Pamunugama Scouts Leaders on a hike

Scouts department of the National Council of YMCAs organised a hike in the Kanneliya Forest Reserve in Galle from 18 - 20 March 2011. There were 4 scout leaders, Pramudu, Asela, Nirmala and Sudeepi joint the hike representing YMCA of Pamunugama. At the moment YMCA of Pamunuga is in the process of promoting scouting in the Wattala branch of the YMCA Pamunuga and in the Gomarankadawela area where YMCA conducts several development programmes.

More leaders from different YMCAs were expected for the hike, but unfortunately only 9 scouts representing Negombo and Pamunugama YMCAs joint the hike. YMCA of Pamunugama would like to thank National Council for organising such out door activities for local scouts leaders which will enhance them with experiences and the ability to face challenges in the their scout carriers.

Pamunugama YMCA youth to work with “Logos”

Ship “Logos”, world’s largest floating library ship will be here in Colombo harbor from 4^th April to 9^th May this year and the YMCA is going to work closely with the staff of the ship during their stay in Sri LAnka. Two of our youth Shivankara and Tanya have been selected to work in the ship while Nisala (youth member) will join a youth programme in the ship. Meanwhile YMCA of Pamunugama is arranging the following programmes pararel to this event together with the crew members.

10 April - Musical programme

11 April - Beach cleaning Shramadana

12 April - Children and youth camp

Successfull visit to Norway

Three delagates from YMCA of PAmunugama including President Shelton Peiris, General Secretary Ranjith Fonseka and the ICY Coordinator Dilanka visited Norway from 3rd March 2011 to 12th March 2011. Main purpose of the visit was to attend a meeting together with ICY Oslo delagates to plane out a joint project proposal to be submitted to the Norwegian Youth and Children Council for up coming three years.
Group spend 3 days with intense meeting from 4-6 March at Y global office planing the proposl. After the meeting group visited scouts friends in Brønnøysund for 3 days and returned back to Asker Scout partner friends for a 3 day programme where they were hosted by Asker Scouts.
During the visit group got the oppertunity to discuss further on the future plans for partnerships and briefly met the new International Director of the Y global of Norway as well.

Visit to the flood hit friends in Gomarankadawela

08 - 11 February President Shelton Peiris with Dilanka (Youth leader) accompanied the visitors from Norway (2 delegates from Førde Folk High School) and China (youth) to Horowpathana. Although they wanted to go to G'kadawala it was not possible due to floods which has made roads impassable. We had to turn back at Horowpathana. However, we were able to witness the damage done by the  floods. Houses damaged, cultivations destroyed, villages seperatedfrom the rest of the country, etc.. We handed over provisions worth Rs 54,000. to Rev. Piayarthana Thero of Horowpathana to be distributed among the victims. Earlier we delivered provisions to the value of Rs.32,000. to be districbuted among the Ottachchakulama victims through Rev. Sumanasara Thero of G'kadawala. We even assisted Thuraineelavanai YMCA with 50 school bags for their nursery kids (Rs.12,000.). In these efforts were supported by the NCY, Bronnoysund scouts and Asker scouts.

• Visit of Ms Jorun Knapstad and Mr. Rider of Norway

http://www.srilanka-ymca.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13

They can dance!

Oriental Dancing class is one of the most popular-on going programmes at the Pamunugama YMCA. On 13 February 2011 the students had their ceremonial public presentation in the YMCA hall, attended by their family members, YMCA members and the public. It was a colourful event marked by skills and enthusiasm of the young dancers.  The audience was enthralled by the combination of enchanting music, exciting dances, reverberation of oriental drums and the glittering costumes. The President and the National General Secretary of the NCYSL  graced the occasion as Chief Guests. while friends from Norway / China too witnessed same.

Visit to Children's Home

Staff and the youth of the YMCA visited the Children's Home Pamunugama on 31 Janury, 2011. YMCA youth and staff visits this place annually. Every year the National Council of YMCAs of Sri Lanka sponsors this visit providing with gifts and this year also they provided gifts. Before the gifts were distributed children in the Children's Home showed their talents to the YMCA delegates. They danced and sang songs. We thank the NCYSL for providing forty five gifts and Mr. Sheminie Niles for donating gifts to the NCYSL for poor kids lives in the Children's Home.
Sherminie Niles