The most awaited student leader’s conference of the year has finally commenced in Galle, Sangamittha Balika Vidyalaya!
On the 26th of June 2013 the SLU team working hard to bring the event to life started their duties early in the morning with the registration of the students. Students from all over the Island, all 25 districts of the country were flowing in to Sangamittha Galle for a life changing experience they were yet to experience.
The students arrived throughout the day and they were divided into their groups, this was a new experience to them as they found out that they were being separated from their team mates and grouped with other students who they have never met before most of them do not even speak a common language.
The next part was meeting their volunteers, these three people are going to be mentoring and leading the students for the next 5 days. These are students who are doing their higher studies or pursuing a career who have given up their time and energy for these students and because of a passion they share for the cause of reconciliation.
As evening drew they students dressed up in their school uniforms, and gathered at the main hall, which the team from the southern coalition had decorated in classical southern style.
The Future Leaders Conference season 5, Galle 2013 kicked off in style by the girls from Sangamittha welcoming the esteemed guests with a cultural southern dance leading them to the main hall. The south was excited to welcome the Island’s students leader to their midst and they were not hesitant to show it. With lighting of the oil lamp by the guest’s and representatives the event processed to the main event, the opening ceremony. Students and reps from the south welcomed their brothers and sisters from all over the country to their home with open hearts and open minds, they affirmed their desire to bond and reconcile with their Tamil brothers and sisters by welcoming them in their own language, Tamil.
The students are not only taught about their national duties but they are challenged to do their part in practice, through the Champions of Change (CoC) challenge, where two schools who participate in the conference are assigned together to work on a social welfare project, to help a community of their choice. The students of methodic College Colombo and Hindu Ladies College Wellawattha were awarded first place for their project “Stand again harassment of woman” for their outstanding efforts and passion towards the cause.
Next the event proceeded to introducing the 20 teams on stage and you could hear the students already cheering their teams as their names were called up, they were ready and committed to their team’s victory.
The day ended with the teams chatting over dinner with their new found friends and getting to know each other. The excitement mixed with curiosity will lead these 20 teams into the second day of the Future Leaders Conference season 5!
