ADOPT Projects 2009

ADoPT (Association for the Development of Pettigo & Tullyhommon) was founded in 1991 to address the economic and social development of the Pettigo & Tullyhommon area. This community focus has allowed ADoPT to act as a catalyst in further developing all aspects of life within the village and wider rural area.  Since their inception, the group have been proactive in sourcing funding for the community.  


June - October 2009
Update on Donegal Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Funding

Peace III Small Grants Programme - through the vehicles of Art, Sport, Environment, Health and Wellbeing ADOPT have delivered a range of varied and stimulating activities to embace difference and promote tolerance and trust through common interests and activities.

The following Activities/Events took place over the Summer months and ended in October.

Magic Art Workshops

 Using recyclable and junk art materials Magic Art worked with the Women’s Group to create 3 separate fish mosaic pieces which will be placed alongside the river which divides the border.  Through these fun workshops, the women have been able to come together and dilute the notion of a structural border through art.   

Magic Art workshops were also held with our 13-16 yr olds who worked on parade pieces, which they used in the Halloween Forest Parade.  An increased awareness of environmental issues was learned through these Magic Art Workshops.

Small Bussiness Support
This valuable course gave practical advice and support to individuals interested in starting up and running a small business.  The training enabled people to make informed decisions about their business.  One to one mentoring was offered to all participants.

Networking

An opportunity was identified for the local youth to become involved in a cross border cricket project with Kesh youth.  Cricket has never been played in the local area and this opportunity gave us the chance for the youth to build social skills and learn through a new sport.  Pettigo youth travelled up to Kesh cricket club.  Pettigo youth have recently started playing soccer in Kesh and as a result youth from Pettigo & Kesh travelled together to watch a Finn Harps Match in Ballybofey.  This was a great opportunity to bring the youth together to get to know each other, share experiences and to start the process of open communication.

Small Business Support
This valuable course gave practical advice and support to individuals interested in starting up and running a small business.  The training enabled people to make informed decisions about their business.  One to one mentoring was offered to all participants.

Yoga Classes
To incorporate a community development approach to healthcare with a holistic approach to health & well-being, two separate sets of yoga classes took place.   The classes were really enjoyed by women coming together in a neutral environment.  New and lasting friendships have been made.
 
Aerobics
Aerobics was a fun way for women of all ages and backgrounds to come together to stimulate contact, communication and relationship building on a cross border, cross community basis.

Day Trips
Primarily aimed at our senior members of the community, two separate trips were arranged.  The first trip was to the Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen where the group thoroughly enjoyed a fun filled evening of comedy.  This enabled our most senior members of the community to come together and enjoy each others company regardless of preconceptions.  The second trip was to meet the senior citizens in Belleek.  The two groups came together to share life experiences and tales of bygone days.  

Social Events
The senior citizens arranged two social events focusing on curling!  Curling has become an important part of their activities and they enjoyed the competition immensely.

Other onsite Activities

 Personal Development Workshops
Three separate personal development workshops took place during July & August.  The workshops focused on effective communications and overcoming negative blocks to public speaking.  This was a great way for people to meet and interact with each other in a relaxed, informal setting.  The sessions focused on and encouraged positive thinking and breaking down barriers.
 
 “Women as Peace Builders” Workshops
The women shared memories and stories of youth and cross community interactions. All had a different perspective on their past memories of Conflict.   Some had been affected by Conflict others had positive memories.  There was a lot of discussion around School days and the cross community school that was in pettigo in the late 60s /70s and how this helped to break down barriers.

Halloween Peace Parade 
This event involved an action packed programme of entertainment with a spooky forest walk, story telling, face painting, and fireworks.  We worked in partnership with Little Smarties Playschool & Afterschool, Magic Art group and the local youth groups.  This was an all inclusive community project which brought both children and adults together from Pettigo, Tullyhommon, Kesh and hinterland.  This activity encouraged the establishment of relationships and understanding between children from all backgrounds at an early age.  It helped to stimulate and foster social integration across all divides religious, political and cultural.   





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