Pamunugama & Munich YMCAs are on a Christian Mission

Triangular partnership between Pamunugama, Munich and Salem YMCAs began last year to emphasies the Christian aspects of the YMCA work and to promote the original idea of starting the YMCA movement by George Williams way back in 1844. Under this mission, there were a a chain of activities conducted last year in February and followed up with number of bible studies and online meetings by local youth in Pamunugama.

At the moment a 4 member group (Uli, Martin, Jonathan and Anna) of volunteers from Munich YMCA are in Pamunugama to conduct another joint event. Group arrived on 15the March and they were welcomed by Pamunugama YMCAs with a welcome meeting held at the YMCA Pamunugama.

First major activity of the programme is a training for leaders of Pamunugama YMCA. topics such as faith, salvation, discipleship and bible study methods are being discussed at the programme which started on yesterday (17. 03. 2018) and it is to be concluded today (18. 03. 2018) 

Training for parents on First Aid

Parents of the Pamunugama YMCA Pre-School kids went through a training on basic First Ait at the YMCA of Pamunugama on 28 February, 2018. Session was led by the visiting students of the Peace Maker Class of Sunnfjord Folk High School in Forde in Norway.

Bronnoysund Scouts in Pamunugama

19 scouts who are currently in Sri Lanka visited Pamunugama on 28th Feb and 01 March, 2018. Group were welcomed by the Board members and Youth members with a welcome dinner held at Green Banks Dungalpitiya. On the next day group met scouts and guides of Pamunugama YMCA and enjoyed a boat trip in the Negombo lagoon. They did not forget to enjoy the nice beach in Kepungoda and to have a sea bath together with Pamunugama YMCA friends. Bronnoysund Scout Group was led by Kirsten Ostagaard and her husband Jens Kristian. There were also 3 scouts from Island Rovers Scout group of Moratuwa joined the visit accompanying the Bronnousynd Scouts,

During the visit Bronnoysund scouts extended an invitation to Pamunugama YMCA to participate at their next friendship camp t be held in 2019. Pamunugama YMCA thank Bronnoysund Scouts for visiting Pamunugama and look forward to meet again.

Day Trip to a Scout Camp

All together..!

17 Scouts, 13 Girl Guides with 7 leaders of Pamunugama YMCA visited a Scout Camp organized by Island Rovers together with 5th Moratuwa Scout Troop and YMCA/YWCA Scouts of Bronnoysund, Norway. 17 member group from St. Jones College Jaffna were also among the campers which was held in Erathna, Kuruvita.

Pamunugama YMCA scouts and guides left Pamunugama early in the morning on 25th February and arrived around 8.30 am in the Campsite. During the visit Pamunugama YMCA Scouts and Guides joined various activities including games and a campfire. 

Meeting with Jaffna Scouts

Catch if you can! Enjoying a game.

It was a nice lunch, nice background too....!

Campfire...

Pamunugama leaders having a game and providing entertaintment.

Scouts night

Scouts of Pamunugama YMCA organized a one night camp at the YMCA grounds on 12th February, 2018. 18 scouts from 4 patrols took apart in this day out. During the event they cooked, entertained at the campfire and slept in tents. They also were able to learn camp disciplines and the team spirit. 

Scout leader Danuka and other staff led the programme. Pamunugama YMCA is in a process of strengthening the scout group and welcome all students aged 11 - 16 to join the future activities. Girls Scouts also are planing for a 4 night camp during next month at the same venue.    

Second group of Peace Makers from Sunnfjord Folk High School Arrived

Mr. Ainsley Joseph explaining the Post War situation

Peace Maker is a special class of Sunnfjord Folk High School in Forde in Norway to train peace builders and Pamunugama YMCA is their local partner in organizing the filed visit. First group of the Peace Maker Class came to Sri Lanka in October, 2017 spend two months.  Second group which consists of seven students and their teacher, Ms Dilanka Fernando arrived in Sri Lanka on 17 January 2017. They are scheduled to stay in Sri Lanka till 10 March, 2017. 

They started their educational tour with an orientation to the Sri Lankan post war situation with Mr. Ainsley Joseph on 18th January. Then they joined a day camp with the children's club of Pamunugama YMCA on 20 January, 2017. 

Currently they are in  Jaffna visiting special places and learning about ground situation related to post war situation. 

Mr. Nuwan and Dilanka relaxing on the way to Jaffna by train

Mr. Aruna (Coordinator) guiding students in Jaffna

Day camp with Kids

Game of carrom at YMCA

All enjoyed lunch together