Dutch Visitors

We welcomed Dutch visitors to Shimna today. They have connexions with the Kinderhaus in Killough, which has long been involved with reconciliation work. They had a very interesting tale to tell. The business of the Kinderhaus used to be reconciliation of our two main traditions in Northern Ireland. NI groups still use the Kinderhaus, but since our peace process has been underway, the work has become more international. First came groups from other conflict areas such as Bethlehem and Bosnia. In Autumn this year, a group will be coming from Holland itself, from Utrecht. The group will include Dutch young people whose family roots are in Holland and Dutch young people whose roots are in Somalia, Turkey and North Africa. Our visitors have proposed that a Shimna group meets up with the group during their stay. Activities will include a soccer match and a session of Teach my Friend a Language. It turns out that one of our visitors is a Catholic priest, and is very willing to visit assembly and RE classes when he comes over several times a year to the Kinderhaus. It will be great for integration to have this input. Our local Protestant clergy come in often, and we have always known that balance is essential.