Craic @ Corrymeela

The Youthstock Daily
21st June 2001 Summer Solstice


Why does it make a difference?

Yesterday, grant making groups toured the city of Derry to meet and interview projects that had made grant applications, but also to get a feel for what it is like to live and work in a place divided by tradition and belief. Young people visited the spot where on Sunday 30th January 1972, 14 civil rights marchers were shot and killed by British Paratroopers. The Bogside murals are powerful symbols of the emotions felt towards the conflict between the Loyalists and the Unionist communities.

Youth workers from in and around Derry explained what the troubles have meant to those living there. Often portrayed in the media as a trouble spot, the human side of Derry and its history is often missed. The realisation that people have died defending their beliefs in the very streets where the group were now walking and that strong feelings between communities still reside, made some people feel as though they were intruding.

"I saw Derry as a town of flags, coloured pavements (red, white and blue to depict the boarders of a Nationalist neighborhood and orange, white and green marking a Republican neighborhood) and murals. On the street I tried to see the difference between Protestant and Catholic faces, but I couldn't. People all look the same, speak the same, but obviously that is not enough to live in peace. They say it is much better now compared with what it was like. Everyone tells me that the 'magical' cure is time. So be it."

Links across a divided community

In Derry yesterday, Youthstock grant makers interviewed youth projects to find out what they needed a grant for and how they would use their experience to benefit other young people in the City.

Our first visit was to REAC Across, a cross community youth group that attracts between 30 and 40 young people each week. Members explained how community divisions have been bridged in the past by the use of residentials (overnight conferences), activities, training courses and group meetings. A grant would enable the project to organise a Community Relations course and hopefully help members achieve their goal of cross community balance amongst participants.

Although initially nervous, because it was my first interview, the young people spoke confidently about the programme and their plans for the future. Some of the questions we posed were misinterpreted, which was a good lesson for us, in terms of the way questions are phrased.

Overall a good background and descriptive picture was drawn about the project and we felt the interview went well and there was positive feedback.

Young Grant Makers Act

Group Six split into two groups of three to interview their grant applicants. The first group included Bobbie from Bristol, Jelena from Croatia and Jenny from the USA. They interviewed Ciara, aged 20, who runs a drama programme for children aged 4-7.

The group decided on four main questions to aid their decision-making. What is the grant for? Who will benefit? Is the budget realistic? And do young people lead the project?

Ciara and ten of her young actors gave us a great presentation. She had been working with the group for just over a year and is anxious to see the funding continue. Ciare pointed out that the children are not just guided in acting, but are encouraged to use their imagination and through different activities will build their confidence. Both Protestant and Catholic children are involved in the Project and they do many interactive things to break down the barriers and stereotypes. Finally, Ciara explained that funding for the programme has been cut back. Our grant would help with rent for a space and to bring in experts to work with the young people.

Group 5 Report

Our first interview was with a developing 'street drama' group run by 21 year old Sinead. They were seeking funding to begin a group, which by offering drama workshops and discussion to get the youth involved in the arts, would provide a means of keeping them off the street and out of trouble. The group was extremely friendly, confident and enthusiastic, with plans to stage their productions as part of local festivals.

Our second grant application was from a youth centre in Creggan. They want funding to allow them to expand and generally improve their centre. The group was also very friendly, but a bit shy. I'd be scared if I'd been them. This is a younger group with their eldest member and applicant being just 16. With the cash they will purchase equipment, possibly seeking more youth workers but definitely buy some nets for their footy goals. Our final group was a 'girl power' group. We were all intrigued to find out more about this project and once we got there, we were very impressed.

All in all we were REALLY impressed with everyone. Now the hardest part-who's going to get what?

END

By MacVey ( - 195.147.218.80) on Thursday, June 21, 2001 - 05:38 pm:

Hey y'all, this is the final message this week. It is unfortunate that it has gone so fast but it has been a great time. This afternoon we packed into a Native American sweat lodge for quite an experience. We spent four rounds in it, each time with an increasing temperature. I was definitely hotter than ever before. Tonight we made some closing performances. Scott and I did a hip-hop bit as well as starring in a film and the rest of us were involved in a drama production. All of it was very well done and received a lot of applause. We are about to have a barbeque. After taking my shirt off for the lodge everyone is concerned about my weight, so I guess I had better go eat some food!!
Booya
MacVey

By Scott M. Dane ( - 195.147.216.200) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 05:48 am:

What an emotionally and physically draining day. We went into the sweat lodge and it was an amazing experience. I cannot explain to you at all the feelings. It was an experience that can only be felt, not explained. Perhaps that's why it so amazing.

Then the fun began... I was the MC at the presentations but in the middle decided to have a Missy Elliott experience and put my trash bags on and Matt and I performed our remix of Get Ur Freak On. It was awesome...be sure to check out the pic. Then Trish yanked me into a hall and I was forced into a skirt and ruffley shirt and then danced the night away. I didn't stop sweating from five to about midnight. I think I lost about three stone.

