The exchange could not be complete without the youths sharing their experience and take homes of the exchange.
Omar (Kenya): “Siku ya kwanza ya ratiba Ilianza na kachula cha usiku eneo la forodhani chakula kilikua sawa na utambulisho pia ulikua mzuri; wageni tuli wakaribisha vizuri na kujuana pia. Ratiba kamili ilianza siku ya pili na kwa mtanzo wangu nliweza kusoma vitu vingi na kujua baadhi ya tamaduni na vitu wanavyo penda wenzetu kutoka inchi za nje. Baada ya hapo tulikua na kikao na county commission na kujua ni jinsi gani serekali hutenda kazi na huwajibika kupitia mbinu gani ila kikao cha kipeke kwa kilikua na natija na msingi wa vitu vya kijamii.
Ila kua moja wapo ya siku ndefu katika shuhlu zilizo pangiwa exchange visit yetu tulienda Diani police station nakusoma baadhi ya mambo yanao fanyika na mbinu wanazo. Nlijifunza mengi na pia vile vile nlipata maarifa ya kurahisisha baadhi ya shuhuli zangu za kijami. Kikao cha pili kilikua kanisani ambacho tulikitumia kama moja ya nafasi kupeana changa moto zetu na vitu tulivyo vifanikisha kama vijana.
Shuhuli nnzima ilikua nzuri na mimi kama kijana nilishkuru sana kupata nafasi ya kujumuika na vijana wengi nlijifunza mengi na nimejaribu kuchukua baadhi ya program zenye Indonesia na Netherlands wanafanya ili nifanye mashinani kwetu. Thank you.”
“It has been a pleasure representing Kadzandani Creative Youth Organization (K.C.Y.O) at the Netherland’s Embassy after a one week tour in Mombasa and Nairobi on matters on youths and the Freedom of Religion or Beliefs. It has been an experience that has taught me a lot on matters concerning diversity in religion and beliefs as a whole. My sincere gratitude to IRCK and KECOSCE for giving me a chance to be part in the whole activity. On behalf of Kadzandani Creative Youth Organization (K.C.Y.O), I’d like channel my thanks to all the parties that made this happen. This does not end here, more is yet to come in God’s will.”
Naim (Netherlands) I was impressed with how the police work and partner with different people to do community policing and will definitely work on writing a concept note with an aim of creating avenues for police and people from our community to work together.
Achraf, Sari and Naim: They all learned about the different religions and cultures especially on interfaith. When they get back to their countries they will work on promoting interfaith dialogues.
Sari (Indonesia): In Indonesia it is almost a taboo and unheard of the different religions and faiths to sit together but Kenya’s trip has proved that it is possible and it can therefore work in other countries.
Achraf (Netherlands): In Holland a small issue can turn in to a big problem but with the gained experience it will be easy to promote interfaith dialogue.
Cherry (Kenya): It was an honor to host youths from Netherlands and Indonesia. I learnt a lot about religion. I discovered more about SHIA and SUNA which I didn’t know much about despite living in Mombasa since birth. I also learnt about relationships and interactions between police and community. Community policing has a large impact in the community. Hosting Sari at our place despite her being a Muslim gave both of us a chance to believe that different religions can mingle with no fear. We were able to expend our networks hence a plus to us as the youth. I enjoyed the exchange despite a few challenges here and there. I am thankful for the honor of being part of the exchange. I would like to also get a chance to go to Indonesia and Netherlands to learn much about them.
Devi (Indonesia): In Indonesia there is not much community work but the information and practical experience gained from the Kenya and Netherlands youths has provided a platform and an approach method to working with the community which I will seek to implement in my Country.
Bouchra (Netherlands): Experience is always better than reading something and this exchange has given me an opportunity to experience interacting with different religions and faiths. I have experienced so many things including Islam and Christian, so now I understand about these religions and therefore can be able to talk about them better.
Hyvoone (Kenya): It is possible for youth of different backgrounds, diversity, religions to work together without violence.
Alifatul (Indonesia): The concept of women of faith network is definitely worth exploring therefore will seek to adopt these in the women networks that I work with.
Ayoub (Netherlands): The power of team work and appreciation of other delegates from other teams from other countries was a great experience and beautiful one. These experience will give opportunities for young people to take part in programs in their countries.
Mary (Kenya): This exchange has empowered the people involved by letting them interact with other religions and thus appreciating each other.
At the end friendships were created, bonds formed and families were born out of the exchange.
The Inter-Religious Council - Kenya Blog 
Interesting Pieace….. Building peace our different ways
LikeLike