Year End Christmas Get-togethers

Children with gifts they received from Australia

Both adult and Child members had their year end Christmas get-togethers on 23. 12. 2018 at the YMCA premises.

35 Children attached to the YMCA Children's Programmes had their get-together in the morning where they had snacks and fun games. They also danced and sang carols together. YMCA also arranged gifts for each children in the Children's Club. As in past several years a Christian Group led by Ms. S. Niles sponsored for the gifts by sending them all the way from Australia. 

Later in the evening other members had their get-together with a B.B.Q. dinner. They also enjoyed the evening by singing carols, dancing and taking part in fun games. There were 35 members took part in the event.

Patrol leaders made the Crib

Patrol leaders of the YMCA of Pamunugama Scout Group made the crib together on 20th December, 2018. 8 patrol leaders and vice leaders joined the activity. Preparing the crib is an annual activity of the YMCA Children's Club.

YMCA children on carol tour around the villege

30 Children attached to the YMCA Children's Programmes visited houses in the village while singing Christmas carols on 21 December, 2018. They also performed the birth of  Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and shared the good news of the arrival of Prince of Peace. 

Relationship Building Programme for Parents of Makalause Dream School Students

Makalause Dream School organised a workshop for parents on 19 December, 2018 at the school premises in Delathura. Objective of this event was to get to know the parents and strengthening the relationship and partnership between the parents and the school. 

Mr. Dileepa Wanniarachchi, a motivational trainer of Born to Win Relationships institute and Aruna Nonis, the Chairman of Makalause Drema School Task Committee facilitated the discussion. During the meeting, parents shared their experiences with their children with special needs. They also mentioned number of challenges they face and discuss the possibilities of overcoming challenges by being open minded and tactful. Parents expressed their gratitude to the YMCA for running the school in collaboration with Y Global and Bronnoysund Scouts assured their support in every possible ways. 13 parents attended the programme.

Holiday Camp

YMCA of Pamunugama organized a holiday camp for the students of "Makalause Dream" School for Specially Abled Students and Guides/Scouts of Pamunugama YMCA. 20 Scouts and Guides of Pamunugama was joined by 13 students of Makalause Dream School for this camp led by the youth and Scout Leaders of Pamunugama YMCA. Children lived in tents during these two days and participated in different camping activities such as coking, games, singing and campfire. 

This was a very novel experience for Pamunugama YMCA as it is the first time where YMCA organized a camp for scouts and guides together with the students of Malalause Dream School. Children enjoyed the camp held from 17, 19 December 2019 at YMCA premises.   

Pamunugama YMCA children display their talents on stage at Annual Concert

Annual Concert of the YMCA of Pamunugama was held on 9th December, 2018 in the YMCA Main Hall. Over 60 children attached to the Pre School, Children's Club, Scout Group, Guides Group and Makalause Dream School (YMCA School for Specially Abled Children) displayed their talents through 24 items including dances and dramas. This is one of the major annual event of Pamunugama YMCA where children prepare for several months.

S.I Marasinghe, Officer in-charge of the Crime Section of Dungalpitiya Police Station graced the event as the chief guest along with another two officers attached to Community Police Unit. Addressing the crowd chief guest highly rated the talents of the children of Pamunugama YMCA and appreciated the work of the teachers and YMCA Pamunugama for the children and community. 

There was an audience over 250 including YMCA members and invitees to witness the show. YMCA Pamunugama appreciate the commitment of the teachers, staff and parents for their wonderful contribution to put up this show together.

Lighting of the lamp

Welcome dance

Dance by junior Guides

Dance by Makalause Dream School

Teachers of Pre School and Makalause Dream School performing

Drama by Scouts

Trip to Kuruvita with youth leaders

8 member group of YMCA Pamunugama went on a trip to Mountains bordering to Adam's Peak in Kuruvita in Ratnapura. During the trip youth spent time in the nature living in tents and experiencing outdoor life. Group went there on 20th November and returned on 22 November 2018.

During the trip group also had a training on outdoor living, survival skills and team building.

