Category: Yathra

We are excited to share with you the inspiring work of JCJ and ECO-V in our ongoing efforts to empower young green leaders through this year’s Colombo Yathra.

The Colombo Yathra, hosted by ECO-V and led by Kanchana Weerakoon, represents a significant milestone as it marks the eighth Yathra and the first since the COVID-19 pandemic. This journey brings together 15 youths from diverse backgrounds in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to equip them with the necessary tools and knowledge to become effective climate leaders in their own communities and beyond.

At the heart of the Yathra is the mission to train and empower young leaders in the Asia-Pacific region to fight for climate justice. This year’s project focuses on three key subjects: regenerative agriculture, sustainable living, and climate change. Through a 5-day residential training program, selected youths are trained using a variety of methods including audiovisuals, interactive games, practical sessions, and field visits centered on climate science, sustainability, biodiversity protection, conscious consumerism, and regenerative agriculture.

Following the training, the participants return to their communities and pledge to complete a climate-related project within the next year, aiming to bring substantial benefits to their local areas.

The Colombo Yathra project has already made a significant impact, having trained over 700 youth leaders across the Asia-Pacific region. This year, we are excited to continue our mission and empower the next generation of green leaders.

We invite you to support this meaningful cause by making a donation of either $110, $220, or $330. Your generosity will enable us to continue our mission of empowering young green leaders to fight for climate justice in their local communities and beyond.

Join us in empowering the next generation of green leaders in the Asia-Pacific region. Your contribution can make a meaningful difference in the fight for climate justice.

JCJ partnered again with our Sri Lankan partner organisation ECO-V to support their seventh yathra (journey). Like the previous yathras, the projects focus on creating young green leaders to combat the effects of climate change and to promote environmental awareness. The Vanni yathra was the first journey under the leadership of a yathra alumnus, Newton.

JCJ managed to fundraise the costs for all 30 bicycles required for the 30 diverse youth to take the 10-day training journey. The key issues addressed during this yathra were food safety, clean water, climate change, healthy living and reducing our carbon footprints. Northern communities, still recovering from the effects of thirty years of war, had little background knowledge of these subjects. JCJ also supported the creation of a short documentary about the 2018 yathra, which you can watch here.

The final report has lots of great photos.

JCJ continued supporting our partner organisation ECO-V by funding a new vital position in the organisation. This position, International Coordinator, was responsible for organising the successful 2015 Kolamba Yathra, and coordinating the JCJ-funded 2015 Sri Lanka 100% renewables trip with Stephen Bygrave.

Kolamba Yathra 2015 was the 3^rd Yathra (journey) conducted by Eco-Friendly Volunteers (ECO-V). Its theme was interfaith journey for sustainability. Kolamba Yathra 2015 took place on 19 September 2015 with the participation of more than 200 youth from different youth groups, societies, communities’ universities and schools representing Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islam religions. The purpose of the event was to create awareness among general public on climate change and how each individual can contribute towards the impact of climate change. Also this journey was held to raise Sri Lankan voices to support all those working very hard towards COP 21.

You can read more about the trip with Stephen Bygrave here.

The second ECO-V run yathra, Papeedi Bike Journey, aimed to empower 25 young Sri Lankans as social and environmental actors. JCJ funded the 25 bicycles required for the yathrees to  travel together for 12 days in an eco-friendly manner. They were taught to engage with the public, how to educate people based on both science and ethics, and how to lead by example. They learnt how to use interactive street theatre, formal presentations, conversation and storytelling. ECO-V taught them how to do water quality testing, air quality testing, and the importance of organic, wholesome and sustainable living. At the end of the yathra the youth pledged to protect and care for Mother Nature using their new-found skills and knowledge.

This was a small follow up project from the 2011 Kelani Nadee Yathra in Sri Lanka. Pat Kirkby, a volunteer during the yathra earlier in the year, visited many of the yathrees in their hometowns to help implement their community projects. He helped continue the connections from the yathra and empower the yathrees on their journeys as environmental leaders. Pat also spent some time working with ECO-V, who runs the yathra program. JCJ contributed to his trip expenses. 

JCJ’s first project was ECO-V’s Kelani River Journey. ECO-V, our Sri-Lankan partner organisation, began the journey program with the aim of inspiring young people to become the future eco-Leaders of Sri Lanka.

At the time, climate issues, climate mitigation and adaptation measures were not discussed on a grassroots level, and there was little awareness or sensitivity in the younger generations. The journey took twelve days, and involved 20 young Sri Lankas who were trained in sustainability, climate change, leadership and green living.

The Kelani Journey overall was very successful due to the high media attention it received, which in turn created a national momentum towards eco-friendly mentality, sustainable development, and climate action. The attendees returned to their local communities to initiate their own projects with ECO-V’s support (18/20 implemented at least one awareness program in their local community), and many have stayed in touch with ECO-V, some even instigating their own journeys.