Movement Against Port City meets villagers at the YMCA

Peoples Movement Against Port City today (30 December, 2015) had a meeting with the villages at the YMCA of Pamunugama to raise awareness on the latest developments of the Port City Project. 

People were educated on the latest EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment Report) report on the project and people were encouraged to send their concerns to the authorities within the time frame.

At the meeting it was reveled that the sand-mining for the filling of the sea will be conducted in the see off Pamunugama peninsula which will have direct impact to the fishermen and inhabitants in the area. 

Christmas Gathering of YMCA Members

Members of the YMCA of Pamunugama gathered to celebrate the joy of Christmas at the YMCA premises on 20 December, 2015. Members of Pamunugama are attached to various programmes of the YMCA and Christmas gathering is one of the occasions they all come together. 

Singing Karoke, dancing, games made the event colorful and the BBQ dinner was organized by the youth for the members. Event helped members to refresh their friendships and to motivate them to work together in the coming year. 

Meanwhile the Children members also organized their year end party on 21 December, 2015 at the YMCA with dancing singing and games while enjoining drinks and snacks brought by them. Children took the leadership for the event.

Pamunugama children unleash their talents on stage.

YMCA of Pamunugama annual concert is the stage for children in the YMCA to showcase their talents in-front of their relatives and friends. YMCA organize this event annually during the month of December. Kids in the preschool, Children's Club, Scout and Guides make the event colorful with their talent.

Annual Concert 2015 was held on 06 December, 2015 with the participation of around 19 pre-school kids and 50 children and teenagers attached to above mentioned programmes. There was a houseful crowd  of around 200 villagers to witness dances, dramas and acts performed by the kids. 

Rev Sister Nilanka a former children club member of the YMCA of Pamunugama attended the event as the chief guess while the Grama Niladari (Village Officer), Mr. Calison Jayakodi (Opposition Leader of Negombo Municipal Council), Mr. Shelton Peiris (President of Pamunugama YMCA) and Board Members of the YMCA of Pamunugama were among the invitees.YMCA of Pamunugama thank parents, teachers, staff, youth members, Board of Directors and all who has worked hard to make the event a success.

For pictures click on the link
YMCA Concert - Photos
Pictures - Nisala Nonis​

YMCA facilitates a reading camp at Peralanda St. Joseph Vidyalaya

Mr. Charles during a presentation

YMCA Pamunugama has been working closely with Peralanda St. Joseph School during past few years. As a response to a request made by the Peralanda St. Joseph School, YMCA of Pamunugama facilitated a half a day reading camp to mark the readers month in Sri Lanka which is October.

During the programme YMCA Pamunugama tried to develop willingness for reading among students through various activities and discussions. YMCA of Pamunugama thank Peralanda St. Joseph School for the trust they have on the YMCA of Pamunugama in organizing similar events.

Presentations on the group reading activities

Group leaders 

Penguins organized a 2 Day Camp

Penguin Group organized a two day camp as their group assignment on 30-31 October 2015 at the YMCA ground. All the arrangements and the preparations were done by the group itself without the support of the staff and the leaders. Purpose of organizing this types of camps is to give train YMCA Scouts and guides to become responsible leaders.

Vegitable Fair by Pre School

Pre School of the YMCA annually organizes a vegitable fair. During the fair children get a chance to experience a fair and they sell vegitable items to the public. During the fair children are supported by the parents and teachers. Funds raised thrugh the fair will be used to cover expenses of the year end children concert which is to be held during December, 2015.

Children of Pamunugama celebrates the Children's Day

YMCA of Pamunugama always give priority to the Children’s Programme as it is the best way of building leaders for the YMCA movement as well as to the society. In Sri Lanka the 01 October is considered as the day dedicated for children while other countries celebrates on different days. To mark this special day YMCA of Pamunugama organized an evening gathering on 04 October, 2015 for the children attached to the YMCA children’s Club, Scout and pre-school. 

Event was commenced with flag hoisting by Mr. Shelton Peiris, president of Pamunugama YMCA and followed with various activities such as storytelling, movie, outdoor games, and a talent show. Around 60 children attended this evening which was organized with the support of Pre-school teachers, volunteers and staff.

