25
youth from Moratuwa and Pamunugama gathered at the Samanala Bungalow from
19 - 21 April, 2013 in Maskeliya. Youth started their journey to Maskeliya
by a hired old looking bus in the morning on 19th and stopped on the way in
Kithulgala for lunch and a bath. Everything went well except the rice did not
come perfect as it was too little experience among the group boiling rice for a
larger group. It was a lot of fun swimming and it gave the opportunity to get
to know the new faces. Finally the group arrived at Samanala Bangalow in
Maskeliya a little later that expected.
It was a surprise that the Bungalow was a old house used by British which is
still well maintained by the Estate owners as a bungalow for managers in the
estate. Group only had time to discuss the objectives of attending
the event before they felt on sleep after a long day.On 20th Morning group
started discussing about the current state of youth in the local YMCAs and the
challengers they have within and the outside of the YMCA to function as active
and responsible youth. Then the group was led by Udara Devmi, a youth from
Pamunugama YMCA who is a Member of the World Allince of YMCA "Change
Agent" Programme with a session on the imporatance of being together and
networking to wake up the sleeping Giant the "YMCA".After the lunch
group went through a session of Activities where they learnt from each other on
leadership and working together.
Next it was the time to learn about the YMCA. Youth went into smaller groups
and came up with five questions from each group about the YMCA which the group
did not know about the YMCA from before. Questions were answered by the
experience leaders sitting on a circle together on the garden which had a
fabulous background where Adam's Peak was clearly visible.After the dinner
group sat together and started a round of singing the favorite songs selected
by each participant. It was fun and interesting thoughts came out from the
youth when they opened-up themselves talking why they liked those songs.
Next day the last but not the least, groups started working on listing out the
activities they need to implement to promote youth participation. Two youth
clubs will discuss more and short list the programmes they discussed once they
return back to their groups. Meanwhile a smaller group worked with preparing a
document to be forwarded to the National Council of the YMCAs suggesting to
broaden the youth activities to promote more youth and participation in
the National Level.
Before everyone enjoyed the last meal in the programme group went thorugh a
evaluation where participants expressed their view on the programme which
emphasized the participatory method used in the programme. Moratuwa and
Pamunugama youth came to a mutual understanding that we need to work together
and to stand for each other in promoting youth participation on different
forums.
