“Smores!” exclaimed Laura J., her face brightening as she revealed one of the foods she’d never tried before coming to America two weeks ago. “They’re lovely.”
Laura J., an expressive teenager from Derry, the second largest city in Northern Ireland, is soaking up American culture, and sampling some of America’s more sought after delicacies. Not to mention, she’s had a temporary reprieve from potatoes. “We eat a lot of potatoes [in Northern Ireland], almost everyday in some form,” said the 16-year-old.
After two short weeks, a fellow visitor from Northern Ireland, Gemma (pronounced Jem-ma), also 16 and from Derry, recognized one of the universal truths in America. “The cinema is freezing,” said Gemma, who has seen three movies since arriving.
While the two friends have learned a lot about the U.S., the principal focus of their stay here has been on their homeland and the problems it faces.
Back home in Northern Ireland, which is plagued by religious conflict dating back decades, Laura J. and Gemma may never have become friends. Laura J. is Protestant, and Gemma is Catholic.
AS PART OF a friendship-building program that promotes interaction between Catholic and Protestant teenagers of Northern Ireland, Laura J. and Gemma, along with about 30 others, have come to Northern Virginia to help bridge the religious divide.
Called the Children’s Friendship Project for Northern Ireland (CFPNI), the teens spend a month in the U.S., considered a neutral environment, to foster reconciliation and promote tolerance. At their request, The Connection is not printing the last names of the students involved.
Since CFPNI formed in 1987, more than 2,500 young people have come to the U.S. to participate in the project.
Nationwide, the project supports about 100 young people, ages 15-17 from all six counties of Northern Ireland. U.S. host families, an integral part of the program, accommodate both a Catholic and Protestant teenager.
During the summer trip, the teens often get together to participate in larger activities, cultural and social, designed to dispel stereotypes and increase cultural awareness.
Next week, the group will visit Capitol Hill to meet with several U.S. representatives. Last year, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) headlined the visit.
“We also have four leadership events each year,” said Tamera Drozd, the project’s Northern Virginia coordinator, adding that the activities foster team-building and communication.
LAST WEDNESDAY and Thursday, the group held their community service leadership event in Reston.
On Wednesday, they went to three grocery stores to solicit money for Reston Interfaith’s food pantry, which serves between 500 and 800 local families in need each month.
In about four hours, the teens raised $360 for the pantry and collected about 5 full grocery carts of food, according to Mary Supley Foxworth, Reston Interfaith’s volunteer program intern, who said local residents were very receptive to the teens.
On Thursday, the Irish group filled United Christian Parish, located across the street from Hunters Woods Shopping Center, to prepare bag lunches for people who live at Embry Rucker Community Shelter. “They prepared over 80 bag lunches, which is something we’re really short on right now,” said Judith Eisen, the charity’s community resource coordinator at the shelter.
Later that night, the teens prepared and served dinner for the 70 shelter residents. They made an Irish dish, shepherd’s pie. “It’s not as common as you’d think it might be,” said Laura J., as she cooked ground beef in the church kitchen Thursday afternoon.
MEANWHILE, FRIENDSHIPS have blossomed and preconceptions have faded. “Despite the religion, we have so much in common,” said Jade, 17, a Protestant, who is “getting on well” with her roommate. “It’s even been interesting finding out about [my roommate’s] religion,” she said.
Laura E., another project participant, said the project experience has been amazing. She plans to recommend it to friends.
The young adults realize that the hard part will be going back home to spread the message. “Back home, it will have a big impact. We can help to break down barriers,” said Jade.
But for now, Jade is staying away from American popcorn. “It’s too buttery,” said Jade, before admitting she loved Reece’s Pieces. “We don’t have them.”