YMCA Response to Covid 19 - 1st Round of Dry Rations Distribution

YMCA of Pamunugama has launched a Dry Ration Distribution Project to help the poor in the area. Due to the existing curfew regulations many people have lost their livelihood specially those who survived on daily wages. Under the first round, 80 families received dry ration packets (Value of 1 pack: Rs 1,245/=) at the YMCA today (02 April, 2020). 

Beneficiaries were selected from the marginalized families in the area. YMCA of Pamunugama is launching this project with the support of Asker YWCA-YMCA Scouts in Norway, National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka and several individual well-wishers. 

Several Board Members, women leaders and government representation from thr Negombo Divisional Secretariat attended the handing over of dryration packets at the YMCA. YMCA of Pamunugama look forward to continue this project with few more rounds of distributions.

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YMCA of Pamunugama Response to Covid 19 - Initial Response

Donation of tools to Negombo Hospital

YMCA of Pamunugama is currently involving with different activities to combat Covid 19 crisis. Negombo Cirizen'a Group is our main network in carrying out our mission at this hour with a special focus on the village where we situated. 

We are also in close connection with local authorities and the hospital in the area. On the request, on 24 March 2020 we donated few tools including a heat gun, 2 irons and tapes to the workshop in the Negombo Hospital where they produce safety suits for the staff who deal with Covid 19 suspected patients. We also have produced around 1500 masks to be distributed among authoroties and villagers for their safety together with the Negombo Citizen's Group. Due to the high demand masks, price has gone high and become a scarcity. Currently there is curfew in the country and people who worked for daily wages are struggling to finance their families and food supply chain has been disrupted. YMCA of Pamunugama is currently mobilizing resources to distribute dry rations packets among those who are with financial hardships. 

Even though we had to close down certain programmes in the YMCA due to health reason, we can not close down the mission of the YMCA as many around us are in need of our help. We invite all our friends and YMCA family to join together to response to this Global Crisis as one family in Christ.

Produced over 1500 Face Masks

Distribution of Face Masks among villagers

Founder's Day Celebration

Worldwide in nearly all Scout associations, Founders' Day is celebrated on February 22, the birthday of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell (born in 1857), the founder of Scouting, and coincidentally also of his wife Olave Baden-Powell (born in 1889).

Scouts who met on 22 February 2020 celebrated the day with their leaders. Scouts learnt about Baden Powell and had a very tipical Sri Lankan meal (sweet potatoes and Coconut Samble). There were 25 scouts joined the celebration.

Kubb Tournament

YMCA of Pamunugama proudly play kubb as we consider ourselves as the group who introduced kubb as a competitive game in Sri Lanka for the first time  back in 2015. Since then members of Pamunugama YMCA play kubb regularly and also introduced it to number of communities and groups. Children's Club members of the Pamunugama YMCA had a Kubb tournament on 21 February, 2020 at the YMCA premises. It was a red day in the school calender and children came to the YMCA in the morning and played kubb in teams of 3 members in each team. 

Groups were devided during the previous Scout meeting and there were 7 teams. Games were played according to a 7 seven team draw where one team had a bye in the first round. Teams led by Maleesha and Sammani qualified for the final match and the team led by Maleesha won. Winners were awarded with sweets as gifts. Kubb is a great game both for fun and competitiveness. If you want to learn kubb or introduce to a community or a group you are attached, feel free to contact us. 

Understanding children for a better relationship - Training for parents

25 Parents of the children attached to the Pre-School and the Childrens Club of the YMCA of Pamunugama participated a training session on the captioned topic organized by the YMCA of Pamunugama. It was held on 15 February, 2020 at the YMCA Main Hall.

Due to various outside forces and influences the relationships between children and parents have been challenged severely. This situation is leading the society into a dangerous situation. Due to lack of good relationship, children have become easy victims of various opportunistic groups in the society. During the training it was discussed on understanding children from their perspective to maintain a better child-parent relationship. It was also discussed on how parents could be a strength to their children in their education and day today lives positively and constructively. It was a great opportunity for the YMCA of Pamunugama to build up a better relationship with the parents as their role will be crucial in continuing the work that YMCA of Pamunugama do with their children.

Discussion was led by Mr. Dileepa Wanniarachchi of Born to Win Relationships Training Institution.

National Day Celebration at Pamunugama YMCA

National Day, also known as Independence Day, is a Sri Lankan national holiday celebrated annually on 4 February to commemorate the country’s political independence from British rule in 1948. It is celebrated all over the country through a flag-hoisting ceremony, dances, parades and performances.

Children of Pamunugama YMCA gathered at the YMCA to celebrate this special day with a day Camp. Programme started with flag hoisting and then watched a movie on the Independence. Following the movie there was a quiz competition on independence. Children also made lunch in groups and played Elle (national game) in the afternoon. 20 children's club members and 14 Pre-school kids took part in the event.