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-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.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Mongolia
Ulan Bator, Mongolia—In late August, thirty-five RYS participants trekked to the intriguingly beautiful nation of Mongolia. Participants worked in two teams in Ulan Bator with the first helping on the repairs of a monastery. A second work site was at a school where participants helped build a small playground, construct a toilet, painted and landscaped the school grounds.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Honduras
Tegucigalpa, Honduras— July began with Honduras hosting a major international RYS project as part of the Friendship America's Project. This program brought together youth from fourteen nations in North and South America as part of an effort to promote religious and cultural understanding.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Honduras
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.
- Religious Youth Service
- Written by: RYS-Philippines
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.