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.

Promising start to the Children's Club Cricket Team

Cricket is a great game that can attract many in Sri Lanka. Beauty of cricket is that everyone love this game and in the YMCA you all are welcome to play this game weather you are good or bad in the game.

Newly formed YMCA of Pamunugama Children's Club Cricket team played their first Friendly  matches (10.08.2019) at Kepungoda Ground against the Cricket team of the St. Antony's Alter Boys Club.

YMCA team won their first two games and secured the best of three series with 2 consecutive wins. Mishen led the YMCA team and it was a great team effort. Matches were played despise heavy rain interruptions. YMCA team will continue to work as a team and actively involve in sport activities as well as other YMCA programmes.,

We look forward to come with a team uniform at the next tournament. Those who would like to help these sportsmen buying their uniform please contact YMCA of Pamunugama. Each set will cost around Rs 2,000/= (USD 8).

Working to minimize the rain damage to the pitch

Two captains with the tost

Mishen in action with the ball

Malindu did well with the ball

Sanuka was great today with the ball