Annual Trip of Pamunugama YMCA Children to Ambuluwawa and Saradeil's Village

Children of the Pamunugama YMCA Childrens' Club had their annual picnic on 24 August, 2016. During the picnic they visited Environmental Conservation, Development and Bio Diversification Centre in Ambuluwawa. This situates about 3567 ft above sea level. Children had a chance to have a walk through the lash green nature and to climb the steep temple built insite the conservation.

Then they proceeded to  Saradiel's Village in Uthuwanganda. Saradiel is known as the Robbin Hood in Sri Lanka from 19th century. In this village, the story of Saradiel is described through sculptures and the life style of 18th century people in Sri Lanka also recreated through various arts.

25 children, 4 parents, 3 YMCA representatives joined the picnic.

Walking through the nature in Ambuluwawa

Climbing down the Ambuluwawa steep temple

All together

Listening the the story of Saradiel

GCI Field Visit in Pamunugama

Participants of the Global Citizenship Institute (GCI) Programme participants are currently having their field visit in Pamunugama area. YMCA of Pamunugama is hosting the field visit. GCI is under the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs and GCI programme is an annual event to raise awareness on globalization and to train young people to become global citizens.

During the field visit, YMCA of Pamunugama is trying to educate the participants on various global and local issues effecting the community in Pamunugama. 

Field visit started on 19th August Friday with an presentation and a dialogue on the proposed Financial City to be build in the see in Colombo. Mr. Ravindra Kariyawasam an environmentalist gave a comprehensive presentatation on the background and enviorenmental impact on the proposed project while Rev Fr Sarath Iddamalgoda who is an leading activist in Sri Lanka explained the group about why this project negatively effect to the people in the community and the political rationals behind this project. Mr. Aruna Fernando who is a Fishery Folk leader explianed on the negative impact towards fishermen from this project. 

Participants arrived at the Pamunugama YMCA on 20th Saturday morning. Day started with an orientation to the Pamunugama area, home stay and the work of the Pamunugama YMCA. Mr. Aruna Nonis facilitated the orientation. Following the orientation group visited a local harbor project in the area which has only contributed to the sea erosion.

Then the group had lunch together and settled in the 4 houses where they are going to be hosted for next couple of days. In the evening group joined with a Field Visit in the Negombo lagoon. During the boat trip in the lagoon GCI participants witnessed the pollution taken place in the Negombo lagoon and the mass scale deforestation of Mangrove plants. Fishing in the Negombo lagoon during the boat trip also was a novel experience to the group. 

On Sunday 21 August, 2016 group spent the morning with the families where they were hosted. After the having lunch together with Pamunugama YMCA leaders the group spent time playing cricket with Pamunugama YMCA youth. Later in the evening group had two meetings with a fishermen leader and a local politician in the area. 

Pamunugama YMCA thank APAY and National Council of YMCAs Sri Lanka for giving the opportunity to facilitate the field visit. 

Presentation Proposed Financial City by Mr. Ravindra Kariyawasam

Field visit to the local harbor project

Sri Lankan lunch at a local restaurant

Fishing in the Negombo lagoon

Boat Trip in Negombo lagoon

Guides Visit to Norway

3 Guides, Guides leader and Aruna (Board Member) of Pamunugama YMCA spent time in Norway from 27 July till they reached their homes this morning (16. 08. 2016). On an invitation by the Bronnoysund YMCA YWCA, group from Pamunugama traveled to Norway. During their stay group attended a District Camp organized by the YMCA YWCA Scouts of Norway in Bronnoysund area. Over 500 scouts participated this camp including international groups from Brundi, Rusia and etc.

After the scout camp Pamunugama guides and YMCA leader Aruna was hosted by scout friends in Bronnoysund before they moved to Asker for last 3 days where they were hosted by scout friends in Asker.

YMCA of Pamunugama thank Bronnoysund YMCA YWCA Scouts for their invitation and hospitality during the stay in Bronnoysund as well as to Asker Scout friends for arranging a memorable stay for Pamunugama YMCA Guides and Aruna.  

Sri Lankan participants of the camp

Guides from Pamunugama and Moratuwa Scouts performing in Bronnoy Church

Pamunugama Guides with Kirsten Ostogaard (Bronnoys Scout Leader)

Pamunugama Guides and Aruna with Rolf and Asker Scouts 

Trip to an Amusement park organized by Asker Scouts

Guides performing at the Campfire

Guides Visit to Norway

3 Guides, Guides leader and Aruna (Board Member) of Pamunugama YMCA spent time in Norway from 27 July till they reached their homes this morning (16. 08. 2016). On an invitation by the Bronnoysund YMCA YWCA, group from Pamunugama traveled to Norway. During their stay group attended a District Camp organized by the YMCA YWCA Scouts of Norway in Bronnoysund area. Over 500 scouts participated this camp including international groups from Brundi, Rusia and etc.

After the scout camp Pamunugama guides and YMCA leader Aruna was hosted by scout friends in Bronnoysund before they moved to Asker for last 3 days where they were hosted by scout friends in Asker.

YMCA of Pamunugama thank Bronnoysund YMCA YWCA Scouts for their invitation and hospitality during the stay in Bronnoysund as well as to Asker Scout friends for arranging a memorable stay for Pamunugama YMCA Guides and Aruna.  

Sri Lankan participants of the camp

Guides from Pamunugama and Moratuwa Scouts performing in Bronnoy Church

Pamunugama Guides with Kirsten Ostogaard (Bronnoys Scout Leader)

Pamunugama Guides and Aruna with Rolf and Asker Scouts 

Trip to an Amusement park organized by Asker Scouts

Upcoming Events for Pamunugama YMCA

While the Pamunugama YMCA continues its day-today programmes, the following special events are scheduled to be held during next 4 weeks.

19 - 22 August, 2016 - GCI Programme organized by the Asia Pacific Alliance of YMCAs

Programme is scheduled to be held from 15 - 28 August and Pamunugama YMCA is responsible in organizing the field visit for the participants of the group. During the field visit 12 international parcipants will have home stay accomodation in Pamunugama and learn about various issues pertaining to the community in Pamunugama

24 August 2016 - Annual Trip of Scouts/Guides and Children's' Club

Child members will join with a trip to Uthuwan Kanda. Uthuwan Kanda is known as the place ran by Saradiyal (Heroic Character) when Sri Lanka was under British control.

27th August - Night Cricket Tournament

Local teams in the village are invited to play the tournament under modified rules in the YMCA garden. Around 10 teams are expected to participate and the games will be held under flood lights. 

2 - 5 September, 2016 - Youth Trip to Atanwala

Youth Club and the young people involved with the YMCA Gym are invited to participate the trip. So far 10 have confirmed. During the hike they will visit an isloated village in Matale Distric and joing a long walk to Duvili Waterfall which covers over 40 Kms back and forth. This will be a novel experience for some of the youth in Pamunugama where they will be able to build their stamina, team spirit and friendship among the group.