International Young Catholic Students

Movement Response on the Call to Action for the World Environment Day 2008

YCS Sri Lanka: Part of the celebration of World Environment Day, the Social Unit of the Y.C.S. Diocesan Committee of Colombo, Sri Lanka organized a day of cleaning Negombo Beach. Student leaders have done their preparation by visiting the places and asking permission from relevant authorities. It was their own experience that how difficult it is to do a social work as such. They worked hard to do this day’s program. I certainly appreciate their commitment with the limited time they had and given the situation of the country right now.

The activity has great impact on the students and to the community in general. Other significant factor is that most of the students who participated in it were from the rural areas, not of the costal belt. They forwarded themselves to do this task.

Nine students came to Colombo early in the morning and reached at Negombo Beach at 8,00am.The leader of the Unit briefed what they were going to do and divided the students into three groups and given the area to be cleaned. It was ended with an evaluation and students went home at 3.00pm with satisfaction in life saying that we did something for our nature.

What students say…

“I am thankful to you all for inviting me to join with this activity that made me concern more on our environment. This kind of social work that affects the environment and us gave rise to think differently and act effectively. With some challenges, we were able to show an example to those who were enjoying at the beach. Some people appreciated our work too.” - Emantha Perera, YCS Cell,Aldeniya, Kadawata.

“First time I took part in cleaning the beach in my life. I visited and enjoyed my life at beaches but never thought of keeping the place clean. I too have thrown wasted things to the sea. I love to see sunset since I am far from the sea. This solidarity work (Shamadana) made me to be aware of the environment more and challenged me to keep the place wherever I am clean.” -Jacintha from YCS Cell, Hanwella