Religious Youth Service
UPF chapters organize Religious Youth Service projects that offer service-learning opportunities with a special focus on developing personal leadership and peacemaking skills. Through living together and providing altruistic service in a community, participants demonstrate that it is possible for our global human family to come together in peace for our mutual well being.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand—Members of various NGOs and from the Ratana Morehu Youth movement joined together in a leadership program that visioned out an action plan for interfaith service projects in New Zealand.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: Religious Youth Service - Sri Lanka
Manresa, Sri Lanka - Thanks to a cease-fire between the government and the Tamil insurgents in December 2000, roads were opened to the public and people could begin to move somewhat freely around the country. However, even though there was a political will to settle deep-rooted problems, no effective mechanism had been created to bring people together to meet in heart and reconciliation. A Religious Youth Service project August 23-26, 2001 opened doors for that to happen.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Mongolia
Ulan Bator, Mongolia—RYS helped on the construction of a 2-story kindergarten (for about 40 children) in a poor and remote area of Ulan Bator. Participants also did light construction work (with wood, cement and paint) inside and around the building, creating an outdoor toilet, making various toys for the children.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Guatemala
Chinautla, Guatemala—In Chinaulta, the RYS worked with mayor Paramo and city council to target an area where a new school is most urgently needed. They selected a newly settled community on top of a very hilly area. There the RYS began construction on a school while it also worked to widen the road to allow access by school bus.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Uganda
Lira, Uganda—The series of projects launched this year by IRFF and RYS have helped attract the attention of the highest levels of Uganda government. The projects show that we are serious and capable of delivering a fine program that fits the needs of the country.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria—Over sixty five religious leaders, social activities and concerned youth leaders from six nations helped inaugurate the first RYS Africa Rising Program in Lagos, Nigeria on April 1-2.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Sri Lanka
Bagahawatte, Sri Lanka—Participants helped construct a nursery school, create a playground, and landscape two school play areas.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Sri Lanka
Koggala Beach, Sri Lanka—As Friends Alumni Leadership Training immediately followed the RYS project and its purpose was to train a group of leaders that could return home an organize or support local RYS activities.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Ireland
Belfast, Northern Ireland—Thirty-five RYS participants from twelve nations joined together to model and build a Peace Garden at the Columbanus Center for Reconciliation.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa—RYS had its final project of the year which was timed to coincide with the World Parliament of Religion's and to demonstrate the spirit of religious and racial cooperation that can lead us into a new millennium of peace.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa—RYS participants joined the World Parliament of Religion's and shared the intercultural and interfaith experience with some of the 7000 participants.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Philippines
Batangas, Philippines—In late October, the RYS held its second project of the year in the state of Batangas in the Philippines. Based on the success of the first project, the RYS returned to tackle additional environmental work.