Unity Mission Trust : Building bridges of friendship for 8 years
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UMT’s Board of Trustees (left to right) - Kushan D’ Alwis, PC, Anushya Coomaraswamy, N. Vasantha Kumar, Nirmali Wickremesinghe, Rukshan Perera; Maj. Gen. Lohan Goonewardena, Bertal Pinto Jayawardena, Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena, Reyaz Mihular and Ramola Sivasunderam.
Unity Mission Trust which began a unique journey of love and care and fostering of unity and integration, commencing from Menik Farm in May 2009, has now completed eight years of formal existence.
The 8th anniversary celebrations on October 29 were led by the Galle Regional Council. A large segment of Unity Mission Trust youth from Galle as well as representatives from Ambalangoda, Mirissa, Jaffna, Mannar, Kandy, Anuradhapura and Colombo joined them to participate in a cricket tournament and the anniversary celebrations thereafter.
The Principals of Mahinda College, Galle and St Aloysius College, Galle Gamini Jayawardena and Ranjith Thilakaratne respectively were Guests of Honour at the celebrations.
The UMT’s initial work of conducting social care projects for IDP returnees and medical camps, converted to working specifically with youth from across Sri Lanka. What began from 2010 has now extended to sharing very special mind-developing messages of self-belief, self-esteem and unity and integration with nearly 9000 youth.
The Trust began work with 16 to 17-year-old youth leaders who were nominated by their respective schools from across Sri Lanka to attend these 4-day residential Unity Camps. Nine Unity Camps have been conducted across Sri Lanka and over 60 major unity and integration projects.
Speaking of the 8th anniversary of Unity Mission Trust, Chairman Major General ( Retd) Lohan Goonewardena said, “ Our main platform is the development of leadership skills, personal capacity enhancement and self confidence empowerment. This mind and skills development training is then used as the platform to foster unity, integration, reconciliation and building of bridges of friendship and understanding amongst the youth who attend our Unity Camps and then continue to be a part of Unity Mission Trust’s extended family.”
“Unity Mission Trust that worked only with youth has now reached out to the communities to which our main youth leaders belong. We are doing all of our work with a long term vision of 15-20 years from today, when these youth will be holding positions of influence and authority across the nation,” Founder Trustee, Bertal Pinto- Jayawardena said.
Youth leaders bonding together
“We are putting in place a platform that will build understanding and foster as well as strengthen their friendships into the future. This will result in a network of friendships and understanding across Sri Lanka, that can only contribute to building peace and making Sri Lanka more successful,” he added.
Co- Founder Trustee Shyamala Pinto-Jayawardena expressing her thoughts said, “It is so emotional to see these youth who came on camp many years ago, growing up today and transforming into confident young ladies and gentlemen. It is an extended family, where strong friendships are being built, which we pray will grow stronger in the future, irrespective of their locations.”
The next event is a Sing-Along celebration on November 25 led by Trustee, Rukshan Perera and supported by Sohan and the X-Periments. This is an invitation based event, which is open to those who wish to support the work of Unity Mission Trust. Those interested can obtain further information by calling 0766043913.
The Trustees of Unity Mission Trust include Major General Lohan Goonewardena, Chandra Schaffter,Rukshan Perera, N. Vasantha Kumar, Reyaz Mihular, Anushya Coomaraswamy, Ramola Sivasunderam, Nirmali Wickremasinghe, Kushan D’ Alwis, Jeyakumar Thangavelu, Dr. Wimal Karandagoda, Dushyanthi Thuseetharan, Sanath Weeratunge and Prof. Rohan Guneratne in addition to Founder Trustees Bertal and Shyamala Pinto-Jayawardena.
The Trust continually needs volunteers and donors in different ways to support their English education, educational scholarships programme and unity related regional work.
More information on the Trust can be obtained @unitymissiontrust on FB or on the website www.unitymission.lk or on the telephone by contacting the Founder Trustee on 0766043913 or 0768360103.