Originally Dishani was planning to train 25 Young Visionaries (YV), but the course has been so in demand that 40 enrolled. They have finished their training and set up peer groups back in their own communities.
Here is an example of how these peer groups work:
“Batticaloa district is prone to intense violent conflict, and many communities live in fear. Two YV core groups have set up peer groups here.
1) Hindu/Christian Group from Batti town
2) Muslim Group in Kattankudy
The first regional meeting for the two peer groups was organised at a small hall in the middle of Kattankudy, a Muslim dominated town. The Hindu and Christian group came with their peers and contributed to the success of the meeting. At the end of the meeting, when people had a chance to share their feelings, one core member from the Hindu/Christian group said that when they knew that the meeting was to be held in Kattankudy, they were afraid. But now that fear had been reduced and by coming here and meeting the Muslim group they have had a chance to identify and change the prejudice they had for Kattankudy and its people.
Dishani,
Sri Lanka”
