an unforgettable experience,” he said. He noted: “SEFF has a facing outwards ethos which means that we will always strive to encourage families connected with our organisation to build networks with others who come from similar backgrounds and experiences (irrespective of where they are located in the world). Together we are stronger.” Mr. Donaldson highlighted a number of upcoming fundraising initiatives to go towards participants’ air fares. On Saturday, May 23, the organisations held a cake sale in The Diamond area of Enniskillen, and there will was also a cookery book on sale. Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 30, 2015, there will be a Tractor Run and old style Country Sports and Amusements’ day being held from Aghavea C.O.I. Church Hall, Brookeborough from around 12pm onwards. Anyone interesting in entering a tractor in the run (£15 per tractor) is extended a welcome. The route will take in the country roads of South East Fermanagh. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle, balloon modelling, barbeque food, skittles, money in the haystack game and much more to entertain families. The event, being run by Kirsty and her family, will take place from 11.30am to 4pm. Mr. Donaldson encourages the public to support the families whose young people are attending the conference. He can be contacted on: 028 677 23884/028 677 22242 for further information. - See more at: http://www.impartialreporter.com/news/roundup/articles/2015/06/02/935200-teenagers-to-attend-us-peace-conference/#sthash.ukljIrwE.dpuf

ermanagh teenager Kirsty Clarke, whose family’s life has been affected by the Troubles, is travelling to the US once again this summer to attend a Peace Conference. The 17-year-old from Aghavea, Brookeborough, along with local young people Megan Lindsay, from Omagh, Sarah Olorunda, from Belfast, and Kyra Black, from Cookstown, will represent South East Fermanagh Foundation and Justice for Innocent Victims of Terrorism Ltd at the Global Peacebuilding Conference organised via the Tuesday’s Children organisation and its Project Common Bond Programme. Those representing SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd will be part of an international grouping of young people whose families’ lives have been directly affected by terrorism. The Conference will be held at Bryn Mawr College near Philadelphia from July 25 to August 3, 2015. GCSE student Kirsty Clarke, who attended last year, and Sarah Olorunda, 16, will represent SEFF based in Lisnaskea, and Kyra Black, 21, who also attended last year, and Megan Lindsay, 15, will represent J.I.V.T. Meanwhile Sharon Gault, wife of Stephen Gault, an Enniskillen Bomb survivor, whose father Samuel lost his life, will accompany the young people as their chaperone. Stephen will also travel to the US and will contribute to the Conference programme. In reference to the young participants, Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services for SEFF, explained that Kirsty’s grandfather Jimmy Graham and his two brothers, Ronnie and Cecil Graham were murdered by the IRA over a four year period in the South East Fermanagh area. All were off duty UDR part-time soldiers, he said. “Sarah’s grandfather Max Olorunda, a civilian and Nigerian born businessman, was murdered as a consequence of a PIRA bomb on the Finaghy train line,” said Mr. Donaldson, who pointed out that Kyra’s dad David was a serving Prison Officer and was murdered whilst he travelled to his workplace. “Megan’s Grandfather Alfie Woods (RUC) was murdered on his 50th birthday,” reflected Kenny, adding that “Megan’s grandmother tragically then died less than a year later”. Megan said she is really looking forward to travelling to the States: “To know that I am part of an International network of families who have been affected by terrorism will show me that Northern Ireland is not so different to many other nations, having come through terrorism, violence and civil unrest.” Megan’s mother, Jean Lindsay said she values the opportunity being offered to Megan “to meet with other young people from across the world who have endured similar experiences” to their family. Kirsty Clarke, a pupil at Erne Integrated College, said this week she is looking forward to going back to the same place and she hopes to meet up with some of last year’s participants. The way other people coped with the way they were affected inspired her, she said. “SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd are honoured to be sending four young women to this year’s PCB Conference taking place in Philadelphia in late July/early August,” commented Kenny Donaldson, who highlighted that this year the party from Northern Ireland will also be spending an extra few days touring New York, meeting with representatives of the New York Police and Fire Department as well as the Mayor’s office. “It promises to be an unforgettable experience,” he said. He noted: “SEFF has a facing outwards ethos which means that we will always strive to encourage families connected with our organisation to build networks with others who come from similar backgrounds and experiences (irrespective of where they are located in the world). Together we are stronger.” Mr. Donaldson highlighted a number of upcoming fundraising initiatives to go towards participants’ air fares. On Saturday, May 23, the organisations held a cake sale in The Diamond area of Enniskillen, and there will was also a cookery book on sale. Meanwhile, on Saturday, May 30, 2015, there will be a Tractor Run and old style Country Sports and Amusements’ day being held from Aghavea C.O.I. Church Hall, Brookeborough from around 12pm onwards. Anyone interesting in entering a tractor in the run (£15 per tractor) is extended a welcome. The route will take in the country roads of South East Fermanagh. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle, balloon modelling, barbeque food, skittles, money in the haystack game and much more to entertain families. The event, being run by Kirsty and her family, will take place from 11.30am to 4pm. Mr. Donaldson encourages the public to support the families whose young people are attending the conference. He can be contacted on: 028 677 23884/028 677 22242 for further information. - See more at: http://www.impartialreporter.com/news/roundup/articles/2015/06/02/935200-teenagers-to-attend-us-peace-conference/#sthash.ukljIrwE.dpuf