Fermanagh teenagers - whose families have lost loved ones through terrorism - are setting off to a Global Terrorism Conference in the United States of America this July.

Rebecca Carson, from Maguiresbridge (an attendee last year), Mark Crawford from Enniskillen, and Kirsty Clarke, from Lisnaskea, will join Kyra Black from Cookstown as they represent South East Fermanagh Foundation and Justice for Innocent Victims of Terrorism Ltd at the major gathering near Philadelphia.

Described as ‘wonderful young people’, the SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd representatives will be part of an international grouping of young people whose lives have been directly affected by terrorism in attendance at the Conference, which will be held at the Bryn Mawr College, from July 19 to 28.

The Tuesday’s Children organisation - founded to provide support and services for the children of 9/11 and others affected by global terrorism - organised the event through its Project Common Bond Programme and this will be the fourth year to have Fermanagh representation.

Sixteen-year-olds, Rebecca Carson and Kirsty Clarke will represent SEFF, based in Lisnaskea, and Mark Crawford, 13, and Kyra Black, 18, will represent J.I.V.T. Ltd, based in Tandragee, Co. Armagh. A fifth member of the party, Sharon Gault (wife of Stephen Gault, an Enniskillen Bomb survivor, who lost his father Samuel in the November 1987 explosion) will travel as the chaperone accompanying the young people, who are looking forward to the experience. (Stephen is Chairman of J.I.V.T Ltd and is a member of SEFF, while Sharon is a volunteer with both organisations).

Mark Crawford, whose grandfather Ivan Crawford was 49 when he was murdered, will be the youngest member of the local group and possibly one of the youngest worldwide to attend the conference. The Crawfords lived in Brookeborough, recalls Kenny Donaldson, Director of Services for SEFF and Company Secretary for J.I.V.T. Ltd, who recorded that Ivan was a reserve constable with the RUC. “The father-of-three, a mechanic, was murdered on 9 January 1987 when an IRA bomb hidden in a telegraph pole exploded in High Street, Enniskillen,” he said.

Kirsty Clarke’s grandfather Jimmy Graham and his two brothers - Ronnie and Cecil Graham (Kirsty’s two great uncles) were murdered by the IRA. Mr. Donaldson noted: ”All were off duty UDR part-time soldiers. The murders were carried out over the 1981 to 1985 period in the South Fermanagh area.” Mr. Donaldson noted: “Rebecca Carson’s grandfather Herbie Kernaghan was in the part time UDR and was murdered by PIRA on 15th October, 1979.” Herbie was married to Sylvia, at the time of his murder and they had three children, Deborah, aged 10, (who is Rebecca’s mother), Gary, aged eight, and Gordon, aged six. His fourth child, a son was born on October 29, 1979, just two weeks after his murder, and he was called Herbert after his father.

Rebecca is looking forward to going again this year and would definitely recommend the experience; she has continued to maintain links with young people she met from different parts of the world.

The fourth young person to travel will be Kyra Black. Mr. Donaldson explained: “Kyra Black’s dad David Black was murdered by the ‘New IRA’ in 2012. David was a serving Prison Officer and was murdered whilst he travelled to his workplace.” Mr. Donaldson speaks of the honour for SEFF and J.I.V.T Ltd “to have four wonderful young people represent the organisations at this year’s PCB Conference due to be held in Philadelphia in late July.” He commented: “It has been our experience that young people whose families have been affected by terrorism have questions as to how and why things happened. If these issues are not addressed and adequately dealt with then Transgenerational-based trauma can set in and potentially have destabilising effects upon the life of not only the young person concerned but also the wider family.” He went on to say that the young people, their families and both organisations are now raising funds to cover the costs of the air fares for those attending.

A fundraising event was held recently in Aghavea Church Hall, Maguiresbridge, when a ‘Can’t Cook Won’t Cook’ challenge featured the Rev. Gary McMurray and David Atwell, while a recent cake sale was held on the Diamond, Enniskillen.

Other fundraisers include Cash for Clothes - donations of clothes, shoes, belts and handbags can be dropped off at J.I.V.T Ltd and SEFF offices. Quiz sheets are also in circulation and can be bought directly from SEFF and J.I.V.T. Ltd offices and from the PCB participants. Arrangements are in place for a soup lunch, in association with the NI Prison Service, on June 25 at Magheraberry Prison.

“Members of the public are encouraged to support those families whose young adults are attending the Conference,” urged Mr. Donaldson, who reiterated that they are bringing together families affected by terrorism and he highlighted the message of hope and peace-building. “Terrorism is a crime against humanity - which is the same the world over,” said Mr. Donaldson, who can be contacted for further information on 028 677 23884/028 677 22242.