Visit of Taiwan Youth to Pamunugama

A group of young people from Taichung YMCA in Taiwan consisting 34 members together with two staff members from National YMCA arrived at Pamunugama on early morning of Tuesday 26 January, 2016. After welcoming the group at the YMCA the first event was a beach cleaning activity where Taichung YMCA youth went to the Pamunugama beach and cleaned a selected area together with YMCA of Pamunugama youth. Following the lunch they visited a Children Home and spent the afternoon playing games, teaching Chinese and entertaining them with singing and dancing. Before the day was ended the group had a short trip to Negombo Beach.

Then the following day the 27^th January the group went to the beach of Pamunugama to experience the dragging net fishing (traditional method of fishing in Pamunugama). With the help of the local fisherman YMCA of Pamunugama were able to make that event a success. Because of the eagerness of catching some fish the Taichung youth continued the fishing activity helping the local fishermen to drag nets from the sea for about 3 hours and successfully ended the event even though the catch for the day was not so much. After the lunch children of YMCA of Pamunugama Children’s Club arrived and the Taiwan group had a program to entertain children. They were well prepared to the event.  Number of indoor and outdoor games and activities were conducted and at the end of the program they distributed some valuable gifts to the children and all were happy. Next event was the camp fire. The Children’s Club members performed some wonderful dances and entertained all and also the Taiwan youth group was prepared with some amazing acts which made all who were around happy. Youth of the YMCA of Pamunugama had few acts and games to entertain the group during the Campfire.

28^th January was the last day of the Programme in Pamunugama YMCA. Morning session was spent helping a family with two sick brother and a sister to build a toilet foe them. Both these family members are having a hard time as they both barely walk and the new toilet attached to their house will help them very much and they were thankful to the YMCA and the Taiwan group for volunteering with this great kind act. Next event was the Boat Trip in the Negombo Lagoon with fishing. Boat trip was extended to some part of the Muthurajawela Marsh, which evocatively translates as ‘Supreme Field of Pearls’, is a little-known gem of a wetland at the southern end of Negombo’s lagoon. Group were able to witness various birds, monkeys and several other wet land animal species. Fishing made the trip even more interesting and the Taiwan youth had a great time with Sri Lankan youth during the Boat Trip. Last event of the visit was the farewell dinner with YMCA Pamunugama members and youth. It was a great BBQ party with music and dancing. Youth of Pamunugama had organized the event wonderfully well and the Taichung youth enjoyed the evening very much together with Pamunugama Youth and spent their final few hours with a lot of happiness. It was very much emotional for both groups to say good bye to each other as they made a lot of friendships during this visit even though it was limited just three days.

Fore more pictures please click on the link below.
Taichung Visit Pictures

Reported by Isuru Nonis

People's Struggle Against port City Continues!

Around 500 fishermen and number of organizations gathered at Center for Society and Religion (CSR) to prepare and organize their written objections on the Environmental Impact Report of the proposed Colombo Port City Project. 

According to the experts the report lack its attention on number of important elements such as livelihood, overall impact on environment after completing the project and etc. Following the meeting at CSR the group marched towards the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department. There they had a meeting with the Director General of the Department before handing over the written objections. 

During the brief discussion that Director General had with the group, he mentioned that the concerns of the citizens will be considered when making the final decision. YMCA of Pamunugama also handed over the objections at this occasion along with number of organizations and individuals.

Director General Receiving the Objections

YMCA GYM - Pamunugama YMCA expands its services to youth!

Symbolic Opening the Gym

YMCA of Pamunugama opened its Gym with the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today (03 January, 2015). With the new initiative YMCA will be able to provide and support young people to maintain physical fitness and good health. There has been a demand for a Gym among young people as there is no such place for them to work-out in the nearby.

Sports and physical fitness is one of the priorities of the YMCA from the beginning and YMCA in Sri Lanka takes the leadership in promoting Body Building and Weight Lifting in major cities such as Kandy and Colombo.

Board Members including President & Treasurer of Pamunugama YMCA, Board Membersa and Gym members attended the ceremony. Gym will be open from Tuesday to Sunday and youth can use the facility till 9.00 pm in the evening.

Ribbon was Cut by Mr. Shelton (President - Pamunugama Y)

Opening Prayer and Biblical Meditation by Mr. Shelton

Mr. Aruna, Past President of NCY addressing the gathering

Video presentation - YMCA History and Sports