Makalause Dream School -Opening ceremony

Opening batch - with two teachers

"Makalause Dream" School for Specially Abled Students was declared open at the opening ceremony held today (11.05.2018). Opening ceremony was held in the presence of several members and Board Members of the YMCA of Pamunugama, Priest in-charge of Delathura St. Rogus Church and several other invitees. 8 students have signed up with the school to begin with and YMCA expect to extend the services up to 15 students in the initial stage. Two experienced teachers (Sherin and Uththara) are employed to carry out the activities of the school. Y Global of Norway in collaboration with KFUK KFUM Scouts of Bronnoysund extend their support with funding the project.

Priest in-charge of the neighboring church blessed the school

Education is a right of every human being under the article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and it is included in our constitution as well. Further, it states that the elementary education shall be compulsory and free at fundamental stages. Unfortunately, in the developing world, the situation is not in that line and this precious right is being deprived for many.

When we consider the right to education for children with functional difficulties the situation is worse. According to the latest Sri Lankan government census of the year 2012 the number of people with functional difficulties in Sri Lanka are 1,617,924. By now, the number may have increased considerably.

Treasurer of Pamunugama YMCA lighting the oil-lamp

Sri Lanka being a developing country facing various economical constrains, the facilities and the opportunities extended to people with functional difficulties remain minimum. In the above context, the “Malkalause Dream School” is an initiative by the YMCA of Pamunugama in collaboration with YMCA/YWCA Scouts of Bronnoysund and Y Global in Norway to ensure the right to education for Specially Abled Students in Sri Lanka. The school situated at no;150 B, Peduru Mawatha, Dalathura in Ja-Ela. While ensuring the right to education, integrating Specially abled students into the society is also a major objective of this initiative.

Activities such as culture, sports and scouting will play a major role in addition to the formal classroom sessions to involve students in the process of social integration. It is also planned to mingle the students with the other children and youth who participate in other regular YMCA activities and events. We all look forward to this novel experience of working with these specially abled children.

Sis. Patrict led with a prayer

Aruna Nonis explaining the YMCA objectives behind the school

Mr. Jayamanna, retired teacher explaining the value of education to parents

Teacher getting to know the students

Greetings from Bonnoysund YMCA YWCA Makalause Scouts

Big Day for Pamunugama YMCA Scouts

19 young boys attached to the YMCA of Pamunugama received the membership of the World Scout Movement at the investiture ceremony held on 24.10.2018 at the YMCA of Pamunugama. YMCA of Pamunugama is the first YMCA scout group in Sri Lanka and active since 2002. 

Due to various reasons Scouts did not have the world movement membership even though they were active doing scout activities. During the ceremony scouts were awarded with the World Scout Badge confirming their membership in the world movement and the Sri Lanka Scout Movement badge confirming their affiliation to the Sri Lanka Scouts Association. 

Parents of the Scouts, Girl Guides and the leaders of Pamunugama YMCA were present to witness this special occasion. We thank the leaders and staff who worked with the leadership of Scout Leader Dhanuka to achieve this special moment. We also thank our friends of Asker YMCA YWCA Scout Group for being with us and encouraging us by providing various support including funds for scout uniforms and etc for the scouts.

Awareness Building Programme for Illegal Drug Prevention Group

Member's of the Drug Prevention Group had their first training programme on 24. 10. 2018. This was organized to raise the awareness of the group members themselves on Drug issue and to agree upon the next activities of the group. 16 members of the group attended this awareness Building Programme which held in the meeting room of the YMCA of Pamunugama.  

First session of the programme was led by Sub Inspector (S.I.)Marasinghe the officer in-charge of the Crime Division of Dungalpitiya Police Station. During his session S.I. Marasinghe gave an introduction to different types of Drugs, how people get addicted to illegal drugs and how to identify those who use them. Further he mentioned that the main reason behind the rising number of crimes are due to illegal drug addiction. He also mentioned that punishments and fines for drug dealers and users are very light in the Sri Lankan law which makes it difficult for the police and other legal entities to prevent this vastly spreading issue. According to S.I. Marasinghe, the best way to protect young people from illegal drugs is to keep them educated on the consequences of illegal drug usage and to rehabilitate those who have already affected. SI Marasinghe thanked the group and the YMCA for coming forward voluntarily to stand against this issue and assured his and his team's fullest support in future. 

