A Historic Beginning: The First AFS School Club in Sri Lanka Launched at Ferguson High School, Ratnapura
Empowering the next generation of globally minded young leaders.
AFS Global Affiliate Sri Lanka proudly marks a historic milestone with the successful inauguration of the first-ever AFS School Club in Sri Lanka at Ferguson High School, Ratnapura. This remarkable achievement opens a new chapter in empowering young Sri Lankans to become active global citizens who embrace cultural diversity, leadership, and international friendship.
The inauguration ceremony was held with the participation of representatives of AFS Global Affiliate Sri Lanka, the school administration, teachers, and enthusiastic student members of the newly established club. The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, symbolizing a new beginning and the start of a meaningful journey towards intercultural learning.
The audience was introduced to the history, mission, and global impact of AFS through an engaging presentation by AFS Global Affiliate Sri Lanka, showcasing how AFS has connected people and cultures across the world through exchange programs and intercultural experiences.
A special highlight of the event was a beautiful cultural performance by the students of Ferguson High School, where students studying Japanese, French, and German presented a harmonious combination of songs representing these three countries. This performance reflected the values of cultural appreciation and global connection that lie at the heart of AFS.
A significant moment of the ceremony was the official badge pinning of the AFS School Club board members. This symbolic gesture marked the beginning of their journey as student leaders who will carry forward the values and mission of AFS within Ferguson High School. The newly appointed board members accepted their roles with pride, commitment, and enthusiasm to promote intercultural understanding and global citizenship among their fellow students.
The ceremony was enriched with inspiring speeches by Dr. Eshantha Ariyadasa, National Director of AFS Global Affiliate Sri Lanka, Mr. Darryll Chappell, Intercultural Exchange Coordinator of AFS Global Affiliate Sri Lanka, and Ms. Amali Wickramasinghe, Deputy Principal of Ferguson High School, Ratnapura. Their messages emphasized the importance of intercultural understanding, international friendships, and the role of young people in creating a more peaceful and connected world.
The newly appointed president and secretary of the AFS School Club also addressed the audience, sharing their vision and enthusiasm for the future activities of the club.
Adding a personal touch to the event, two AFS alumni of Ferguson High School shared their life-changing experiences as recipients of the Asia Kakehashi Scholarship, inspiring the students to explore international opportunities and broaden their horizons.
The establishment of the AFS School Club at Ferguson High School is more than the creation of a student organization. It is the beginning of a movement that encourages curiosity, open-mindedness, leadership, and intercultural dialogue among Sri Lankan youth.
AFS Global Affiliate Sri Lanka extends its sincere gratitude to the Principal, Deputy Principal, teachers, students, and everyone who contributed to making this historic event a success. As the very first AFS School Club in the country, Ferguson High School has become a pioneer in carrying forward the AFS mission within Sri Lankan schools.
This is only the first step of a much bigger journey. Through AFS School Clubs, we hope to see more young leaders across Sri Lanka connect with the world, celebrate diversity, and become changemakers for a better future.
