Mirror Magazine - Calling out for peace

There’s much talk of peace these days, but very few people are actually doing something about it. Everyone wants peace of course, but how many of us actually care enough to go even a bit out of our way to aid the process along? Whilst most of us are just sitting around belly aching, there are some of us out there who are actually trying to make a difference!

The Interactors of Interact District 3220 are some of those, people who are trying to encourage youth into wanting peace once more.

Their campaign ‘Peace,’ to sell white ribbons promoting peace will hit the streets of Colombo, Kandy and Galle from August 28 - September 9. Funds collected from this initiative will be used towards various timely community service projects, such as relief aid to those displaced by the war and providing much needed supplies to the hospital in Kebithigollawa, explained Project Chairperson Javin Thomas, enthusiastically.

“Especially at a time when most young people seem to have given up on the idea of peace and have very little hope left, we want to do something that’ll bring back the idea of peace to the youth. After all, we are the leaders of tomorrow,” added Javin.

They hope to go out on the streets (quite literally) during the first week and then move into schools, malls and even offices thereafter.

The ribbons will be sold via the numerous active Interact Clubs in Colombo, Kandy and Galle.

However, any volunteers (non-interactors) who would like to assist them in selling ribbons, are more than welcome, he says.

Although the ribbons are priced at 10 rupees each, any additional donations are also appreciated said Javin.

“Although the project’s core organising committee comprises just 15 of us from all over the island, we need the support and cooperation of all the Interact members if the campaign is to be a success; just the few of us cannot do it on our own,” said Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, the Project Secretary.

“Also as our projects generally concentrate on the various Interact Clubs, this time, we decided to take it one step further and reach out to the entire community,” she added.

“One of the main objectives of this campaign is to show that we, the youth of Sri Lanka, actually want peace and are willing to go the extra mile to get it.

Furthermore, all our committee members belong to different religious and racial backgrounds and if we can all unite to make this project happen, why not our leaders,” questioned the Project Chairperson passionately. “At the end of the day, all we want is to live in peace and harmony with one another,” he said.

The District Interact Representative, Thesula Rambadagalla is overseeing this project as well as the activities of the entire District, said Thyagi adding also that Interact District 3220 is backed by Rotary International.

“We don’t want people to give up on peace and so we’re trying to break through the dismal picture of bombs, checkpoints and schools being closed,” she said.

“We want to be a voice calling out for peace,” quipped Javin.