Thank you Taniya and May God Bless You!

Taniya Jayamanne resigns from the YMCA after a dedicated service of 7 years since 2006.  

Small farewell gathering for Taniya was held on 1 October, 2012 at the YMCA. Several YMCA members and staff attended the event. We the YMCA of Pamunugama appreciate the great contribution she has made to the YMCA of Pamunugama and to the entire YMCA movement.

People leaving for greener pastures is not something strange - yet not easy to bear.

You are one who has given the best for a cause - the cause of the YMCA.

You have worked with dedication making sacrifices all the way.

You have worked hard in realizing the goals which you too believe worthwhile.

Your efforts have brought good results for those who expect services from the YMCA

and honor and respect for the YMCA while promoting its purpose.

You have the qualities of openness, perseverance, fearlessness and humbleness.

All these will be helpful to you  in building your life into a strong family.

We believe the YMCA too added many good things to your life enriching it.

You will be correctly rewarded for what you have given for the others.

You have set your mark in the YMCA records as a girl - a dedicated girl.

Mere words of thanks will not suffice to compensate a person's hard-work.

Therefore, please believe we have an appreciation for you in our hearts and minds.

You will be remembered and be a subject of discussion in the YMCA activities for a long time to come.

God Bless you for the good work you have done.

God Bless your life and future bringing success in all good things that you (both) do.

New Group of farmers joins YMCA for Organic Farming

Group of YMCA leaders (7) of the YMCA of Pamunugama visited Gomarankadawela and Ottichchakulama areas last weekend (28-30) October. Group spend the first night after a exciting drive through the heavy jungle on either sides of the road on the way to Ottichchakulama. Small gravel road leads to Ottichchakulama is full of Elephants during night time. 

YMCA leaders spend the night at the community center built by the YMCA after a nice chat with villages under the shade of moonlight. Next day morning group visited the YMCA work in the village including farming wells and organing farming. People of Ottichchakulama are been going under a tough time due to ongoing drought.

Next day morning group visited the Extra Educational classes at Medawachchiya Maha Vidyalaya supported by the Come-Share Foundation and coordinated by the YMCA of Pamunugama. Then the group proceeded to the Moragama Village. Moragama is a village where people being replaced after the war under the second phase. This village has not been supported by any NGO or any government institution. They are living under difficult circumstances due to the ongoing drought in  the area as well. YMCA distributed farming equipment worth Rs 3,000/= during this visit to 25 families in the area. Rev. Sumanasara the incumbent of the Medawachchiya temple accompanied the group for the visit to these families and Mr. Nalin and Mr. Lakpriya joined with the YMCA to share their knowledge on organic farming during the entire visit.

Guides and Pre-School Kids day-out

Pre-School kids with teachers

An an annual event, Girl Guides and Pre-School kids have their one-day picnic. This year also they went this trip on 15 September, 2012. Destinations for their trip this year were  Ratmalane Air force museum, Dehiwela National Zoo, and Viharamaha Devi Park.

Museum was interesting for kids where they had the chance of visiting model planes and many more old planes used by the Sri Lankan Air Force. Highlights of the Dehiwela Zoo the Elephant Dances.
10 girl guides joined this trip while there were 14 preschool kids along with their family members joined the day-out. All the kids enjoyed the day.

Elephant Dance

Girl Guides

Future of fishermen and tourism in Negombo

Mangroves are the most precious tree in any lagoon environment in Sri Lanka and in many tropical countries. This precious tree is in danger due to massive infrastructure developments with the raising tourism in the country especially around the Negombo lagoon.
As a result of the Web casting Workshop organized by the National YWCA, team consists of young people from YMCA and YWCA produced the following video on "Future of Fishermen and Tourism in Negombo". This video expresses the views of the communities affected in the area; a lawyer and an activist in Negombo contribute their views on the same issue.

YMCA takes Peralanda Prefects to the top!

Following the NCYSL 50th anniversary theme "Taking Youth to the TOP" Pamunugama YMCA organized a leadership training programme for the prefects of Peralanda St. Joseph Secondary School on 15 September, 2012 at their school. 28 Students joined the event and number of aspects of leadership was discussed and students were equipped with various leadership skills.

Dr. Duglas Hettiarachchi attended the event as a resource person for a session on identifying problems of the school while the other activities were conducted by YMCA Pamunugama leaders.

Training was followed with a colorful campfire with number of campfire activities where more students and teachers attended. Principal of the school thanked and appreciated the support extended the by the YMCA in making the event a success. All the children were awarded with a certificate for their participation.

Ape Sindu Patiya

Ape Sindu Patiya was a singalong organized by the YMCA of Pamunugama with the leadership of our Board Member Aruna Santha Nonis. Around 150 people fron different sectors including YMCA, University, NCYSL and friend from village attended the event. Event was decorated with number of songs and several dancing items.
Mr. Santha Fernando and NCYS EXCO member and his wife attended the event as chief guests while National General Secretary of the NCYSL also attended the event. Income of the event was reserved for the programmes of the YMCA of Pamunugama.

This was the first time that the YMCAof Pamunugama organized a such a event and the YMCA is hoping to have this event annually as a fundraising event for the YMCA.