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| Meeting of Huskies Groups |
12 member group from USA attached to the ENVEST Sri Lanka Project visited the island from 13th to 18th August, 2018. Group was consisted of 6 students and 6 academics representing Northern Illinois University, Virginia Commonwealth University and University of North Carolina-Greensboro University.
They arrived in Sri Lanka on 13th August and in the evening group went on a boat trip in the lagoon, enjoying nature encountering wild monkeys and birds. Following the boat trip group was welcomed by the YMCA of Pamunugama and had a short tea meeting discussing the project and getting to know each-other.
14th August group joined a panel discussion on the ENVEST project activities and future plans organized by the American Center in Colombo. Dr. Paul Wright of Northern Illinois University, Dr. Carrie Lecrom of Verginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Michael Hemphill of University of North Carolina-Greensboro University and Ridma Fonseka of Pamunugama YMCA were among the panelists and there were around 30 people representing different YMCAs and different sports institutions attended the panel discussion. Then the group together with some of the Huskies members from the visit to US in April, 2018 and some YMCA members went to watch a T20 Cricket match between Sri Lanka and South Africa at R. Premadasa Stadium. It was a great cultural experience in a overcrowded and unorganized pavilion management.
On 15th of August, 3 Huskies group met at Amaya Aria Lagoon Hotel to follow-up the action plans prepared during the visit to USA in April, 2018 and to refresh some of the learning. It was a great reunion and there were all together 28. Groups agreed upon plans and to continue the relationship and to share knowledge for future collaboration.
On 16th August, YMCA of Pamunugama organized a Workshop on "Teaching Life Skills Through Sports Training". USA Group facilitated this training and 30 coaches and sports administrations representing schools in the area, 3 YMCAs, Fencing Clubs, Archery Clubs, Handball Federation and Born to Win Institution attended the event. It was a great opportunity to introduce the idea of transferring life skills to young people through sports training. It was a privilege for YMCA of Pamunugama to have the service of experienced facilitators from the ENVEST delegation.
Day prior to the departure was a day for relaxation and group left on 18th August for USA. YMCA of Pamunugama thank all the US delegates from ENVEST project and special thank to Dr. Paul Wright and Dr. Jenn Jocabs and the crew from the Northern Illinois University for pre-arrangements and great communications and wonderful collaboration to make the visit a memorable one for the YMCA of Pamunugama. Also wish to extend gratitude all members an volunteers contributed and supported the staff immensely to make this event a success.
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| Boat Trip in the Negombo Lagoon |
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| Welsome meeting at the YMCA of Pamunugama |
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| Panel Discussion at the American Centre |
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| At R Premadasa Stadium watching Cricket |
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| Teaching Life Skills Through Sports Training - Workshop at YMCA |
