Prarthana 8.0 Phase One: Building Unity Through Culture and Language

 

Prarthana 8.0 Phase One: Building Unity Through Culture and Language

Leo Club of University of Colombo successfully carried out the first phase of Prarthana 8.0, a community initiative designed to promote peace, cultural harmony, and mutual understanding among school children. This phase was implemented through two meaningful initiatives: Culture Harmonies and Unity Words, each addressing key social challenges faced by young communities in Sri Lanka.

The first initiative, Culture Harmonies, was organized as a cultural program at a school that had not previously hosted such an event. The primary objective of this initiative was to create awareness among children about caste, religion and social differences, while encouraging acceptance and respect to reduce discrimination from a young age. This program was successfully held on January 23^rd  at Samudra Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Ambatale, in collaboration with Tikiri Kumara Vidyalaya, Ambatale. Students from different backgrounds came together to celebrate diversity through cultural expression. The event included dance and music performances representing different cultures, along with educational segments about various nations and religions. To further enhance understanding, cultural patterns and food tables related to different religions were displayed, allowing students to learn through visual and interactive experiences. These activities helped children appreciate diversity while recognizing shared values that promote harmony and coexistence. 

The second initiative, Unity Words, focused on overcoming language barriers that often limit communication and understanding between communities. This program was successfully conducted on February 6^th  at Sri Krishna Madhya Vidyalaya, Kahawatte. Through Unity Words, Tamil-speaking students were introduced to commonly used Sinhala words and sentences that are part of everyday communication. The program was designed to be interactive, using engaging activities to improve comprehension, confidence and participation. These activities encouraged students to communicate freely, helping them feel more connected and included.

In conclusion, the first phase of Prarthana 8.0 succes
sfully laid a meaningful foundation for peace, cultural harmony, and mutual understanding among students. Through Culture Harmonies and Unity Words, children were not only exposed to diversity but were encouraged to embrace it with respect and confidence. By addressing cultural awareness and language barriers at an early stage, this initiative has taken a strong step toward building a more inclusive and united future.