Sonia Cathy Lasrado, born to Clifford and Queeni Lasrado, residents of Holy Family Anegundi Ward, received a special invitation from Friends Forever International (FFI), a worldwide organization headquartered in Durham, NH, USA. FFI collaborates with diverse groups, including middle and high school students, senior citizens, professional leadership teams, and civic organizations, emphasizing both individual leadership growth and community-based action. Sonia was extended an invitation to partake in FFI’s Global Immersion Program, a significant honor.
FFI, a non-profit organization with campuses spanning two continents, organizes cross-cultural journeys open to individuals regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or socio-economic background. The program’s aim is to cultivate both international and domestic experiences that broaden perspectives. This year’s edition of the program unfolded in Belfast, Northern Ireland, spanning from August 9, 2023, to August 19, 2023. The roster featured representatives from diverse countries, including Austria, Brazil, Canada, India, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Turkey, with Sonia proudly representing India.
At its core, the program focuses on empowering participants to gain profound insights into their own selves, their community’s challenges, and the essential skills required to address these challenges effectively. The intensive phase of the program covers FFI’s foundational curriculum sessions, engaging service-learning activities, authentic community engagements, and tailored exercises designed to foster collaborative leadership.
Over the course of the ten-day program, the international representatives experienced communal living without reliance on technology, accompanied by a 100% plant-based diet. Their daily regimen encompassed a diverse range of activities, from introspective sessions centered around life mapping and identity exploration to enhancing communication prowess. Each representative was provided the platform to share their unique cultural perspectives, supported by evocative photographs capturing their homelands. In addition to classroom-based learning, the cohort embraced physical endeavors such as meditation, trekking, hiking, team games, visits to local beaches, and immersive farm tours.
To further integrate with the local community, the group engaged with local youth organizations, seeking to better understand their contributions to the community’s well-being. They held meaningful dialogues with entities delivering health and wellness services to rural areas, garnered insights into political dynamics through interactions with the Northern Ireland Assembly, and actively participated in an array of thought-provoking activities.
A key facet of the leadership program entailed equipping participants with the skills to craft innovative, sustainable, and impactful solutions to the challenges present within their own communities. This process involved honing their public speaking abilities, investing substantial time and effort into refining speeches, receiving constructive feedback, and fostering mutual support to enhance their delivery. Notably, FFI Global Alumni played a pivotal role as program counselors, offering guidance during sessions and serving as mentors throughout the program’s duration.
Sonia Lasrado, currently pursuing her studies in 1st PUC at St Aloysius PU College in Mangaluru, stands as a testament to the transformative influence of Friends Forever International. The organization’s ongoing guidance and support continue to empower her and fellow participants in their shared initiatives aimed at fostering positive change within their respective communities.
