UMT Ray ofHope award ceremony
It was a landmark moment for the Unity Mission Trust (UMT) last month when the Ray of Hope award ceremony was held in Jaffna. Their efforts to foster understanding among young people started "to show the children of the North that they are cared for and are a part of Sri Lanka" according to Founding Trustee Bertal Pinto-Jayawardene. Unity Mission camps that started in 2010 have been spreading the message of peace and acceptance annually among student leaders who gather from all parts of the country. Reaping the fruits of their labour by recognising youth who devote time and energy for reconciliation, the event in Jaffna was almost symbolic of their efforts coming full circle.
Student leaders who have been through the camps over the years have resulted in a strong co-group of young school leavers for UMT. It soon became possible to continue the tradition of unity among the older youth and encourage their efforts at building bridges. Even today Bertal says while Colombo remains the Centre of Operations, their strongest bases are in Jaffna and Matara. Before structured Regional Councils of UMT youth were set-up, it was brought to the team's notice that school leavers who previously were on UMT camps had embarked on community service projects on their own accord in the Kilinochchi and Mannar chapters.
A hundred school leavers who are empowered by UMT's 'Power 100' initiative which essentially provides them with skills to carry out their reconciliation work were also present at the Ray of Hope event where 11 youth were awarded for their tireless reconciliation efforts. It was also when representatives from the Regional Councils voted for National Youth Leaders.
"I was invited in November to grace the event," Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University Prof. Vasanthy Arasaratnam said. After presenting the National Awards for Unity and Integration she said the speech she had prepared to deliver was left behind at her seat, but she didn't need one. "I wanted to give a free address," she said inspired to speak from the heart.
Prior to the event the Professor's knowledge of UMT was limited to what she heard of them and a few leaflets. Now she is inspired to get involved. The event which was at the Chundukuli Girls School left the Vice Chancellor feeling that the UMT "are providing good opportunities for the youth of this region to better themselves." Which is, according to her what they need at this point in time.