When working through the Community Awareness project, we discovered that we knew very little about Protestants and their traditions and what way they feel. We decided that in order to find out more about them and to help us understand each other more, we would set them a list of questions that they would answer. The Protestant group from Tullycarnet did the same thing for us. Here are four of the questions that they asked us and some of our answers. We feel that this session helped us to gain a better understanding of each other and also helped us to work towards meeting each other.

Q: Why do you joyride in protestant areas?
 A: For the thrill, buzz/low self esteem, earn respect of your peers, easier to steal out of most protestant areas, more exciting to go into protestant area, bored, nothing better to do

Q: Would you like to see a United Ireland? If so why?
 A: Yes / No /  Not really / Don’t even care, there would be higher taxes, paying bills for bums to sit on the dole, would rather live in peace here now

Q: Would you go out with a Protestant?
A: No problem, would have to trust them before going out with him/her first

Q: Would you ever support the UDA / UVF? If so why?
A: No, scumbags, drug dealers, don’t even support the IRA so why support any body else

The Short Strand is in the east of the city, a small Catholic enclave in the predominantly Protestant East Belfast across the Albert Bridge or Queens Bridge. The Short Strand is surrounded by walls and metal gates separating
 the Catholics from the Protestants.
 There is not much in the Short Strand a few local grocery shop, a Chinese, a newsagents, a few bars and a bookies.  We don't even have a chemist or post box.  People now have to travel over to the Markets which is the nearest
 Post Office for us.
Here is a few photographs of the Short Strand.

 SHEP (Sexual Health Education by Peers) is part of The HIV Support Centre in Belfast. 
SHEP came and ran two sessions with us looking at STI’s (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and Sexuality.
 In the first session we looked at the different STI’s that are out there and the best way to protect you against them. 
We learnt that young people are particularly at risk as many of them do not practice safer sex.
 In the sexuality session we looked at the different types of sexuality in today’s society and also how to be healthy, positive and confident in you own sexuality.

We also learnt about the G.U.M ( Genitro Urinary Medicine) Clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Here they can test you and treat you for all STI’s confidentially. They also provide free confidential advice

The HIV Support Centre offers confidential support and advice to those who are affected by HIV. They also offer training and support to others through the SHEP project. If you need information or support you can contact them on 02890 249268.
They also have a Freephone AIDS Helpline: 0800 137437

Bellow are some of the STI’s and facts that we learned in the sessions:
 Chlamydia
NSU
Herpes
Gonorrhea
Scabies
Syphilis
HIV
Pubic Lice

• There are currently over 330 people in Northern Ireland who are HIV Positive.

• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are the two most common STI’s in Northern Ireland.

• Many STI’s can go unnoticed for months on end before they are detected. 

• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can prevent both men and women from having children if they are not treated.

• If untreated, Syphilis can cause permanent brain damage and extreme cases death.

• Condoms provide the safest protection against STI’s if used properly.

• Condoms do not give you 100% protection.
  

8 YOUNG PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THIS PROJECT THEY ARE...

Male Bytes User (18)
Female Bytes User (16)
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Female Bytes User (17)
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