Stories from Project Children: 'They wanted kids to come to the US and make friends so that when they grow up, they're not trying to bomb each other'

"The peace-building initiative brought Catholic and Protestant young people from Northern Ireland to America for a summer of respite from the sectarian violence unfolding at home. Here, some of those who took part look back on how it changed their lives. It might have been 40 years ago, but Patricia MacBride still laughs thinking back to her first time on a plane."

"The 14-year-old from rural Co Derry was one of more than 100 children flying from Ireland to America as part of the Project Children initiative when, as one of the older youngsters on board, she found herself tasked with an unexpected role. "The plane had a first-class cabin upstairs and the four oldest participants were sent up there to sit with the two immigration officers to fill in everybody's passport details on the landing cards."

Project Children flew more than 100 Catholic and Protestant young people from Northern Ireland to America for a summer respite from the sectarian violence at home. Participants experienced new environments and responsibilities that contrasted with their daily lives in Northern Ireland. Patricia MacBride, aged 14 at the time, recalled her first flight and being assigned to help complete passport landing cards with immigration officers. The first-class experience on the outbound flight left a lasting impression and made the return in coach feel devastating. Forty years later, participants remember the program as life-changing and formative.

Read at Independent