A two-day interfaith program for teenagers dubbed “Seeds of Sadbhav” was held last week in the village of Pilar in the Indian state of Goa.
The activity, which was made possible by the Society of Pilar, was attended by about 60 students of the Guardian Angel Higher Secondary School.
“Seeds of Sadbhav” is a basic interfaith program for teenagers that focuses on building their strength and preparing them for adult life.
Based on the handbook of “Character Strengths and Virtues” by Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson, the sessions were designed to enable the young people to foster their strengths.
“Strengthening interfaith harmony,” “appreciating diversity,” “building interfaith relationships” were the underlying themes of the sessions.
Father Elvis Fernandes led the participants in identifying their strengths through an activity called “You at your best.”
The participants had to write a story about an experience when they functioned at their best. They then had to share these stories with members of the group. The group members in turn had to spot the strengths of one another.
One of the participants, Shiyana, said, the “most helpful” part of this program was when they figure out their top strengths.
Award-winning architect Tallulah D’Silva, an environmentalist and a writer, spoke on women’s rights and women’s empowerment, stressing on bravery, teamwork, and creativity.
Father George Nandiyala, infused a lot of energy with his “ice-breaking” activities that helped participants work as a team.
A few basic methods of meditation was introduced by Father Peter D’souza.
