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“It is not “forgive and forget” as if nothing wrong had ever happened, but “forgive and go forward,” building on the mistakes of the past and the energy generated by reconciliation to create a new future.” -Alan Paton Over the past month here in Northern Ireland I have learned so much about the people andContinue reading “Forgive and Go Forward”

I’m sitting here, with a half finished cup of coffee, and still don’t know how I am going to sum up this experience in one blog post. This trip has changed me in ways that I can’t explain. It has opened my eyes to a country’s experience with trauma and pain, and how individuals andContinue reading “How Do I Even Begin?…”

In a country fraught with conflict, it sounds odd to say that I have found peace here. It is hard to explain, really, but my experiences in Derry have given me a sense of hope and assurance that I had not expected to receive. My definition of peace itself has been broadened over the courseContinue reading “Peace Out: A Final Reflection on Our Time in Derry”

Over the past few weeks in Derry, I have learned so many things. Some of which included that Derry is the perfect size city, walk-able with a lot to see, I can get tired of eating chips, and that strangers are sometimes the kindest people you will meet. One of my favorite aspects of DerryContinue reading “Saying Goodbye”

During my time here in Derry, there are three major highlights that come right to mind, and that I’d like to point out. I will also discuss what these highlights taught me about myself, and about the country. The first and most impactful highlight of this trip was the Free Derry Museum, it made meContinue reading “Northern Ireland and its Wonders”

It’s easy to make the argument that we will never be able to attain a state of peace in the world. That there will always be war, violence, death, and everything in between. But, peace isn’t just about stopping a war or holding back on using violence. Peace is a collective state of mind thatContinue reading “Roger McCallum: Building Peace from the Ground Up”

Meet Richard Moore.  Born in 1961, Moore grew up in the Creggan Estate, the hill located on the bogside of Derry.  It was a very beautiful and peaceful place to be raised, but what seemed like overnight, it became a warzone.  Riots occurred on a daily basis, IRA men were patrolling the streets, the smellContinue reading “A Vision for Peace”

A person from Derry who I would like to introduce is John Kelly. Mr. Kelly is an education director at the Free Derry museum but before I go into the now I would like to talk about his childhood. He grew up on the bogside in Creggan. Although a poor neighborhood, he described Creggan asContinue reading “John Kelly: The Affects”

During our time here in Northern Ireland we have met a lot of incredible peace builders that have all had an inspiring story to tell. Maeve O’Brien was one of the people that stood out to me the most for her work with women in Northern Ireland. I had the chance to speak with herContinue reading “A Fight for Women’s Rights”

Modesty, I find is a dying trait. I often find that I am surrounded by people that seek to humble brag their way towards recognition. The good they do is often done simply for that recognition. Yet, every once in a while I find a person that is truly a good person. Richie Hetherington isContinue reading “Happy Days”