Reflection: A Dream Come True

Life is a journey full of unexpected turns, highs, and lows. But within these moments lie the experiences that define us, challenge us, and push us forward. My narrative is one of my dreams with self-belief, teamwork, and a dream that turned into reality.

In 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in the School of Peace (SoP), an experience that changed my perspective. During the program, I learned about ICF, YMCA, and their impactful work. However, when ICF presented the projects implemented by participants’ countries, Sri Lanka was barely mentioned. There were no projects, no actions, just a brief mention that Sri Lanka also has a YMCA. That moment hit me hard.

I remember sitting there, thinking, Why? Why is there no impact from Sri Lanka? Why are we not part of these global efforts? That day, I made a decision; I have to do something. I must change this narrative. If someone from Sri Lanka joins SoP in the future, they shouldn’t feel what I felt. They should be proud of our work, just like participants from other countries.  I started thinking about how I could contribute. I thought about submitting a small or grand project proposal, but honestly, I was lost. For the first time, I encountered concepts like the Theory of Change, SMART objectives, outcomes, and impact. I had the motivation, but I needed to develop my project proposal clearly and specifically.

A few months later, I met Malik Daniels, another ICF alumnus from Sri Lanka. We discussed the possibility of bringing all Sri Lankan ICF alumni together and initiating something impactful. However, personal commitments, studies, and time constraints held us back.  Then, another golden opportunity knocked on my door. Yes, ICF gave me another opportunity. I was selected to participate in the Training of Trainers (ToT) on the Conflict Sensitivity Approach in Development and Peacebuilding alongside Malik. They say that when you have good intentions, the universe aligns things for you. That’s exactly what happened.

During the ToT, ICF invited Malik and me to a special discussion about conducting thematic workshops in Sri Lanka. Without hesitation, we said YES! It was exactly what I had wished for during  SoP 2023.  Returning home, we faced a big challenge. November was approaching fast, and the ICF team asked for a project proposal. While we had discussed ideas, we hadn’t yet prepared a concept note. At one point, we even considered postponing.

But deep down, I wanted to make this happen. With ICF’s guidance and support, we pushed forward. We had only two weeks to arrange everything. Malik and I sent out invitations to all Sri Lankan ICF alumni, hoping to build a strong team.

As expected during preparation work, challenges came our way. Defining roles between ICF alumni and YMCA, selecting a venue, and even getting the YMCA logo for banners and certificates. These were all hurdles we had to overcome. At one point, while waiting for the YMCA logo, I asked myself, “Why don’t we create our logo?”

That’s how we decided to establish the Interfaith Cooperation Forum Sri Lanka (ICF-SL) and design a meaningful branding identity for it. This wasn’t just a logo. It was a symbol of our commitment to interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding.

Everything seemed ready until the morning of the event when we received calls from 5-6 participants saying they couldn’t make it. It was a nerve-wracking moment.

But we had a backup plan. Quickly, we reached out to other applicants, and within a few hours, we managed to fill the slots. By the evening, we successfully kicked off our first thematic workshop as  ICF’s first activity in Sri Lanka, with participants representing all four major religions in the country.

The success of this initiative wasn’t just ours alone. Many people supported us along the way. The YMCA team, well-wishers, and our incredible facilitators, Mr. Ruki Fernando and Mrs. Tharushi, not only led the sessions but also guided us through a community visit. Behind the scenes, the ICF team- Ma’am Muriel, Bai, and Annika, were the pillars of support, mentoring us from the beginning to the end.

Malik, Hansika, Jaffry, and I, four people from different religions, different districts, speaking different languages, following different career paths, but united for one purpose “peace.” We all  have met in person for the first time on the day of the thematic workshop, but we instantly clicked. Our strength wasn’t just in numbers. It was in our diversity.

Hansika, the only girl in our team, was our biggest strength. She managed participant backups, handled first aid, communicated with female participants to ensure they were comfortable, and kept the energy levels high. Jaffry, our video editor and happiness officer, was the one engaging the participants and keeping the atmosphere lively. Malik, the mastermind of the organization, handled event planning, designing, and documentation. And me? I coordinated the participants and others, did translations, finalized venue and managed the documentation with Malik.

More than individual skills, what made our team special was how we worked together. UNITY IN DIVERSITY, that’s who we are. That’s ICF Sri Lanka.

Looking back, this experience wasn’t just about organizing an event. It was about believing in ourselves, working as a team, and pushing through challenges.  And the best part? My initial wish came true.

During the Thematic workshop, ICF conducted a session on Doable Projects implementation in Our Communities, and I felt something shift. The very thing I dreamed of back in SoP was happening in real-time.  Today, under Interfaith Cooperation Forum Sri Lanka, we have successfully implemented four doable projects and we’re not stopping there. The ICF-SL team is already discussing more impactful initiatives for the future.

Sometimes, we think our dreams are too big or too difficult to achieve. But if we truly believe in ourselves and commit to our work, step by step, we can make it happen. 

My dream wasn’t just to attend an ICF event. It was to make sure that Sri Lanka has an active and impactful presence.

Today, if a Sri Lankan joins ICF, they won’t just hear, “Sri Lanka also has a YMCA.”

They will see our work, our impact, and our commitment to change. 

And this? This is just the beginning.