Peace Tour began today!

24 young peopler from Pamunugama, Matara, Moratuwa are on the way to Jaffna on a Peace Tour. They left Pamunugama at 5.30 am and currently on the way. They were hosted by Vavuniya YMCA for the lunch and then they will continue their journey to Pandatereppu YMCA in the Jaffna Peninsula. In Pandatereppu, they will attend a Shramadana with the Pandatereppu youth and then have a site-seeing in the Peninsula. Tomorrow will further discuss with the people in pandatereppu on developing strong bonds between two groups in future.

YMCA Pamunugama expands the micro Finance Activities

3rd group of the YMCA of Pamunugama Micro Finance Project today (13. 08. 2014) received small loans to develop their family businesses. This group has been involved with the programme for last 3 months continuously doing savings with the YMCA.

Four of the five women received loans for purchasing fishing equipment as they are from traditional fishing families in the area while the other loan was taken for a small scale pig farm. This was the last group who joined for the prgramme along with the two other functioning groups.

School Holidays - Time t to go out!

As the school vacation started the children of Pamunugama YMCA have more time to be with the YMCA and to get socialize. Various programmes and outing are planned for the month including a walk, Trip to a rain forest, movie evenings during the month.

Today the members of the Children's Club and Girl Guides went on a walk to a near by chapel in Pamunugama area. They walked 8 Km up and down. This place is a newly build chapel close to the lagoon bordered to Muthurajawela.

Children spend  for couple of hours relaxing and chatting about the months plans while having a warm tea made by them. 

Local Youth Explore about Palestine - Israel Conflict

With the rising attacks on Gaza the number of civilian causalities has risen to an alarming level. Specially the children and women are being the main victims of the devastated bombing into all kinds of buildings in Gaza by the Israel forces while the Israel complains on Hammas attacks shelling. Being the YMCA youth group, who has friends and partners in Palestine, it is hard to imagine our response in this situation.

Youth in Pamunugama YMCA organized a two day workshop to learn about the current situation as well as the root courses for this long lasting conflict. Programme was held from 25 - 27 July, 2014 at Green Bank Dungalpitiya with a participation over 20 youth. 

Programme started with a biblical sharing which clearly showed, both communities has been inhabitants of the particular land. During the programme participants were able to gather information and knowledge on the history of the conflict which goes way back. Pamunugama YMCA youth member Priyan who has been a Young Peace Performer conducted a elaborated presentation to the history of the conflict as well as  latest dynamics such as wall, settlements, detention taking place with in the Palestinian lands. 

There were two live skype meetings with two of the Young Palestinians. Participants had number of questions for these two youth where they explained the current ground situation as well as the need for an international intervention to stop ongoing killing and attacks in Palestine.

Then Mr. Ainsley Joseph, the chairman of the Justice and Peace Committee of the National Council joined the youth group to lead a discussion to compare the similarities between the situation in Palestine annd Sri Lanka. He shared important information on  the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka and he requested the young people to be awareness on these types of sensitive national matters.

Peace Maker Project supports to Develop Leadership Skills

Leadership / Prefects Training was organized for 36 students in the Gomarankadawela area on 20 July, 2014. Programme was held in Medawachchiya Vidyalaya with the participation of students from Kivulekada and Medawachchiya Schools. 

This area has been severely effected during the 30 years of war as these areas trapped between gun-battles and various attacks. Leadership qualities and skills were discussed and practicallyt experienced through variouse group activities and games during the seminar.

Rev. Sumanasara Thero the principal of Medawachchiya Vidyalaya gave fullest cooperation in organizing the event. All the students who attended the event were awarded with a participation certificates. Peace Maker Joint Project of the YMCA of Pamunugama with Y global provided the financial support to organize the event.

Getting to know each other

Together we did it

Life is all about balancing

All students received a participation certificate

Drought has disturbed the lives of Life Agriculture Project Members and Many More..

YMCA Pamunugama visited the Life Agriculture Project Members in the Horowpothana on 19th July, 2014. During this visit we were able to witness the way that they have been effected from the ongoing drought in most of the parts in Sri Lanka in North Central and Eastern Province. Their Home Gardens have dried up and the paddy fields also severely effected due to the drought. During this visit YMCA discussed with the beneficiaries on the current challenges and the future activities to be taken place under the project. 

Group requested the YMCA to organize a training workshop on Investment and Savings Group management in the future. Exposure visit also will be organized to visit to Organic farming project to gain knowledge on the subject in near future.