Then group had a discussion on future plans and agreed the following;
1. to take actions to direct those who are already addicted to rehabilitation centers with the support of their families
2. conduct a camp for a group of young people during the month of December and to widely educate them as an action of prevention.
YMCA of Pamunugama thank Dungalpitiya Police for providing resorce persons for this programme and all the members who participated this programme and for agreeing to work together in the future.

Quiz competition for Children's Club

Pamunugama YMCA organized a quiz competition for the members of children's club on 14. 10. 2018. There were 4 teams and each team consisted of 7 members. 

In the first round 20 common  questions based on geography, science, entertainment, sports, politics and culture were asked and participants had to answer in groups. In the second round groups were given the opportunity to select 8 questions which they had to answer in their own groups. Fifteen questions were thrown to the participants during the third round and they were based on biblical knowledge. 

Group No. 2 led by Dinada Suhansith won the second place, while the Group No 4 led by Sahan Rashmika won the first place. Winners were awarded with certificates. 

Makalause Dream - School for Specially Abled Students!

Education is a right of every human being under the article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Further, it states that the elementary education shall be compulsory and free at fundamental stages. Unfortunately, in the developing world, the situation is otherwise and this precious right is being deprived for many. When consider the right to education for children with functional difficulties the situation is worse.

According to the latest Sri Lankan government census of the year 2012 the number of people with functional difficulties in Sri Lanka are 1,617,924. By now, the number may have increased considerably. Sri Lanka being a developing country facing various economical constrains, the facilities and the opportunities extended to people with functional difficulties remain minimum.

In the above context, the “Malkalaue Dream School” is an initiative by the YMCA of Pamunugama in collaboration with YMCA/YWCA Scouts of Bronnoysund and Y Global in Norway to ensure the right to education for Specially Abled Students in Sri Lanka. At the initial stage, 15 students will be benefited and receive services during weekdays at this school which is scheduled to be launched in the month of November, 2018.

While assuring the right to education, integrating these specially abled students with the society also a major objective of this initiative. Activities such as culture, sports and scouting will play a major role among other classroom activities in the process of social integration. As things progresses, we look forward to mingle the students with the other children and youth who participate in other regular YMCA activities and events. We all look forward to the novel experience of working with these specially blessed children.

Children's Day celebrations at Pamunugama YMCA

Children's Club members had a camp on 06 and 07 October, 2018 to celebrate the Children's Day at the YMCA of Pamunuagama. 24 members of the Children's Club participated the camp and youth leaders of Pamunugama YMCA led the camp by conducting games and a talent show. Children also watched a filmed in the evening and slept over at the YMCA of Pamunugama. 

YMCA Pamunugama gives leadership to irradiate Illegal Drugs in the village

Social Response Committee of the YMCA of Pamunugama has taken steps to form a  group within the community to response to the uprising drug issue in the village. As the first step a group of leaders from the YMCA visited a selected group of villagers to invite for a meeting on 02 September, 2018. 

There was a great response to the invitation and a meeting was held on Sunday, 16 September, 2018 at the YMCA with the participation of 16 including both elders and youth who came forward to support the cause. As the next step, there will be an awareness building programme for the group who has already gathered to understand the real gravity of the issue with the support of authorities.

YMCA paints the sky - Kites Festival

More than 100 kites flu over the sky of Kepungoda beach at the "Be a Kite" Kite Festival organized by the Youth Club of the YMCA of Pamunugama. There was a huge response to this open event from the community in the villages around YMCA of Pamunugama by bringing kites to the event irrespective of the age. 

Theme of the event was "World without Plastic and Polythene for Children". Winners were awarded with cash prices and certificates under three different categories. Categories were Largest Kite, Creative Kite and the Best Message in line with the theme. 

As a side event, the "siththam paura" project to paint the longest painting also held during the kite festival. Janathakshan an NGO working with environmental programmes gave their fullest support by extending financial contribution to make the event a success. Officer Incharge of Dugalpitiya Police graced the event as the chief guest.