The Puttulam, Sri Lanka, congregation received a Tangible Love grant to start a new outreach program for children. In 2006 they began a tutoring program, which quickly grew to serve about 60 children each Saturday. More children kept coming, and the congregation decided to answer the need to grow by offering further social and compassionate ministry two evenings a week through a Young Peacemakers Club. Providing education and ministry to these children was a great factor in establishing the club.

At a time when peace was a dream of all Sri Lankans, a Tangible Love grant to the Relief to Release Foundation helped the people living in Puttulam to experience peace directly through the conceptual techniques of the Peacemakers Club. Therefore peace is not rhetoric anymore. Peacemakers Club has evolved and helps children understand and experience the true meaning of the word “peace.” Children have started to change their attitudes toward other races, religions, and beliefs. Now they have a broader understanding of what it means to be part of “a community.” This new way of thinking about community is helping children and youth survive and coexist with people who do not belong to their own faith, religion, caste, or race.

In a country where there is such cultural diversity, there is a great need to provide activities that bring a sense of belonging and self-esteem to each of the youth. Now, children of the “bourgeoisie” dance and sing with the children of “proletarians.” The children continue to be amazed at what happens, because the program is conducted in such a way that they do not feel they are living in a country where there has been war for more than 20 years.

The children participate in two age groups: ages 6–12 and 13–18. Each group has an assistant, with volunteers helping to set up, serve snacks, and coordinate games. Some of the activities include musical groups, club game nights, crafts and skills development, counseling, snacks, special-topic programs and discussions, and group and individual activities that focus on peacemaking principles.
This is the congregation’s community outreach program. The pastoral committee helps coordinate and approve activities. Curriculum materials for the Peacemakers Club are obtained from the Children’s Peace Pavilion (www.kidpeace.org); the Walnut Park, Independence, Missouri, congregation’s Jesus and Me program; and other Community of Christ Young Peacemakers Clubs (www.celebratingpeace.com/peacemakers.htm).

This is the peace that has been developing, the peace that we expected. In the future we might be able expand this program to other areas in Puttulam.

Tangible Love grants are funded through the Community of Christ Oblation Fund. Thanks to generous contributors, we are making a difference in the lives of people in Puttulam, Sri Lanka. You can contribute online at www.CofChrist.org/worldministries/, through offertory envelopes, or by sending a check to Community of Christ International Headquarters. Your contributions are helping share the peace of Jesus Christ all over the world.

—Henry De Silva reporting