North, South youth recognized for assistance during floods

Over 90 youth, from Kilinochchi, Matara and Vavuniya received certificates from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Youth Service Council in recognition of the assistance given to flood affected communities.

The certificates were awarded at a ceremony in Kilinochchi.

Youth from the Northern and Southern regions worked together with assistance from USAID the development agency of the US Government – to help those affected by the floods.

The clean-up activities also provided an opportunity for these young people to build relationships and establish networks with each other and with people in the areas where they worked.

”We never had an opportunity to interact with people in the North because of the distance and also because we feared traveling to the area during the war. We were very happy to be a part of this USAID – supported project as it provided us with an opportunity to work together with ‘our new friends’ and also to assist flood victims.

As we have now been to the North, it would also make us very happy if a similar opportunity is made available for the Northern youth to travel to the South,” said V. Edirisinghe from Matara.

Another participant, M. Muhunthini from Kilinochchi said; “It was remarkable experience to interact and work with the young people from the south and also to help people who were severely affected by and displaced due to floods. The USAID intervention created an avenue for the youth to share experiences, communicate with each other and form new friendships. We have never had such an opportunity before,”.

Mine awareness straining was also organized for all participating youths. As a result, during the clean-up drive in Madhu, young people identified areas containing landmines.