What is the Ulster Project?

Answer 1

The ULSTER PROJECT is an interdernominational organization that promotes peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. For decades, sectarian violence and strife has been waged between the Protestant (British) citizens of Northern Ireland and the Catholics (Irish). The Ulster Project was started by Rev. Canon Kerry Waterstone in the 1970's. The Project brings Catholic and Protestant youth from Northern Ireland to the United States each July. They are matched up with local youth and live with their American host families for the Project month. While they are here, the entire group works and plays together. They participate in daily activities of a social, service, and spiritual nature. The purpose of the Project is to allow impressionable teens from Northern Ireland to make friends with other teens who live on the opposite side of the conflict. These friendships last for a lifetime, and are maintained after the teens return home to Northern Ireland at the end of July. The American hosts teens give their Irish guests a chance to experience a different culture and way of life, in a country where different religions and nationalities find greater tolerance and acceptance. The Ulster Project has about 30 chapters located throughout the U.S. Thousands of Northern Ireland's young people have experienced the Project over the past three decades, and we believe the Project has made an impact upon the Northern Irish peace process. Many of out Project teens tell us this experience was "the greatest summer of their life". The Ulster Project needs help from local American volunteers to plan activities, raise funds and conduct the Project month in July. We also need families to host an Irish teen in their homes. To find out more about the Ulster Project, visit

www.ulsterproject.org Thank you!