Pamunugama YMCA visit to Munich

Meeting with Munich YMCA leaders

Pamunugama YMCA have been working with Munich YMCA for last 3 years promoting Christian Mission in the YMCA. We have had 3 visits from Munich to Pamunugama during last 3 years. For the first time 4 delegates from Pamunugama YMCA visited Munch, Germany on an invitation from the YMCA of Munich from 22 October - 04 November 2019. Pamunugama YMCA Treasurer -Shivankara Ranaweera, Advisor - Aruna Nonis, Board Member - Isuru Nonis and General Secretary - Ridma Fonseka were among the delegation.

Pamunugama YMCA delegates were warmly welcomed by the Munich YMCA friends at Munich Airport on arrival and brought to two houses where the group were hosted. 

There were several important meetings. On the very second day Pamunugama YMCA delegates were hosted for a Welcome dinner meeting at Munich YMCA with Mr. Friedhard Reiner- President of Munich YMCA, Mr. Joe - Leader/Secretary for Christian Mission Programmes, Mr. Stefan Nicklas - General Secretary of Munich YMCA and couple of Board Members and friends. It was a very warm and friendly meeting. Meeting with the staff of Munich YMCA was a great opportunity get to know them and the work they do in different departments.. During this meeting Pamunugama YMCA delegates introduced themselves and the work of Pamunugama YMCA. There were also two rounds of meetings with leading secretaries of Minich YMCA Mr. Joe and Mr. Stephan regarding the future of the partnership and possible activities for future including a visit from Munich YMCA delegation for a longer period. Sri Lankan friends dinner with young people who visited Pamunugama YMCA during last three years refreshed the great memories had by both parties and renew bonds and friendships. Visit to the second Major of Munich City council together with Munich YMCA delegates was a great experience and had the opportunity of spending around 20 minutes talking to her and sharing a little about Pamunugama YMCA. She also explained the work of City Council for the people of Munich. 

Sri Lankan Friends Dinner

During the visit Pamunugama YMCA delegates visited number of activities and different programmes organized by the YMCA of Munich. Munich YMCA conduct number of programmes for children and teenagers based around two youth centers run by the YMCA of Munich incorporation with the Munich City Council. It was a great experience to see two of their annual events My Planet and Dauerpewer. It was exciting to see how Munich YMCA promotes Christian living through activity based programmes for children and teenagers. Pamunugama YMCA delegates also had discussions and visits to departments of family work, Youth Centers and University students related activities.

Pamunugama YMCA delegates also had the opportunity of visiting several beautiful sites in Munich. City tours within Munich, trip to Berg and hiking, day trip to Augsburg were a navel experience and a great opportunity to see the German nature, culture and the history. During the 13 days long trips, Pamunugama YMCA delegates together with Munich friends attended several worship sessions and holly masses including at YMCA, St Mathew's Church and St. Michael's Church.

At the end on the day before of departure, there was a farewell dinner at Youth Life Center with the participation of staff and volunteers. Group also had a short evaluation on the 13 days spent in Munich.

Pamunugama YMCA extends its gratitude to Munich YMCA staff and volunteers who have spent a lot of much time and energy arranging different programmes, visits and meetings for Pamunugama YMCA delegation and look forward to continues friendship.

Evaluation and farewell gathering

Visit to Augsburg 

Annual Concert 2019

Annual Concert 2019 of Pamunugama YMCA was held on 08 December 2019 at its Main Hall in front of an audience of over 200. Children attached to Pre-School, Makalause Dream School and Children's Club performed in the concert. There were over 20 colorful performances including dances, dramas and singing. 

Rev Sister Patric was the chief guest while President of Pamunugama YMCA, Mr Nimantha and Grama Niladhari (village headman) were the special guests. There were several Board Members, relatives and villagers among the audience.

YMCA thank the teachers and leaders who trained children for their items and the members who helped to make this event a reality. Parents also played a big role in preparing their children for this moment.

Click here for More Pictures

Makalause Dream School Food Fair

Opening blessings and prayer

Students of the Makalause Dream School for Specially Abled organized a food fair on November, 2019 at the Delathura St. Rogus Church Premises. 

Allowing students to experience a fair and to learn how to act accordingly was the objective of organizing the event. Funds raised from the event will be utilized for the scheduled 3 day outdoor camp in December. 

Invitees, villagers and relatives came to the fair and encouraged children by purchasing food items from them. Parish Priest of Delathura St Rogus Church and the Principal of Delathura graced the opening of the fair. 

Parents helped students

Food corner

Pre-School Fair

Pre-school kids with the support of teachers and parents organized their annual fair on Saturday 09 November, 2019 near the community Hall, Seththappaduwa.

