Youth and Service
Honduras— In early June, the RYS was took part in the inaugural of the Honduras National Youth week and helped support the opening day's festivities. RYS International Director, Rev. John Gehring spoke in front of the National Congress concerning the role of youth in pioneering a path of religious and cultural cooperation in the America's.
Batangas, Philippines— Through the sharing of time, labor, conversation and culture with the predominantly Muslim community the RYS participants gained some deep insights into aspects of life and human nature.
Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala— The year began with the RYS active in the America's as Guatemala hosted its second project in Santiago Atitlan on beautiful Lake Atitlan. The project had thirty participants and staff build an additional wing on a school whose student body is composed largely from children who were victims of the recent civil war.
Birmingham, Great Britain— Work occurred in Saltley and Nechells (a part of Birmingham's inner city) a nature trail and picnic area was built and an old bus garage was made into a recycling centre and a tree nursery formed was formed.
Taipei, Taiwan— This was a major project which drew participants and staff came from nine nations. Senior education leaders worked to develop the international educational background and communication skills of the participants. Numerous cultural programs were part of the program and the RYS built on the national foundations in Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Taiwan RYS alumni.
Kasoa, Ghana— At the IRFF Agriculture Institute six rooms were constructed by the RYS participants.
Transylvania, Romania— RYS participants repair a school in rural Transylvania
Tegucigalpa, Honduras— RYS participants helped roof and build walls for eight classrooms with local workers joining in.
Bangladesh— Students from the RYS Club at Dhaka University practice interfaith cooperation through a road construction project.
Drnis, Croatia— Participants worked on four rooms of an out patient clinic, laid the roof, grounds restoration.
Koskandawala, Sri Lanka— At a temple premises in Gampaha district restoration work on a playground and grounds of the local pre-school.
Karukutty, Kerala, South India— RYS worked on widening rural village roads along with local villages based on the foundation of Gramswaraj, a Gandhian rural development outreach based at the Mohatma Gandhi University.