An experience sharing session was held in Minuwangoda under NPC’s Action for Religious Coexistence (ARC) project for 23 youth participants from 14 locations who had taken part in the youth placement programme conducted in August.

The youth placement programme involved 28 youth participants and Local Inter Religious Committee (LIRC) members from 14 locations. With the support of coordinators, two youths from each location were paired with one or two LIRC member households for a 14 day immersive cultural and religious exchange. This initiative aimed to foster mutual understanding, respect and coexistence by providing youths with firsthand experiences of diverse cultures and faiths.

The experience sharing session served as a platform for participants to reflect on their journeys and share the transformative impact of the programme.

S.L.M. Rihnas, a youth from Kuliyapitiya, was placed in Weligama where he met a Christian priest introduced by the Weligama coordinator. The priest, impressed by Rihnas’ qualifications and interests, facilitated a job opportunity for him at a restaurant.

This achievement underscores the broader impact of the programme, not just in fostering cultural understanding but also in creating practical opportunities for personal growth and development. Each participant returned with stories reflecting the profound connections gained through the programme.