Kids had different stalls of food, fruits, drinks and etc. Relatives, invitees and neibours came and purchased items from kids encouraging their effort. Funds raised from the fair will be utilized for their Annual Concert to be held on 08 December, 2019.

Makalause Dream Celebrates 1st Anniversary

"Makalause Dream" YMCA School for specially abled celebrated its 1st Anniversary on 05 November, 2019. With the support of YMCA YWCA Scouts on Bronnoysund and Y Global, YMCA of Pamunugama started the school on 05 November, 2018  to provide the opportunity for educational access and life skill training for the students with special needs. 

At the beginning there were 8 students and currently 15 students receive benefits from the school. Marking the 1st Anniversary, a Thanksgiving Holy Mass was held at the school premises with the participation of students, parents and YMCA friends and well-wishes. Following the holy mass, there was also a tea party to celebrate the day.

YMCA of Pamunugama thank the leaders of YMCA/YWCA Scouts of Bronnoysund and Y Global for their continues support to run the school. We also wish to extend a special thank to staff who has contributed immensely for the success of the school and the Makalause Dream Task Committee for their guidance and advises.

YMCA children painted Pamunugama sky with beautiful kite

Pamunugama YMCA children attached to the Pre-School, Children's Club and Makalause Dream School for Specially Abled gathered at to the beach in Kepungoda to fly kites today (20. 10. 2019)

It was held as a competition where kids had to design a kite with a message of Ethnic and Religious Harmony. Children also had to make the kites without using plastic and polythene mixed materials. There were 40 kites and the winners were awarded with cash prices under several categories including the largest kite and most creative kite.

Special cash prices were awrded to the winners of the Pre-School and the Makalause Dream School. Over 100 people gathered for the event. 

Pamunugama YMCA at Go Green Challenge

Go Green Challenge was organized by Janathakshan and Municipal Council of Negombo in corporation with several other organizations including YMCA of Pamunugama. Go Green Challenge was a Treasure Hunt held in Negombo on 19 October, 2019.

Event was started at 9.30 am from the Negombo Municipal Ground and ended at Negombo Beach Park in the evening. 22 groups  of 4 members representing several organizations, youth clubs actively took part in the event. There were 3 teams from the YMCA of Pamunugama also participated.

During the day, teams had to go through number of challenges. Activities were planned by the organizers in order for the participants to learn about environmental conservation or either to educate the public whom the groups had to mingle with during the day's activities. Making an speech on environmental conservation in a public transportation bus, learning how to separate different types of plastic waste for recycling, taking part in several physically challenged activities,talking to a community working with dry fish industry on how to convert their industry into a more environmental friendly manner and visiting hotels and to learn about their environmental friendly practices were among some of the activities.

YMCA of Pamunugama thank Janathakshan for inviting Pamunugama YMCA to be a partner of this event and giving the opportunity to both participate and to assist with organizing the event.

Makalause Dream School - Evaluation and Parents gathering

Makalause Dream School (School for Specially Abled) was started on 05 November, 2018 and soon the school will celebrate its 1st anniversary. 13 Parents, two teachers, and YMCA staff today (08.10.2019) gathered at the school premises to evaluate the progress of the school and to explore the lessons learn during the past year. 

Mr. Dileepa Wanniarachchi a motivational trainer and an advisory from the Born To Win Relations Training Institute facilitate the discussion with parents and the YMCA staff. During the discussion parents shared the positive progresses their children are making as a result of attending the school. Parents also shared their life challenges related to their children and Mr. Wanniarachchi gave certain tips to over come them and to make those challenges a blessing. 

Parents thanked YMCA of Pamunugama, Bronnoysund KFUK FKUM Scouts as well as Y Global for their backing and finalcial support to run the school.

Training for Children's Programme Leaders

Children's Programmes are a major component of the YMCA activities as it is the place to groom youth leaders and eventually the leaders for the YMCAs. Pamunugama YMCA gives priority to its Children's Programmes conducting different activities under Children's Club, Scout Programmes and Guiding activities.

Working with children is always a joy and it has to be done with a lot of care and sensitivity as a children's programme leader could totally change the future of a child who comes to the YMCA by being an example as well as a good leader, mentor and a guide. YMCA works with many children comes from different economic, social and family background. Therefore Children's Club leader must have a knowledge to understand and identify the children separately and give attention to each and every child. 

YMCA of Pamunugama conducted a training for Children's Programme leaders from 13 - 15 September, 2019 at the YMCA of Pamunugama. 18 leaders representing YMCA of Pamunugama, YMCA of Negombo and YMCA of Nugegoda participated the training.