Ape Sindu Patiya 2015 (Our Song Party) raising funds for YMCA programmes

Long awaited Ape Sindu Patiya 2015 was successfully held at Aliya Pola Reception hall on 19 September, 2015. Sindu Patiya is the annual fund raising event of the YMCA where well wishers and YMCA friends gather for a musical evening. Sindu Patiya is a place for people who love singing and dancing together. Mr. Calison Jayakodi (Opposition leader of Negombo municipal council) attended the event as the chief guest. 

Around 150 friends and well wishers attended this time. YMCA of Pamunugama thanks Mr. Aruna Shantha Nonis for giving leadership in organizing the event. Special gratitude to those who contributed to the event by providing advertisements/banners and financial contributions to make this event a success.

Pamunugama kids take part at Colombo YMCA Day Camp

9 children and 2 leaders of the Pamunugama YMCA attended a day camp organized by the YMCA of Colombo on 12 September, 2015. Singing, games and various group activities were included in the day camp. All the kids who attended this event were awarded with a certificate for participation. 

Group No 3 receives their second Micro Loan

Five members of the Group number three attached to the YMCA of Pamunugama Micro Finance Programme received their second Micro Loan (Rs 20,000/= each) to further develop their self employments. Fishing and pig farming are the areas of self-employments of these women. Their second loan was offered after resettling their first loan taken one year ago.

Exposure and Technical Training for Life Agriculture Project Beneficiaries

Mr. Kandegama explaining on preserving soil

Life Agriculture Project of the YMCA of Pamunugama promotes the organic farming which is the one and only reliable solution for most of the health and financial difficulties suffered by the small scale farmers in Sri Lanka.

28 farmers attached to the project yesterday visited the Sanasa Ecological Farm and Agricultural Training Center in Ukuwela to gain knowledge on organic farming and to gather traditional knowledge that Sri Lankans had in the past where they did wonders with farming, providing food not only to Sri Lankans but also to many Asian nations in the history.

During the visit farmers had an exposure visit in the farm led by Ms Masha Sarachchandra (Coordinating officer) while having on-field training on various organic farming methods including preparing and maintaining land, timing and traditions based on scientific reasons for farming. 

Mr. Thilak Kandegam who is an expert on traditional farming delivered a extended lecture sharing his experiences and thousand and one practical knowledge he has gathered from around the country was a huge motivation to the farmers. Three staff and leaders from the YMCA also attended the event.

Ms Masha leading the exposure

Mr. Kandegama was very clear on his thoughts and vision

Demonstrations

LAP Project members learning by doing

Beneficiaries having on field training

One day was not enough. There were many more to learn

Scouts & Guides Camping in Atanwala.

Atanwala is isolated village in Matale District next to Knuckles Mountain Range. From one side the village boarders to Thelgamu Oya which enrich the village paddy fields with cold clean water. This is where YMCA Pamunugama picked to pithch tents for their Outdoor Camp from 24 - 26 August 2015.

18 Scouts & Guides (11 Boys and 7 girls) along with 8 leaders (including 2 staff) start the camp by pitching tents. It was a hard and tough walk to the camp-site from the place where th bus was parked. But the cold bath campers had from Thelgamu river helped to rest and relax.

Next day started morning exercises and followed with morning rally. Scout Scarf were awarded to the campers during the rally and the flag was hoisted. Mr. Agara Ratne the owner of the land we pitched tents and the main facilitator from the village attended the rally as the chief guest. Hike, learning about traditional paddy farming, Treasure Hunting, Learning Scout Technics, Outdoor Cooking, Camp-fire featured the day enabling the scouts and guides to have a wonderful outdoor experience.

On the third day after having lunch the campers returned home. YMCA of Pamunugama extend the gratitude to the Leaders, parents for their fullest support to make this event a success while we remember the Bronnoysund YMCA/YWCA Scouts for financially supporting the event and Mr. Rolf Falchenberg the leader of Asker YMCA/YWCA Scouts for sponsoring for scarf of the scouts.