A party of local teenagers will travel to the United States this summer with the Ulster Project Northern Ireland, which is in its 40th year. Enniskillen has been a centre now since 1989, making it its 26th year.

James McLaughlin and Laura Richmond are the Project Coordinators for Enniskillen. James was a teen in 2001 and a leader for five years.

Jason Livingstone is now secretary, having been a past leader on two years, and also a past teen in 2007. Clare McClintock, a past teen in 2004, and Niall Mulrine are both joining them as leaders this year.

Clare and Jason will take 12 teens to Cincinnati in Ohio, and Laura and Niall will take 12 to Madison in Indiana, while James will travel between both locations.

“Each Enniskillen teen will be paired with an American teen, same sex but opposite religion,” explained Jason Livingstone, who added that the month long project will take place from June 25 to July 25.

He highlighted: “It will be a mixture of service projects (homeless shelter, care homes visits etc), fun activities and educational workshops known as discovery. This is where the teens learn and discuss topics affecting society today. Racism, sectarianism, homelessness and how to become future leaders.” Jason reflected that the project, now in its 40th year in Northern Ireland, was originally set up to build bridges.

He mentioned that the original founder, Kerry Waterstone, saw from his trips to the United States how the people have learned to live together in harmony for a great good. “He believed that the young people of Northern Ireland could learn from our American friends to help Northern Ireland move forward,” indicated Jason.

Support is being sought for fundraising events, which are being arranged from now until June.

An upcoming activity will be a coffee morning on Saturday, March 28, at St. Michael’s Parish Centre, Enniskillen after 10am mass. A coffee morning and car boot sale will be held at Lisbellaw Parish Centre.

On Saturday, May 16, a cake sale will be held at the Diamond, Enniskillen, from 9am onwards.

They are also planning to hold a Coffee and Cake event with the Saxophone Man in the Cathedral Hall, while other future dates will include June 6 and 7, bag packing at ASDA Enniskillen. On Friday, June 12, an Ulster Project Concert 2015 will be held at the Ardhowen. A table quiz date is still be confirmed.