The Peace
Tour started from Pamunugama YMCA on 15 August at 05.00 am with 25 youth
representing the YMCAs of Matara and Pamunugama and youth from Moratuwa.
The youth
from Batticaloa could not join the programme due to a communication problem for
which the Pamunugama YMCA apologisesd to the Batticaloa YMCA.
The first
stop was at the Vavuniya YMCA for lunch.
Mr. Solomon,
President of the Vavuniya YMCA has organised a welcome for the youth from the
south together with his colleagues, youth club members and the staff. The
Christian fellowship was experienced by all gathered through sharing a meal
followed by music with the Vavuniya YMCA young musicians. After lunch the
President, who was the Additional Director of Education (Vavuniya Zone) shared his knowledge and experience about the
problems faced by the youth in Vavuniya. He was of the view, although a
development in infrastructure, education
and employment is taking place, still the people are not completely find it
peaceful in their minds as the effects of war are troubling their minds. A new
problem is raising its head in the area in the form of drug menace. The most affected by the war –
women and children are still trying to find out their future among the broken
pieces of hope and happiness.
It was
around 05.00 pm when the Peace Tour reached Pandaterruppu where they were
warmly received by Ratnavel Master of
the Pandateruppu YMCA. The youth were accommodated at the YMCA and Master’s
house itself. After the dinner the purpose of the Peace Tour was further
explained and the details of the programme on the following day was discussed.
16 August 2014
A
Shramadana was conducted to clean and
paint the nursery house of the YMCA and the electricity connection was supplied
to the satisfaction and happiness of the Pandateruppu YMCA community. The nursery
is serving 38 children assisted by 3
instructors.
After
completing the shramadana work the youth were taken round the peninsula to see
the life of the Jaffna people. First they visited the Budhist shrine at
Dambakola Patuna where Sangamiththa Terani supposed to had landed with the
Sacred Bo Tree. From there they proceeded to Karainagar and saw the
Naguleswaran Hindu Temple. Finally the youth enjoyed the opportunity of bathing
in the famous Casurina Beach.
Final Session
Dinner was
followed by sharing of experience.
Ratnavel
Master shared his experience in building up the Pandateruppu YMCA. How they
started as a sports club (same as the Pamunugama YMCA) ; raising funds for their community work through renting out
chairs and cutlery. Their main service to the community has been and is suppoting
the farmers – especially through a seed onion bank.
YMCA
building was constructed in the land of 35 perches donated by Ratnavel Master.
Funds came from the earnings through renting out chairs and cutlery. When they
approached 50 farmers for a donation of one cement bag each the farmers
responded with 10 cement bags each. Such was the reputation earned by the YMCA.
During the
national crisis period (1979-2009) people including Ratnavel Master had to
leave Pandateruppu and live elsewhere. Ratnavel Master went to Kilinochchi and
worked for a German NGO (CNH). He has been looking after 150 children either
orphaned or separated from their parents; facing hardships including lack of
food and health-care and living in bunkers. They were lucky to get hold of food
items left by WHO staff who left in
haste to save themselves.
Finally the
army took the children to an IDP camp and on their way to the camp the vehicles
were attacked wounding several including Ratnavel Master and killing two people. At the camp the children
were helped to find their parents and a few whose parents have either dead or
fled found shelter in an orphanage.
The youth
were alarmed to hear the sharing and expressed their respect to the Master and
thanked him and the members and staff of
the Pandateruppu YMCA for keeping up the
YMCA flame burning through the difficult period. Finally with exchange
of souvenirs and gifts for the poor students in the area and offering thanks
for the wonderful hospitality offered by
Ratnavel Master and the Pandateruppu YMCA the “Peace Tour” organised by the
Pamunugama YMCA ended with a sing-song fiesta.
This
Programme was funded through the Peace Maker Joint Project of the YMCA of
Pamunugama together with the Y Global of Norway.
Reported by
Shelton Peiris
Pamunugama
YMCA
Genuine Reconciliation Process is the only way forward for a country which has gone through a war for 3 decades. Distrust, pain, and tears created through decades of fighting can be only wiped-off by extending genuine forgiveness to one and other and restoring justice for all. People of the country itself are the best resource to power the process of reconciliation. YMCA being a people's Association has taken the responsibility of mobilizing young people in the movement and outside to take-up this gigantic challenge ahead of us. YMCA have faith in young people as Great Nelson Mandela said that "A
cause supported by youth cannot fail".
