P.O. Box 22386
Knoxville, TN 37933
www.theulsterproject.com

The Ulster Project of East Tennessee is dedicated to the unification of the teens of Northern Ireland. Separated by eight centuries of hate and distrust, the Catholic and Protestant populations perpetuate a struggle for political, religious and personal freedom.

Four male and four female teens and two trained counselors are brought to East Tennessee from the Derry/Londonderry area of Northern Ireland. As guests in American homes with teens of similar ages and religious beliefs, bonds of trust are formed.

For the month of July, daily activities designed to nurture group dynamics are scheduled. By focusing on the similarities of members and stressing the commonalties of their Christian beliefs, close friendships develop. The benefits to the American and Irish teens are quickly evident. Tennessee neighborhoods of Catholic and Protestant homes living in easy harmony are a model most Irish teens have never seen in their homeland. Realizing that prejudice is a choice, the Irish teens embrace their similarities while respecting their differences. The American participants come to understand the extreme difficulties of living under such repressive social/political pressure and offer support and encouragement to their new Irish friends. As the Irish teens grow to adulthood the lessons learned are applied to their areas of influence diminishing differences and establishing a basis for peace and harmony.