Youth from Taichung visit Pamunugama YMCA

32 youth from Taichung YMCA of Taiwan visited Pamunugama YMCA from 23 - 24 August, 2013. They visited Pamunugama during their visit to Sri Lanka where they are traveling around Sri Lanka conduction children's programmes in 4 YMCAs in Sri Lanka.

On 23rd evening Taichung youth joined with a boat trip together with the YMCA of Pamunugasma youth in the Negombo lagoon and on 24th they conducted a children's camp for 50 children at the YMCA of Pamunugama YMCA.Camp was colourfully arranged by the Taichung youth with a number of activities, talent shows and games. All the children had a great day and the youth from Pamunugama also were able to share and learn with each other. We thank the Taichung YMCA for this great opportunity.

Taichung YMCA - Youth Group in Pamunugama

Youth meet in Beragala for the ICY Seminar 2013

"Youth Participation for a Just World" has been the theme for this year's Thirst for Peace ICY International Seminar 2013. Seminar was organized by the YMCA of Pamunugama in partnership with the ICY Pamunugama and ICY Oslo which held far up in mountains in Beragala with a participation of 26 youth from Pamunugama, Matara, Moratuwa and Oslo. 

There were number of elements of Just World and youth participation to create a just world were discussed through group activities, group discussions, case studies and presentations. 3 ICY members (Helena, Karoline and Elisabewth) conducted session where they emphasized the need for a common action to make a just world as an international community. They also presented the activities done by the Y Global specially related to a project called "Stop Poverty".

 As a result of the learning and inputs from the seminar group came to an understanding where they have to agree on a common vision to work for a just world. All the members of the group signed for a declaration where they committed themselves to work for a just world. It was named as the Beralaga Declaration as it was the venue where it was signed.

Group Activities

Sharing and case studies

On the way to Site

Workshop by the ICY Oslo

All agreeing for the Declaratio

Photographer: Aruna Pathirage

YMCA of Pamunugama visit to Horowpothana

Ridma and Shelton visited Horowpathana on 06 - 07 August 2013. During their visit they met with the families whom are selected for the YMCA support to re-build their houses damaged due to flood. 8 families have been selected for house repairing support and the work is undergoing at the moment. 

Second motive of the visit was to meet with the beneficiaries of the Life Agree Culture Project. Ridma and Shelton had a meeting with the beneficiaries to find out the work done in the past and to formalize the group work. All the families (25) have prepared their lands for home gardening and soon they will start growing vegetables and other kinds of fruits using organic fertilizers.s  Beneficiaries are to start savings and they are planing another training on sustainable farming methods with in next two weeks. As the next step of the project, beneficiaries will be provided with seeds and equipment that they need for home gardening.

House belong to Silawathi - Work has been started

Meeting with the Life Agriculture Project beneficiaries 

Meeting with the Life Agriculture Project Leaders Group

Udara from Pamunugama YMCA to Prague for "The Love 2 Live" Festival

Prague Festival is the biggest tensing festival in Europe and it is a once in life experience for a Sri Lanka youth to attends this event. Udara Devmi from Pamunugama YMCA is departing from Sri Lanka to attend this huge YMCA Festival together with Geethi and Philip respectively from the YMCA of Matara and National Council of YMCAs. 

Our current President Shivankara has been the only youth from Pamunugama attended this event before Devmi. The Love 2 Live Festival will provide a unique opportunity for 10,000 young people from across Europe and the world to come together to celebrate life, celebrate culture, celebrate diversity and celebrate all that is inspiring about being young in Europe and the wider world.

Udara Devmi

Udara first stepped in to the YMCA of Pamunugama in 2007 as a student who attended a Prefects Training programme organized by the YMCA of Pamunugama. Since then she showed a great interest towards youth programmes in the YMCA. In 2012 she was selected by the National Council of the YMCAs of Sri Lanka to represent Sri Lanka as an Change Agent which is a programme of the World Council of the YMCAs to promote youth participation in the YMCA world-wide. 

We wish all the best to Udara and the other two youth attending event to carry the YMCA Sri Lanka flag high. Good Luck from Pamunugama YMCA to all the young people attending the Prague 2013!!