This project, funded under the International Fund for Ireland Wider Horizons Program, is run in association with Project Children and Habitat for Humanity. This Program offers disadvantaged young people, aged 18-28, from the two traditions in N. Ireland and the South the opportunity to improve their employment prospects through the provision of training and work experience at home and abroad.

The program selects a 1/3rd of the participants from the Protestant/Unionist communities in Northern Ireland, 1/3rd from the Catholic/Nationalist communities in Northern Ireland, and 1/3rd from the Republic of Ireland.

The main purpose of the Project is to foster contact, dialogue and reconciliation between Unionist and Nationalist communities throughout Ireland.

The link with Project Children and Habitat for Humanity provides a work/training element, building homes for disadvantaged American families, for the trainees whilst they live and work together in the USA.

The reason for the trainees working and living together in the US, is to show that people from various religious, cultural and political backgrounds can and do work together without division. Also, by working away from their own environments the trainees learn that they have much more in common than they are conditioned to believe.

The project has been run in a number of US locations, including, Montana,Texas, Florida, Atlantic City, New York State, and Washington D.C.

The most recent project ran in Washington D.C. from the 15th Oct. 2003 through to the 5th Dec. 2003. A sister project also ran in Atlantic City from the 14th Oct. 2003 through to 6th Dec. 2003. The lead organization for this project was the Tyrone and Donegal Partnership based in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. Clanrye Employment and Training Services, based in Newry, Co. Down managed the project on behalf of Tyrone/Donegal Partnership due to their long-standing association with Project Children and previous experience in running these projects.

12 trainees from the following areas where involved with the project: Co. Donegal, Rep. of Ireland, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland, Co. Down, N. Ireland.

The trainees received 8 weeks training in carpentry training - provided by FAS, the Republic of Ireland State Training Agency. During this time they trainees also received reconciliation training and team building training.

During their stay in the USA, the trainees where accommodated with local families in the Washington D.C. Area. This element of the program allows the students the chance to experience a fuller cultural experience whilst they are here. During this project the trainees got the opportunity to help build houses, whilst updating their carpentry and construetion skills.

Reconciliation training, in the form of Conflict Problem Solving, was also provided by Tearing Down Walls Coordinator Bob Myers.

Team Building training was provided at the Hemlock Overlook Outdoor Training Centre - an offshoot of George Mason University.

The Bricklayers Union also provided training in the form of basic bricklaying/masonry skills at Fort Richie, Maryland. The Bricklayers Union also provided Computer/I.T. training at their headquarters in Washington D.C.

This was a very successful project. The trainees bonded really well, and their differences disappeared. Great friendships have been made which willbe continued upon the trainees' return to Ireland.

Success for the project has to go to the sterling work of Project Children (Denis Mulcahy and Carol Wheeler) and Tearing Down Walls (Bob Myers - pictured above with two Of the trainees). The help and assistance provided by both these organizations in organizing the work/training element with Habitat for Humanity and organizing Host Families to accommodate the trainees contributed to the success of the project.