When Young People has the space they can do wonders!

Taking the ownership of the game belongs to us!
Small Children of the children's club few months back made a small volleyball court in the YMCA ground. It was very much below basic standard. But still they kept playing and enjoyed very much. 

Before

Couple of young boys (Ruvinda and Shamal) came to me last week and shared their interest on playing volleyball. One of them is a member of the youth club and the other one has attended the YMCA pre-school many more years ago. Both of them have just stepped into their twenties. Then together we inspected the available ground and found out that it is very much below condition to play volleyball for teenagers and young adults. But, they said that they can turn this around and make a reasonably looking volleyball court. 

They went back home and on the next day they came with several youngsters and started cleaning and preparing the court. Major challenge was to stop ball hitting the windows and going to the neighboring garden. YMCA board agreed to buy them a old fishing net and with their hard work they managed to make a good wall around the court with the net. 

After

Now they have started playing volleyball and the children of the children's club also have a much better looking place to spend their leisure time! 

As we all know they volleyball is our (YMCA) game and together with the youth playing now in the YMCA we have taken steps to form a Pamunugama YMCA volleyball team. Most importantly this has already brought 12 new youth members and there are many more to join.

Ridma

Come-Share Extends support to 9 new students through the YMCA of Pamunugama

Come-Share Foundation has been a longstanding partner of the YMCA of Pamunugama. During the past 8 years Come-Share has supported over sixty students providing Scholarships and financial support for additional classes. Further Come-Share has extended their support for English and Computer courses and other educational activities of the students in number of occasions.

From the months of June and July 9 more new students preparing for their A/L Exam in 2015 has been selected through YMCA. They will be supported continuously till their A/L examination and will be supported even further based on the field they are going to chose.

We thank Come-Share for continues assistance to students and all the support to the YMCA of Pamunugama for the promotional of educational activities. 

ICY International Seminar - 2013 "Youth Participation for a just World"

All Set for the ICY International Seminar 2013 

Theme: "Youth Participation for a Just World"

Venue: World's End Lodge - Beragala http://lankahotel.com/

Dates: 15 - 18 August, 2013

All the YMCA of Pamunugama youth are invited to join. Please contact Ann Sudeepika of the YMCA of Pamunugama on 031 222 65 71 or 071 682 0128 for more details and registration.

Deadline: 18 July, 2013

It is important that you reserve your place as soon as possible since only a limited number of youth can be accommodated in the programme.

Dialogue Circle 2 "Transformation of the Art of Song in Sri Lanka"

Monthly meeting of the second dialogue circle was held yesterday (11 July, 2013) evening at the YMCA. Unlike the first meeting the group discussed on somewhat entertaining this-time. There were 11 members attended the gathering while Lars Håberg a teacher from Sunnfjord Folk High School was presented. 

Discussion was on the expansion  and the transformation of the art of song in Sri lanka. Group discussed on the contrast of the music from early days in Sri Lanka (1920) and today. It was interesting to listen to few songs which was lined up according to the timeline of the Sri Lankan recorded music history. Further the group mentioned several names such as Sunil Santha, Ananda Samarakoon, Mohidimbek, Amaradeva, Victor Rathnayake, Volley bastian, Sanath nandasiri, Nanda Malani, Milton Perera, Milton Mallawarachchi, Sunil Edirisinghe and upto Bathiya Santhush which are remaining as landmarks in the Sri Lankan music history.

Safari in Wilpattu - Day to Remember for the Pamunugama YMCA Children

At Thambapanni Beach

24 Children belong to the YMCA Children's Club, Girl Guides Group and Scout Group went on a Safari trip to the Wilpattu National Park on  yesterday (30 June, 2013). It has been a annual custom to organize a trip and this year it was planned in a way to give a novel experience to the children.

Children with 5 leaders left from Pamunugama around 2 am by a rented bus and arrived at the Wilpattu National Park gate around 6 am in the morning. Group entered the park by 2 safari cabs which were reserved in advance.

Children were very lucky with weather and the animals they met on the tour. Hardest to see in Wilpattu is the leopard which was visible for the children few yards away from the cabs in bushes. There were many animals including fox, wild pig, eagles, dear and many other kinds. It was a little scary with the elephants met on the way out of the park. 

Other highlights of the park were the palace of Kuweni and the horse point where the landscape was special. Children will have a follow-up of the trip at the next children's club meeting where they will have to submit a report on the tour in groups.

Always wanted Off-road

Guide explaining on the Kuweni's palace

Special landscape at Horse Point in Kudurawelli