I feel like we've been here for weeks and now we must leave. I think I'm most sad about leaving my new found friends. There are so many amazing people that I'm going to miss dearly. What a great experience!

By Elsa Mersereau ( - 195.147.216.200) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 06:00 am:

Well this is it, my final journal entry. Thank you to all who have been following us along our trip. Today was the final activities of a week of fun and learning. We meet with our grant-making group and decided which grants would receive money from us. In our discussion I caught myself saying dollars instead of pounds many times. We are definitely known around here as the Stupid Americans. Between all the groups we funded programs dealing with health, environmental, recreation, and education. Sounds familiar? We worked on our finalizing our dramatic performance for the Summer Solstice Celebration. The Americans ventured into the Native American sweat lodge this afternoon. I didn't get much out of it, but I heard it could be very healing. The longest night of the year ended with sundown at 11:30, a barbecue, and a dance party with a Brazilian percussion band. This week has been so amazing. I loved meeting all these different people and working with them on one goal. After this week I'm know an expert on Bristol slang, Irish sarcasm, and Croatian dance. Thank you to all.

Booya and Cheers!!!!!

Elsa

By Danielle Williams ( - 195.147.216.200) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 06:04 am:

Well, this is it-
This is our last journal entry from Northern Ireland. Yesterday morning after breakfast we presented our grants. My group ended up funding only two of our projects.  One of them just did not include enough detail...like a budget. But it was ok because they had a wonderful idea. With a little more planning I'm sure they would get a grant. Yesterday evening, we all went into the Native American sweatlodge. It was so cool. Some people didn't like it so much but I really enjoyed it. I have never sweat so much in my life. All the groups presented their projects. Matt and Scott rapped...it was pretty scary. Elsa, Jenny, and I had a great time presenting our drama performance. Last but not least we had burgers and fries at the cook out...it was great. See you all soon and thanks for watching. Signing out from Northern Ireland, this is Danielle!
Booyah

By Jenny Zeisler ( - 195.147.216.200) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 06:05 am:

Thursday

Yesterday was a great day! At each meal, one of the Corrymeela volunteers rings the bell to initiate a moment of silence. I forgot to mention that two days ago, I got to ring the bell for the moment of silence at lunch! :)

The Factory 11:00 am. We made our final decision about our grant applicants. Though we had quite a bit of discussion, we decided that both our grants (one which was to assist a 20 year old who is working with a mixed group of Protestant and Catholic doing drama activities and the other is to assist a 20 year old who is working with helping young women who are homeless get out on their own) deserved £500 of funding (ie. $705 each).

We then presented our decision to the whole group. It was so fun! Everyone was happy and clapping...I think its safe to say there is an international understanding of what youth grantmaking is all about!

Sweat Lodge 5:00 pm. This was a really interesting Native American tradition. We sat in a small "lodge" about ten feet around and three feet high. Then they brought in hot rocks, and closed the door, so we were in complete darkness. Then, the Carl BigHeart, the Native American who was leading the session, put all kinds of water and good smelling things on the rocks.

We had four rounds of this, each about 30 minutes to 45 minutes long. It was really hot! It is supposed to be a healing ceremony, and each round is dedicated to healing different things.

After three hours of the sweat lodge, I had a really bad headache. I feel ok today, but I know with out a doubt, the emotional release and the things that were shared, made the experience worth it!

I have to go for now...but next entry I will include a little on our final drama presentation, and our summer solstice party!

By Gabi Lopez-Betanzos ( - 195.147.216.200) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 06:08 am:

Hey all!

This is my last posting. This conference has been so packed that I have to do this in a hurry!

I've had a great time meeting people, doing stuff, and seeing Northern Ireland.

Cheers,
Gabi

By Jenny Zeisler ( - 195.147.216.200) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 06:26 am:

I'm back!

Final Presentation 9:00 pm. Each of the four groups (ie. drama, animation, outdoor adventure and video) gave a final presentation. Our group gave a dramatic presentation using imagery and a bit of humor.

Summer Solstice Celebration. The evening started with a samba band and a bbq. With already so little night time darkness, the solstice made the night even longer. After the samba band we had another dance, but this time with salsa music.

After all the dancing and eating, we had a huge bonfire. We sat around, all mixed in together, talking. We had a grand time!

Friday.

Its time to say good bye. Of course, I'm really bad at good byes...so this is my least favorite time! We packed up our things, changed the sheets in our rooms and then gathered together for one final moment of reflections.

A representative from each group explained what their time here has meant. Together, the group decided our time together at YouthStock has meant: peace, happiness, making new friends, learning about new cultures, learning the joys and let downs of grantmaking, learning about the sadness in Northern Ireland and Croatia/Bosnia, and learning all types of new things that will help in our grantmaking!

Now we are off to spend a we bit of time in Belfast, and then to Dublin for the evening. We fly from Dublin to Chicago on Saturday. Then will meet our Michigan friends at Central Michigan University on Sunday morning!

Farewell my new friends! We shall meet again!

Cheers!