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Bringing HOPE to older people
21.06.11
A pioneering project
aimed at helping older people has been launched in
Co Donegal. The Hearing Other People Experiences
(HOPE) Project, was officially launched yesterday by
Minister of State, Dinny McGinley.
The HOPE project was devised by the Voice of Older
People and aims to strengthen and consolidate the
"disparate and fragmented voices of older people"
from all traditions throughout Donegal. It also
challenges the "prevailing undercurrent of subtle
and silent sectarianism" and aims to empower older
people (60+) of Donegal to identify and articulate
the issues which have impacted upon and affected
their quality of life as a result of the legacy of
conflict. |
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Members of the audience at the launch
of the HOPE project in Stranorlar. |
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The International Fund
for Ireland is contributing €165,300 towards the two
year HOPE project as part of its Community Based
Economic and Social Regeneration Programme. Speaking
in Ballybofey, Minister McGinley said: "This
project, will bring together people from all parts
of the community providing an invaluable record of
the personal and very real experiences of older
people and how their lives unfolded while living in
this region. I’m confident that this project will
leave a worthy legacy for the future.” IFI senior
development officer, Paddy Harte added: “The IFI is
delighted to support this important cross-community
project. Over the next two years, many individuals
will engage with this project, and I am sure it will
have a huge impact in our communities. Those
participants will take what they have learned and
bring it back, to their families and to the wider
community. It will leave a lasting legacy for
reconciliation across County Donegal.” |
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