Once A PeacePlayer, Always A PeacePlayer

Mary (pictured at the back, second from the right) at the launch of the PPI-NI basketball hoops at Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School in 2008

This week, PeacePlayers International-Northern Ireland (PPI-NI) is joined by Mary Braniff, a work placement student from North Belfast. In this week’s blog we find out why Mary selected PPI-NI as her work placement site.

Hi Mary, welcome to the PeacePlayers International blog ‘From the Field.’ First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Mary Braniff, and I’m 15 years old. I come from Ardoyne, North Belfast. I am here for a week on work experience from my school, Our Lady of Mercy Girl’s School. PeacePlayers allowed me to join them this week to see what it’s like ‘behind the scenes.’

How did you first get involved in PeacePlayers?

I first got involved in PPI-NI when I was 8 years old in Holy Cross Girls’ Primary School. There was never a dull day. Through sport, PeacePlayers helped us realise the differences between the two religions.

What brought you back to PeacePlayers?

Last year, I attended Young Enterprise Northern Ireland’s (YENI) KEY camp in Corrymeela. Coach Joanne was at our first residential and delivered an Understanding Diversity through Sport course. I wanted to help out in anyway I could because it brought me so much joy when I was a child. I thought I could pay them back by helping out at some of their events.

What has been your favourite moment so far with PeacePlayers?

My favourite moment with peaceplayers has been helping out at the Belfast Interface Games. I got to dress up as a mascot and dance about. It was great to meet all the kids, and I would love to do it again.

Mary, pictured second from the left with some of our other PPI-NI volunteers, acting as a Mascot for Ulster GAA at the Belfast Interface Games flagship event in August 2012 with an Olympic Torch from the London 2012 Olympics.

What would you like to do in the future with PeacePlayers?

In the future I would love a full-time job with PeacePlayers, but even if that doesn’t happen, I’ll find other ways to help out.

Thanks Mary, and finally, what is PeacePlayers?

PeacePlayers is ‘sweet to the beat!’ It is an organisation, that helps young people create a better future between different cultures and religions. I know it has helped me see a better future for Northern Ireland.