Youth and Service
Bata Atha, Sri Lanka— An RYS project was held in “Bata Atha,” a remote village in the southern part of Sri Lanka. This area was the worst hit area by the tsunami in December 2004. RYS committee decided to build a community center for the people affected by the tsunami.
Georgetown, Guyana - After the January 2005 flooding in which many people lost their homes, and in some cases, their lives, Religious Youth Service participants worked with Habitat for Humanity Aug. 11-23, 2005, on a housing project on the outskirts of Georgetown.
Ndola, Zambia— The main focus of this RYS project was to have the participants from the different nations and religions cooperate to further build the school, providing a reasonable learning environment for the orphans. Participants built strong relationships with the community by visiting the residents’ homes and organizing various games for and with the children.
Ndola, Zambia - The Mackenzie community in Ndola, northern Zambia, welcomed 40 young people from nine nations who came on Aug. 10, 2005 to help at a school for orphans as part of an International Relief Friendship Foundation project.
Mongolia— The participants and leaders of this project came from the diverse religious backgrounds of Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. The work consisted of constructing a wall at the local Buddhist temple, and remaking the interior of the local Islamic mosque. Both were completed with satisfactory success.
Seoul, South Korea – World Culture and Sports Festival (WCSF)
Indonesia— The project involved leveling a local schoolyard, laying a bed of sand and cement, and positioning new paving bricks. Also six “restoration teams” (of eight people each) gave the classrooms a much-needed face-lift.
Bristol, England— RYS held an art service project from July 1st to the 9th. Initially many had been skeptical about the project. When they saw the finished work they were surprised at the way the project had inspired many diverse people to unite.
Honduras— Working with the children to give them hope for a brighter future fits with the theme of the project “World Peace and the Role of Youth.” By working together with the children, the young people set an example of love and service.
Palau— The Palau service project consisted of painting a local high school, the toilet block, sun roof, the girls’ sewing classroom and storeroom block.
Tenaru, Solomon Islands— The RYS Solomon Islands project was held at St. Joseph’s Secondary College in Tenaru, which is a prominent Catholic school in the area.
Thailand— The Thailand RYS education program was designed to train participants to become future leaders. Based on the theme “Modeling the Ideals of a World Peace,” the activities focused on team building, conflict resolution, increased awareness and appreciation of interaction styles.