During the training children received knowledge on Different Children's Programmes, YMCA, Understandning children and dealing with their issues. It was also an opportunity to build up a network of Children's Programme leaders within the participated YMCAs. Several YMCA leaders as well as outside resource persons joint the activity to facilitate session.

YMCA of Pamunugama extend a special thank to the KFUM KFUK Speiderne (YMCA YWCA Scouts in Asker) for contributing with financial support for the programme.

What is YMCA - Session by Roger

Different games and songs for Children - Session by Dhanuka

Programmes for Children and who is a leader - Session by Aruna

Understanding a Child and their problems - Session by Dr. Duglas

Holiday Camp for Children's Club

During the month of August, Sri Lankan students have their longest school vacation. Most of the children's club members spent time playing and hanging around in the YMCA with friends during their free time. 

To add more meaning to their free time YMCA organized a holiday camp for these children from 30th August - 01 September 2019. Children started the camp on 30th morning after putting up tents and raising the YMCA flag in the YMCA backyard. Camp was planned by the youth leaders in the YMCA keeping in mind the main objective of YMCA which is providing inputs to children for their physical, mental and spiritual development.

During the camp children watched a movie Thala (inspirational story of a group of students and their teacher), Had bible studies every evening and shared about Jesus, Environmental activities (collecting over 3000 pet bottles for recycling from the beach), played sport (kubb tournament). There were also a campfire, number of games and activities to provide entertainment.

Children enjoyed the programme very much and YMCA of Pamunugama thank all the youth leaders who contributed for the success of the event.

Kub Tournament

Pet bottle collection

Time for cooking

Pre-School trip to Kandy

Pre-School students of the YMCA of Pamunugama had a picnic on 18 August, 2019. Picnic is an annual event to give the opportunity to students to expose to the nature and outside world. They went to Pinnawala elephant orphanage, Dalada Maligawa, and to Peradeniya botanical garden.

44 including students, teachers and family members of the students joined the picnic. This was also a great opportunity for the family members of the students to get to know each other. 

At Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage 

Friendship Camp - Visit of Pamunugama YMCA delegates to Norway

Souvenirs 

YMCA YWCA Scouts of Bronnoysund in Norway biennially organizes the International Friendship Camp at the Opsjon Camp Center in Bronnoysund. This year the camp was held from 01 - 10 August with a participation of over 250 Scouts from Norway, Sweden, Rusia and Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan group consisted of 29 scouts and delegates representing Jaffna St. Jones College, Island Rovers Moratuwa, Mencap Nuwara Eleiya, YMCA of Pamunugama. 

8 member group from Pamunugama included 3 scouts (Sinesh, Sahan, Maleesha), 1 Girl Guide (Janisha), Scout Leader (Dhanuka), One teacher (Uththara) and two students (Naduni, Tharusha) from Makalause Dream School for Specially Abled. Group left on 30th July and returned to Sri Lanka on 17th August 2019. Following the camp held from 1 - 10 August group enjoyed the home hospitality and site-seeing around beautiful city of Bronnoysund. 

During the camp Pamunugama delegates had the opportunity to actively involve in camp activities such as hike, campfires and so many outdoor activities among other campers from Norway and other countries. 

It was the first international exposure for the Makalause Dream School run by YMCA of Pamunugama together with Bronnosund Scouts and Y Global. Two students with the guidance of the teacher completed the visit with joy and so much of experiences. Leaving all the barriers behind they also actively involved with the camp activities and other programmes during their stay. On the last day in Norway our Scout friend from Asker visited the Pamunugama delegates and arranged a wonderful outing with dinner.  

YMCA of Pamunugama wish to extend our gratitude to Bronnoysund Scouts and leaders including Kirsten and Jens Kristian who made this long journey a reality.

Teacher and two students from Makalause Dream School

At the Katunayake Airport

Performing on the stage

Pamunugama flag at the campsite

Morning flag hoisting in the at the Camp

Final evening in Norway with Rolf

Friendship Trophy to Pamunugama

Pamunugama team with the trophy

First edition of the Annual Friendship Cricket series between YMCAs of Pamunugama and Negombo was held on 17 August 2019 at Thillanduwa School Ground. 

YMCA of Pamunugama team clinched the series winning two Eight over per side matches to one against the Negombo YMCA team. Pamunugama team was captained by Dilshan and the Negombo 2team was led by Jeffry. It was a historical day as this event is going to be a annual activity between Pamunugama and Negombo YMCAs. 

Winners were awarded with a beautiful trophy made in Mahogany wood and the same to be used in the next year. 

Even though only one team walked away with the trophy, all who participated the match and the two YMCAs were the winners as the whole purpose of having this programme is to bring young people from two YMCAs together in brotherhood and YMCA spirit.

Two teams together

Action time

Pamunugama captain received the trophy from Negombo YMCA G.S.