Education Projects

Face to Faith Students

Face to Faith is connecting young people from twelve countries across religious and national divides. Everyone involved with the programme is constantly inspired by the creativity, openness and energy of the young people we are working with. They are building enduring relationships through the secure online community and the video-conferences which are breaking down barriers and changing the way they view the world. Here we share with you some of their words and stories.

In their own words

The Online Community

The Face to Faith online community is a vital part of the experience for students, enabling them to carry on with their discussions, celebrating their cultures and building relationships with one another, outside the VC.

This is a secure monitored community where students can chat and communicate safely. Each student has their own customisable homepage, and can participate in discussion fora, competitions, hot-seat debates, and most importantly, making new friends.

Growing multi-faith understanding

The students are learning a great deal about other faiths and finding new ways to connect. Below are a selection of christmas cards made by young people in Pakistan for their friends in the UK.

From understanding to action

The students as they listen to and learn about people their own age whose lives are marred by poverty and illness are becoming inspired to take action. Like the young people at St Thomas the Apostle school in New York whose headteacher Christina Teisch described as overwhelmed by what they had heard about Hope Flowers School in Bethleham, Palestine. “They listened. They were silent. They asked what could they do to help these children.On a sunny Saturday in June, 40 of my students spent the day washing hundreds of cars with me and teacher, Robert Windorf. It was hot! We worked so very hard! It was worth it! The funds we raised was for Hala's children at Hope Flowers School. A school thousands of miles away from us”

Or the young people in Bolton who were asked what they would do if they were Prime Minister of their country for a day during a video conference with Anugrah a non formal school for underprivileged children from the Basti (Slum Area) of Bharat Vihar, New Delhi. The young British children showed the effect of exchanges like this with answers focusing around global poverty and the Millenium Development Goals.

See the project come to life by watching this short film: