Pamunugama and Moratuwa together "Finding Ourselves" Youth Camp"

25 youth from Moratuwa and Pamunugama gathered at the Samanala Bungalow  from 19 - 21 April, 2013 in Maskeliya. Youth started their journey to Maskeliya by a hired old looking bus in the morning on 19th and stopped on the way in Kithulgala for lunch and a bath. Everything went well except the rice did not come perfect as it was too little experience among the group boiling rice for a larger group. It was a lot of fun swimming and it gave the opportunity to get to know the new faces. Finally the group arrived at Samanala Bangalow in Maskeliya a little later that expected.

It was a surprise that the Bungalow was a old house used by British which is still well maintained by the Estate owners as a bungalow for managers in the estate. Group only  had time to discuss the objectives of attending the event before they felt on sleep after a long day.On 20th Morning group started discussing about the current state of youth in the local YMCAs and the challengers they have within and the outside of the YMCA to function as active and responsible youth. Then the group was led by Udara Devmi, a youth from Pamunugama YMCA who is a Member of the World Allince of YMCA "Change Agent" Programme with a session on the imporatance of being together and networking to wake up the sleeping Giant the "YMCA".After the lunch group went through a session of Activities where they learnt from each other on leadership and working together. 

Next it was the time to learn about the YMCA. Youth went into smaller groups and came up with five questions from each group about the YMCA which the group did not know about the YMCA from before. Questions were answered by the experience leaders sitting on a circle together on the garden which had a fabulous background where Adam's Peak was clearly visible.After the dinner group sat together and started a round of singing the favorite songs selected by each participant. It was fun and interesting thoughts came out from the youth when they opened-up themselves talking why they liked those songs.

Next day the last but not the least, groups started working on listing out the activities they need to implement to promote youth participation. Two youth clubs will discuss more and short list the programmes they discussed once they return back to their groups. Meanwhile a smaller group worked with preparing a document to be forwarded to the National Council of the YMCAs suggesting to broaden the youth activities to promote more youth and participation  in the National Level.

Before everyone enjoyed the last meal in the programme group went thorugh a evaluation where participants expressed their view on the programme which emphasized the participatory method used in the programme. Moratuwa and Pamunugama youth came to a mutual understanding that we need to work together and to stand for each other in promoting youth participation on different forums.